FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Apr 02, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (NYSE:PDX) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Children's Heart Center, a pediatric cardiology physician practice based in El Paso, Texas.

Children's Heart Center was founded in 1999 by John S. Plowden, M.D., who provides outpatient pediatric cardiology services from a single office location and also treats patients at five El Paso-area hospitals. He joined Pediatrix to help his practice enhance patient services within the metropolitan area.

"Pediatrix offers a significant opportunity to improve the quality of care, which is the ability to have a partner to expand the availability of pediatric cardiology services within our community," said Dr. Plowden. "Pediatrix offers a different path from the small group practice, one that makes it easier for physicians to concentrate on patient care."

Pediatrix's national group of pediatric cardiologists now provides patient services in 14 metropolitan areas across the country. Pediatrix completed the El Paso acquisition for cash, and the practice is expected to contribute immediately to earnings per share.

About Pediatrix

Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. is the nation's leading provider of neonatal, maternal-fetal and pediatric physician subspecialty services and recently expanded to include anesthesiology services. Pediatrix physicians and advanced practitioners are reshaping the delivery of care within the maternal-fetal, neonatal intensive care and pediatric cardiology subspecialties, using evidence-based tools, continuous quality initiatives and clinical research to enhance patient outcomes and provide high-quality, cost-effective care. Founded in 1979, its neonatal physicians provide services at more than 240 neonatal intensive care units, and in many markets they collaborate with affiliated maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric cardiology physician subspecialists and pediatric intensivists to provide a clinical care continuum. Combined, Pediatrix and its affiliated professional corporations employ more than 1,050 physicians in 32 states and Puerto Rico. Pediatrix is also the nation's largest provider of newborn hearing screens. Additional information is available at www.pediatrix.com.

Certain statements and information in this press release may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our objectives, plans and strategies, and all statements (other than statements of historical facts) that address activities, events or developments that we intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are often characterized by terminology such as "believe", "hope", "may", "anticipate", "should", "intend", "plan", "will", "expect", "estimate", "project", "positioned", "strategy" and similar expressions, and are based on assumptions and assessments made by Pediatrix's management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and Pediatrix undertakes no duty to update or revise any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results, developments, and business decisions to differ materially from forward-looking statements are described in Pediatrix's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the section entitled "Risk Factors".

SOURCE: Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc.

Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., Fort Lauderdale
Bob Kneeley, Director, Investor Relations
954-384-0175, Ext. 5300
bob_kneeley@pediatrix.com