[PROVINCE HEALTHCARE LOGO]

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                                             NEWS RELEASE
                                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                             CONTACT: MERILYN H. HERBERT
                                             VICE PRESIDENT, INVESTOR RELATIONS
                                             (615) 370-1377

                          PROVINCE HEALTHCARE APPOINTS
                  CHRISTOPHER T. HANNON CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

      Brentwood TN, October 23, 2002 - Province Healthcare Company (NYSE: PRV)
today announced that Christopher T. Hannon, Vice President and Treasurer of the
Company, has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
effective immediately. Mr. Hannon will succeed Stephen M. Ray, who is moving to
a consulting role in order to devote his full attention to family obligations.

      Martin S. Rash, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Province
Healthcare, said, "Steve Ray, who agreed to come out of retirement to work with
us, has made valuable contributions to the Company. We were fortunate to be able
to benefit from his significant financial expertise during an important period
in our growth. We respect his decision and appreciate his continuing as a
consultant on a part-time basis.

      I am very pleased to welcome Chris Hannon to his new role. Chris has
distinguished himself during his tenure with Province, having been central to
the Company's successful public offerings and responsible for banking
relationships, and he will continue to make important contributions to our
growth and success."

      Mr. Hannon, 40, who served as interim CFO of the Company in 2001, will be
responsible for all areas of finance for Province. He joined Province in 1996 as
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Before joining the Company, he was a
member of the Healthcare Group at Sun Trust Bank for 12 years, leaving as Vice
President of the group.

      Mr. Hannon earned a BBA in finance from the University of Georgia and a
MBA from Belmont University. He is a Certified Cash Manager (CCM) and a member
of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Mr. Hannon has been an
active supporter of the Nashville

community, currently serving as Chairman of the Farmers' Market Board and a past
Treasurer of the Tennessee Association to Prevent Blindness.

      Province Healthcare is a provider of health care services in attractive
non-urban markets in the United States. The Company owns or leases 20 general
acute care hospitals in 13 states with a total of 2,315 licensed beds. The
Company also provides management services to 35 primarily non-urban hospitals in
14 states with a total of 2,863 licensed beds.

CONTACT: MERILYN H. HERBERT, PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY (PRV) AT (615) 370-1377