UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant  x

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

Check the appropriate box:

o  Preliminary Proxy Statement

o  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

o  Definitive Proxy Statement

o  Definitive Additional Materials

x  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x No fee required.

o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

     (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

     (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

     (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

     (5) Total fee paid:

o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule  0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1) Amount Previously Paid:

     (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

     (3) Filing Party:

     (4) Date Filed:

     This filing relates to a planned combination of Province Healthcare Company (“Province Healthcare”) and LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (“LifePoint Hospitals”) pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 15, 2004 (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among LifePoint Hospitals, Lakers Holding Corp., Lakers Acquisitions Corp., Pacers Acquisition Corp. and Province Healthcare, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 25, 2005 and Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 15, 2005.

     These materials were used on March 16, 2005, by Michael J. Culotta, the Chief Financial Officer of LifePoint Hospitals, at a presentation made during the SG Cowen & Co. 25th Annual Healthcare Conference on March 16, 2005.

******

     In connection with the proposed transaction, LifePoint Hospitals and Province Healthcare have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a joint proxy statement/prospectus, as part of a Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, and other relevant materials. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus has been mailed to the stockholders of LifePoint Hospitals and Province Healthcare, and special meetings of each company’s stockholders will be held March 28, 2005. Investors and security holders are advised to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials as they become available, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information about LifePoint Hospitals, Province Healthcare and the proposed transaction. In addition, the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed by LifePoint Hospitals or Province Healthcare with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by LifePoint Hospitals by contacting Investor Relations, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., 103 Powell Court, Suite 200, Brentwood, Tennessee, 37027, Phone: (615) 372-8500 and by Province Healthcare by contacting Investor Relations, Province Healthcare Company, 105 Westwood Place, Suite 400, Brentwood, Tennessee, 37027, Phone: (615) 370-1377.

     LifePoint Hospitals and Province Healthcare, and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from their respective stockholders with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Information about the directors and executive officers of LifePoint Hospitals, and their interests in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including their ownership of LifePoint Hospitals common stock, is set forth in the proxy statement for LifePoint Hospitals’ 2004 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 28, 2004. Information about the directors and executive officers of Province Healthcare, and their interests in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including their ownership of Province Healthcare common stock, is set forth in the proxy statement for Province Healthcare’s 2004 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 20, 2004. Investors and security holders may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC as they become available.

     This document may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, particularly those statements regarding the effects of the merger, reflect LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.’s and Province Healthcare Company’s current expectations and beliefs, are not guarantees of performance of LifePoint Hospitals or the newly formed combined entity and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. For example, such risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors include, without limitation, the possibility that (1) the companies may be unable to obtain the required stockholder or regulatory approvals; (2) problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the two companies; (3) the acquisition may involve unexpected costs; (4) the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies; (5) the businesses may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the acquisition; and (6) the combined company may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions. For a further discussion of these and other risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, see the joint proxy statement/prospectus and LifePoint Hospitals’ and Province Healthcare’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LifePoint Hospitals and Province Healthcare undertake no duty to update forward-looking statements.

Investor Presentation

Important Legal Information

The following presentation relates to a planned combination of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (“LifePoint Hospitals”) and Province Healthcare Company (“Province Healthcare”) pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 15, 2004, by and among LifePoint Hospitals, Lakers Holding Corp. (“Holding Corp.”), Lakers Acquisition Corp., Pacers Acquisition Corp. and Province Healthcare, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 25, 2005, as amended by Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 15, 2005. In connection with their proposed transaction, Holding Corp. has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a joint proxy statement/prospectus, as part of a Registration Statement on Form S-4, and other relevant materials. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus was mailed to the stockholders of LifePoint Hospitals and Province Healthcare. Investors and security holders are advised to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials when they become available, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information about Holding Corp., LifePoint Hospitals, Province Healthcare and the proposed transaction. In addition, the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed by LifePoint Hospitals or Province Healthcare with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Also, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by LifePoint Hospitals or Holding Corp. by contacting Investor Relations, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., 103 Powell Court, Suite 200, Brentwood, Tennessee, 37027, Phone: (615) 372-8500 and by Province Healthcare by contacting Investor Relations, Province Healthcare Company, 105 Westwood Place, Suite 400, Brentwood, Tennessee, 37027, Phone: (615) 370-1377.

LifePoint Hospitals and Province Healthcare, and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from their respective stockholders with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Information about the directors and executive officers of LifePoint Hospitals, and their interests in the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including their ownership of LifePoint Hospitals common stock, is set forth in the proxy statement for LifePoint Hospitals’ 2004 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 28, 2004, and in the joint proxy statement/prospectus. Information about the directors and executive officers of Province Healthcare, and their interests in the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including their ownership of Province Healthcare common stock, is set forth in the proxy statement for Province Healthcare’s 2004 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 20, 2004, and in the joint proxy statement/prospectus. Investors and security holders may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC.

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3 Forward-Looking Statements The following presentation includes forward-looking statements based on current management expectations. Numerous factors exist which may cause results to differ from these expectations. Many of the factors that will determine LifePoint Hospitals’ future results are beyond LifePoint Hospitals’ ability to control or predict with accuracy. Such forward-looking statements, particularly those statements regarding the effects of the proposed transaction, reflect LifePoint Hospitals’ current expectations and beliefs, are not guarantees of performance of LifePoint Hospitals or the newly formed combined entity and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forwardlooking statements. For example, such risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors include, without limitation, the possibility that: (1) the companies may be unable to obtain the required stockholder approvals; (2) problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the two companies; (3) the acquisition may involve unexpected costs; (4) the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies; (5) the businesses may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the acquisition; and (6) the combined company may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions. These forward-looking statements are also subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation: (i) reduction in payments to healthcare providers by government and commercial third-party payors, as well as cost-containment efforts of insurers and other payors; (ii) the possibility of adverse changes in, and requirements of, applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, including those required by our corporate integrity agreement; (iii) our ability to manage healthcare risks and the lack of state and federal tort reform; (iv) uncertainty associated with compliance with HIPAA regulations; (v) our ability to enter into and renew payor arrangements on acceptable terms; (vi) our ability to maintain and increase patient volumes and control costs; (vii) the availability, cost and terms of insurance coverage; (viii) the highly competitive nature of the healthcare business, including the competition to recruit and retain physicians; (ix) the ability to attract and retain qualified management and personnel; (x) the geographic concentration of our operations; (xi) our ability to acquire hospitals on favorable terms and to complete budgeted capital improvements successfully; (xii) our ability to operate and integrate newly acquired facilities successfully; (xiii) the availability and terms of capital to fund our business strategy; (xiv) changes in our liquidity or indebtedness; (xv) the potential adverse impact of government investigations and litigation involving the business practices of healthcare providers; (xvi) the successful development and license of software and management information systems; (xvii) changes in generally accepted accounting principles or practices; (xviii) volatility in the market value of our common stock; (xix) changes in general economic conditions and changes in the manner in which employers provide healthcare coverage to their employees; (xx) our reliance on information technology systems maintained by HCA Inc.; (xxi) our ability to comply with all aspects of the Sarbanes-Oxley law; and (xxii) those risks and uncertainties described from time to time in our filings with the SEC, including those related to the proposed transaction between LifePoint Hospitals and Province Healthcare. Therefore, our future results may differ materially from those described in this release. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking stat ements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

4 LifePoint and Province – A Natural Combination

Improves geographic diversification – 46 of 49 sole community providers ( 1)

Reduces financial dependency on any one
hospital

Creates significant critical mass

Incorporates shared strategies and values
unique to rural communities

Generates untapped opportunities for margin improvement including de novo projects and recent acquisitions

Creates opportunity for immediate and future synergies 1) The three non-sole community providers are Smith County Memorial Hospital ( LifePoint), Doctors’ Hospital of Opelousas ( Province) and Memorial Medical Center ( Province).

5
Improves Geographic Diversification

States Where Province Operates

States Where Both LPNT &
PRV Operate

Province Hospitals

LifePoint Hospitals
Corporate Office

States Where LifePoint Operates

6
Reduces Financial Dependency on any One Hospital

Number of Hospitals 30 Hospitals 21 Hospitals 51 Hospitals

Sole Community Provider 28 out of 29 ( 1) 19 out of 21 47 out of 50 ( 1)

Largest Ten Hospitals (
2) 57% Revenue 74% Revenue 45% Revenue

States of Operation 9
States 13 States 20 States

Largest State (
2) 34% Revenue 21% Revenue 18% Revenue

Average Revenue/Hospital $ 36.0 Million $ 45.0 Million $ 40.0 Million 1) Two of LifePoint’s hospitals, Guyan Valley Medical Center and Logan Regional Medical Center, serve the same community. The three non-sole community providers are Smith County Memorial Hospital ( LifePoint), Doctors’ Hospital of Opelousas ( Province) and Memorial Medical Center ( Province). 2) Based on Management reports for Fiscal Year 2004 data. LifePoint Province Pro Forma

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Incorporates Shared Culture and Values

Expanding the scope and quality of
care for patients

Creating an outstanding work
environment for employees

Strengthening the hospital’s central
role within the community

Managing financial performance
responsibility for stakeholders

Supplying the necessary equipment
and resources to physicians

High quality care

Attract and retain the best people

Focus on patient service

Superior financial results

Selective growth

LifePoint “

High Fives” Province “
Five Pillars”

8 Untapped Opportunity for Margin Improvement Significant Earnings and Margin Upside from Province’s Facilities Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA Margins 2002 — Present Significant opportunity to improve adjusted EBITDA margins at Province 21.7% 17.7% 10% 15% 20% 25% Q1’02 Q2’02 Q3’02 Q4’02 Q1’03 Q2’03 Q3’03 Q4’03 Q1’04 Q2’04 Q3’04 Q4’04 LifePoint Province

9 LifePoint Quarterly Income Statement LifePoint Income Statement Note: Figures adjusted to reflect the announced divestiture of Bartow Memorial Hospital. Figures are unaudited.

LifePoint consistently produces strong net revenue growth

Strong expense controls, including bad debt management

Other operating expenses are largely fixed costs as evidenced by declining percentage of net revenue 2002 2003 2004 ($ in millions) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Net Revenues $ 174.4 $ 170.7 $ 175.2 $ 194.6 $ 212.9 $ 214.1 $ 219.4 $ 229.2 $ 247.5 $ 238.2 $ 253.7 $ 257.5 Salaries and Benefits 67.9 68.2 68.2 75.7 87.2 87.6 87.4 90.1 96.9 97.7 102.1 102.7 % of Net Revenue 38.9% 40.0% 38.9% 38.9% 41.0% 40.9% 39.8% 39.3% 39.2% 41.0% 40.2% 39.9% Supplies 22.0 21.1 21.8 23.8 27.5 27.8 28.0 30.9 32.1 31.1 32.2 33.7 % of Net Revenue 12.6% 12.4% 12.4% 12.2% 12.9% 13.0% 12.8% 13.5% 13.0% 13.1% 12.7% 13.1% Bad Debt Expense 12.2 11.7 10.9 15.0 15.8 15.1 22.4 20.8 20.7 18.9 24.4 22.2 % of Net Revenue 7.0% 6.9% 6.2% 7.7% 7.4% 7.1% 10.2% 9.1% 8.4% 7.9% 9.6% 8.6% Other Operating Expenses 30.5 31.5 33.7 33.9 36.4 41.1 38.6 39.3 41.0 38.8 44.1 42.9 % of Net Revenue 17.5% 18.5% 19.2% 17.4% 17.1% 19.2% 17.6% 17.1% 16.6% 16.3% 17.4% 16.6% Total Expenses $ 132.6 $ 132.5 $ 134.6 $ 148.4 $ 166.9 $ 171.6 $ 176.4 $ 181.1 $ 190.7 $ 186.5 $ 202.8 $

201.5 Adjusted EBITDA $ 41.8 $ 38.2 $ 40.6 $ 46.2 $ 46.0 $ 42.5 $ 43.0 $ 48.1 $ 56.8 $ 51.7 $ 50.9 $ 56.0 Margin 24.0% 22.4% 23.2% 23.7% 21.6% 19.9% 19.6% 21.0% 22.9% 21.7% 20.1% 21.7%

10 Province Quarterly Income Statement Province Income Statement Note: Province financials are pro forma for the divestitures of Glades and Brim Healthcare. 2002 2003 2004 ($ in millions) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Net Revenues $153.9 $162.5 $172.3 $169.6 $182.5 $183.9 $184.8 $195.0 $200.6 $208.5 $235.3 $235.6 Salaries and Benefits 62.1 68.0 72.3 75.7 75.9 75.1 72.2 77.5 79.2 80.1 91.5 87.4 % of Net Revenue 40.4% 41.8% 42.0% 44.6% 41.6% 40.8% 39.1% 39.7% 39.5% 38.4% 38.9% 36.7% Supplies 19.0 19.7 22.6 23.1 24.0 23.0 24.1 24.5 26.0 25.9 30.5 31.8 % of Net Revenue 12.3% 12.1% 13.1% 13.6% 13.2% 12.5% 13.0% 12.6% 13.0% 12.4% 13.0% 13.3% Bad Debt Expense 14.1 11.9 12.8 14.4 16.0 16.3 18.8 21.5 20.2 21.7 26.5 26.5 % of Net Revenue 9.2% 7.3% 7.4% 8.5% 8.8% 8.9% 10.2% 11.0% 10.1% 10.4% 11.3% 11.1% Other Operating Expenses 29.4 31.7 34.3 35.7 35.4 36.8 36.4 39.5 38.7 42.8 47.4 47.6 % of Net Revenue 19.1% 19.5% 19.9% 21.0% 19.4% 20.0% 19.7% 20.3% 19.3% 20.5% 20.1% 19.9% Total Expenses $124.6 $131.3 $142.0 $148.9 $151.3 $151.2 $151.5 $163.0 $164.1 $170.5 $195.9 $193.3 Adjusted EBITDA $29.3 $31.2 $30.3 $20.7 $31.2 $32.7 $33.3 $32.0 $36.5 $38.0 $39.4 $42.3 Margin 19.0% 19.2% 17.6% 12.2% 17.1% 17.8% 18.0% 16.4% 18.2% 18.2% 16.7% 18.0%

11 LifePoint Supplemental Information LifePoint Net Income Reconciliation Note: Figures adjusted to reflect the announced divestiture of Bartow Memorial Hospital. Figures are unaudited. 2002 2003 2004 ($ in millions) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Adjusted EBITDA $41.8 $38.2 $40.6 $46.2 $46.0 $42.5 $43.0 $48.1 $56.8 $51.7 $50.9 $56.0 Depreciation and amortization (8.5) (9.1) (8.1) (9.3) (10.5) (10.8) (10.2) (11.6) (11.0) (11.4) (12.1) (13.6) Interest expense, net (4.1) (2.8) (3.0) (3.4) (3.3) (3.3) (3.3) (2.9) (3.4) (3.2) (3.1) (2.9) Debt retirement costs (1.3) (25.0) (4.2) (0.5) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (1.5) 0.0 0.0 ESOP expense (2.5) (2.7) (2.2) (2.3) (1.6) (1.5) (1.8) (2.0) (2.3) (2.5) (2.3) (2.3) Minority interest (0.7) (0.8) (0.7) 0.0 0.0 (0.2) (0.3) (0.2) (0.3) (0.3) (0.1) (0.3) Provision for income taxes (10.9) (0.3) (9.1) (12.4) (12.5) (10.7) (11.0) (11.7) (15.6) (13.3) (13.2) (13.9) Loss (gain) on discontinued operations (0.1) 0.0 (0.6) (0.7) (0.4) (0.7) (0.2) (0.4) (0.3) (0.8) (0.4) 0.4 Net Income $13.7 ($2.5) $12.7 $17.6 $17.7 $15.3 $16.2 $19.3 $23.9 $18.7 $19.7 $23.4

12 Province Supplemental Information Province Net Income Reconciliation Note: Province financials are pro forma for the divestitures of Glades and Brim Healthcare. 2002 2003 2004 ($ in millions) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Adjusted EBITDA $29.3 $31.2 $30.3 $20.7 $31.2 $32.7 $33.3 $32.0 $36.5 $38.0 $39.4 $42.3 Depreciation and amortization (7.1) (8.1) (9.0) (8.0) (8.8) (9.1) (9.3) (10.4) (10.2) (11.5) (12.5) (12.7) Interest expense, net (4.0) (5.4) (6.1) (5.8) (5.8) (6.6) (7.0) (6.9) (6.9) (7.4) (7.6) (7.7) Minority interests (0.1) 0.0 0.0 0.1 (0.1) (0.1) 0.0 0.0 (0.1) (0.2) (0.2) (0.2) Loss on sale of assets 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 (0.1) 0.0 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 0.0 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 (0.5) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Provision for income taxes (7.2) (7.1) (6.1) (2.8) (6.5) (6.6) (6.7) (3.0) (7.2) (7.1) (7.1) (6.7) Discontinued operations, net of tax 0.8 0.4 0.3 (0.2) (0.1) (0.2) (0.4) (9.4) (0.6) 6.4 (0.5) (0.9) Net Income $11.7 $11.0 $9.4 $4.1 $9.9 $9.7 $9.8 $2.3 $11.5 $18.2 $11.5 $14.1

13 Payor Mix LifePoint Province Twelve Months Ended 12/31/04 Medicare 36.9% Self-Pay 9.3% Medicaid 11.2% Commercial and Managed Care 38.7% Other 3.9% Medicare 37.7% Self-Pay 11.0% Medicaid 10.1% Commercial and Managed Care 40.0% Other 1.2%

14 Payor Mix (cont.) LifePoint Province 2003 Medicare 35.9% Self-Pay 8.6% Medicaid 10.9% Other 4.1% Commercial and Managed Care 40.5% Medicare 38.5% Self-Pay 7.0% Medicaid 10.3% Other 1.4% Commercial and Managed Care 42.8%

15 Opportunity for Immediate and Future Synergies Synergy Opportunities Nashville Offices Retirement Plan Physician Recruiting Development Regional Operating Structure Group Purchasing Managed Care Contracts

16 Key Credit Strengths LifePoint Credit Fundamentals Rural Hospital Strategy Geographic Diversification Favorable Regulatory Environment Identifiable Upside in Province Assets Conservative Leverage Profile Strong Free Cash Flow History of Deleveraging Improving Industry Fundamentals Experienced Management Team Natural Business Combination

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Operating Opportunities

Physician Recruitment / Retention – Hospital-Based vs. Centralized – Proven track record

Managed Care Contracting – Centralized vs. Hospital-Based

Capex Focus – Existing hospital equipment, services, and facilities ( same-store vs. acquisitions)

18 Operating Opportunities ( cont.)

Quality Resource Management – Resource management – Concurrent coding

Supply Management – Equity owner of HealthTrust Purchasing Group ( rebates) – SMART System conversions ( compliance) – Pharmacy initiatives

Discretionary Expense Management – Marketing – Dues and subscriptions – Travel and entertainment – Other

Lease Buyouts – Equipment – Medical office buildings

19 Focused Capital Expenditure Program LifePoint Capital Expenditures Province Capital Expenditures Dollars in Millions $39 $46 $60 $19 $23 $22 $58 $69 $82 $0 $10 $20 $30 $40 $50 $60 $70 $80 $90 $100 2002 2003 2004 Expansion Routine $30 $36 $61 $15 $18 $30 $46 $54 $91 $0 $10 $20 $30 $40 $50 $60 $70 $80

$90 $100 2002 2003 2004 Expansion Routine

20 Focused Capital Expenditure Program (cont.) LifePoint Capital Expenditures by Project Type LifePoint Detailed Capital Expenditures No. of ($ in millions) Facilities 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004E OR 11 $6.4 $11.9 $10.2 $8.4 $0.7 Bed Addition 2 — — 1.4 7.2 9.3 MRI 17 3.0 4.1 8.5 4.9 3.0 MOB 12 — 1.2 4.7 6.2 4.0 ER 5 1.7 0.7 0.5 3.3 7.5 Rehab 7 — 0.5 2.8 1.7 2.3 CT 10 0.6 3.6 0.6 — 2.1 Cath Lab 5 — — 3.1 2.0 — Misc. Renovation/Expansion 11 0.1 0.5 5.6 8.8 22.1

21 Physician Recruitment and Retention We will focus on recruiting and retaining the appropriate mix of primary care and specialist physicians to drive same store revenue

Focus on unique physician needs at each hospital

Our combined record recruiting year in 2003 and 2004 will drive same store revenues Recruiting Program Note: Represents admitting physicians only. 57 49 77 85 48 72 88 104 165 121 105 189 0 50 100 150 200 2001 2002 2003 2004 LifePoint Province

22 Las Cruces Market Opportunity Las Cruces (Memorial Medical Center)

Province acquired Memorial Medical
Center on June 1, 2004

286 bed full-service tertiary hospital

Fastest population growth in New
Mexico and 11th fastest in U.S.

County-run hospital, under-managed

Province knows the facility, having provided consulting services prior to acquisition

Already returned to profitability even before inclusion of payments from the county for indigent care

23 Coastal Carolina Market Opportunity Coastal Carolina Hospital Project

Coastal Carolina is a new Province facility which opened November 29, 2004

41 bed facility with adjoining MOB

Located at the major intersection of traffic between Hilton Head and Savannah

Dramatic growth market for retirees
and vacationers moving inland

Widespread support throughout the local medical community with 100% of 25,000 sq. ft. MOB committed Artist’s Rendering

24 Fort Mohave Market Opportunity Fort Mohave Hospital Project

Fort Mohave is a new Province facility scheduled to open third quarter 2005

60 bed facility

8 physician MOB / OP diagnostic center on campus with second MOB under construction

Market doubled over last 10 years and should grow an additional 30% by 2007

Popular retirement destination in
area’s primary growth corridor

Synergies with Needles, CA and

Lake Havasu, AZ hospitals

New facility, attractive area, and supportive community will enhance physician recruitment Artist’s Rendering Cover up

25 Post-Closing Operations To Do List Physicians Hospital

Effect corporate office consolidation

Centralize managed care contracting

Coordinate systems integration

Realize purchasing benefits

Create optimal division structure, focus on geographic proximity

Diversify top earning assets between divisions

Minimize disruption of existing hospital reporting relationships

Assess existing Province hospital leadership

Receive 3-5
year commitments from select facility level managers

Evaluate capital projects, de novos and emphasize commitments to existing projects

Realize benefits not fully recognized from Province’s recent acquisitions

Maintain dialogue with existing physicians

Assess and decentralize Province’s recruiting program

Focus on physician needs within each community

Ensure minimal disruption, continue focus on operations

Emphasize job security, morale and transaction benefits

Assess staffing productivity at Province

Continue reinforcing commitment to local communities

Expand our LifePoint Foundation outreach

Support local community healthcare education to address manpower requirements Corporate Division Employees Community