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                                                                      EXHIBIT 99


                           LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.


CONTACT:   PENNY BRAKE
           DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
           (615) 372-8500


                        LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS NAMES DONAHEY
                    NEW CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE (June 25, 2001) - The Board of Directors of LifePoint
Hospitals, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPNT) today unanimously elected Kenneth C. Donahey to
serve as the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Donahey, age
50, will immediately fill the positions left open by the recent death of James
M. Fleetwood, Jr. DeWitt Ezell, Jr. has served as Interim Non-Executive Chairman
of the Company since Mr. Fleetwood's death. The Board extends its sincere
gratitude to Mr. Ezell for his leadership during the interim period in which he
served.

     Mr. Donahey is a seasoned executive with 24 years experience in the
healthcare industry. He has served as LifePoint Hospitals' Chief Financial
Officer since the Company's inception when it spun off from HCA - The Healthcare
Company in May of 1999. In March 2001, he was named as the Company's Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining LifePoint, Mr.
Donahey served as Senior Vice President and Controller of HCA. Mr. Donahey
served HealthTrust, Inc. as its Senior Vice President and Controller from its
creation in 1987 until its merger with HCA. Mr. Donahey first joined HCA in
1977.

     "The depth and breadth of Ken's experience, both in hospital operations and
finance, as well as his relationships in the healthcare industry and with the
Company's investors, made Ken the right choice to lead the Company. As we have
emphasized previously, the Board remains committed to the Company's business
strategy and operating philosophy. We were proud to unanimously elect Ken to
these positions and are confident that he will be an excellent source of
leadership to the Company," said Ezell.

     Commenting on his appointment to the position of Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Donahey said, "LifePoint is made up of an extraordinary
team of people. I look forward to working with these talented and dedicated
professionals, including our medical staff and hospital board leadership, as we
continue to provide high quality patient care in the communities where our
hospitals are located."

     LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. operates 21 hospitals in non-urban areas. In most
cases, the LifePoint facility is the only hospital in its community. LifePoint's
non-urban operating strategy offers continued operational improvement by
focusing on its five core values: delivering high quality patient care,
supporting physicians, creating excellent workplaces for its employees,
providing community value, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Headquartered in
Brentwood, Tennessee, LifePoint Hospitals is affiliated with over 6,000
employees.

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