EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Steve Filton                                      February 20, 2003
          Chief Financial Officer
          610-768-3300

                         UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
                                ANNOUNCES INQUIRY

         KING OF PRUSSIA, PA - Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS)
announced that it has been advised that the Philadelphia District Office of the
Securities and Exchange Commission has initiated an informal inquiry arising out
of the previously announced departure of Kirk Gorman as Chief Financial Officer
of the Company. The Company intends to fully cooperate with the inquiry.

         Universal Health Services, Inc. is one of the nation's largest hospital
companies, operating acute care and behavioral health hospitals and ambulatory
surgery and radiation centers nationwide, in Puerto Rico and in France. It acts
as the advisor to Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment
trust (NYSE: UHT).

         Certain statements in this release may constitute forward-looking
statements and are subject to various risks and uncertainties as discussed in
the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company
is not obligated to update these forward-looking statements even if the
Company's assessment of these risks and uncertainties changes.

For additional information on the Company, visit our web site:
http://www.uhsinc.com.

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