CHICAGO, October 30, 2002 - GE Healthcare Financial Services continues to expand its financings for medical office buildings with two loans totaling $22 million to DASCO Companies, a national medical real estate company headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Using financing from GE Healthcare Financial Services, DASCO acquired seven medical office buildings from Orlando Regional Healthcare (ORHC), the largest health system in central Florida, serving greater Orlando with a 1,870-bed system. The properties are located on three of ORHC's campuses, including its main medical center. The company also bought the St. Joseph Medical Plaza from Mutual of New York. The 87,000 square-foot multi-tenanted property is on the campus of Tucson-based St. Joseph Hospital, a 285-bed acute care hospital owned by Carondelet Health System.

As the transactions with DASCO demonstrate, GE Healthcare Financial Services sees tremendous opportunity in the medical office market as more hospital systems consider selling their non-core assets to raise cash for core missions such as facility expansions and improved technology. "In addition to our abilities to underwrite and structure for the real estate elements of a deal, we also have the expertise to understand the financial and competitive strengths of hospitals and their dynamic relationships with their physician tenants," said Kevin McMeen, senior vice-president and real estate team leader for GE Healthcare Financial Services

DASCO was attracted by GE Healthcare Financial Services' sophisticated yet flexible financings. "With St. Joseph, GE Healthcare Financial Services demonstrated its willingness and ability to structure around more complex issues such as restrictive ground leases and condominium requirements," said Malcolm Sina, president and chief executive officer of DASCO Companies. "And the loan structure for the Orlando buildings allows us to recapture a portion of our equity upon the achievement of certain performance hurdles and provides funds necessary for us to complete our lease-up and renovation plan."

GE Healthcare Financial Services is focused on building long-lasting relationships with clients like DASCO that need a strong capital provider offering flexibility and creative solutions. "It's as beneficial to us as it is to our clients to attract repeat business. A multiple-deal relationship confirms that each of us has a strong desire to grow together and find solutions that lead to successful results," said Gordon Soderlund, senior investment officer for GE Healthcare Financial Services.

GE Healthcare Financial Services is the premier provider of capital, financial solutions and related services for the global healthcare market. With $9 billion in assets, GE Healthcare Financial Services offers a full range of financing capabilities from equipment leasing and real estate financing to working capital lending and equity investing. With a dedicated focus and a deep knowledge of the healthcare industry, GE Healthcare Financial Services collaborates with customers to create tailored financial solutions that help them improve their productivity and profitability. GE Healthcare Financial Services' website is www.GehealthcareFinance.com.

Contacts
Leslie Krohn
Vice President of Communications
312-441-7710
leslie.krohn@ge.com