DENVER, July 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care and health care services, today announced that HealthCare Partners (HCP) president and CEO Dr. Craig Samitt is stepping down from HCP effective August 1(st).

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Kent Thiry, co-chairman and CEO of DaVita HealthCare Partners, will take over the role of CEO of HCP, working in tandem with the Office of Chief Medical Officer.

"I want to thank Craig for his contributions during his time here. He is a strong CEO and we wish him the best in his future endeavors," said Thiry.

"I will miss working with the talented physicians, staff and management that created and will sustain the HealthCare Partners legacy," said Samitt. "The company is well positioned to continue to transform population health in the United States."

DaVita and DaVita HealthCare Partners are trademarks or registered trademarks of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.

About DaVita HealthCare Partners

DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500® company, is the parent company of DaVita and HealthCare Partners. DaVita is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. As of March 31, 2014, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,098 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 165,000 patients. The company also operated 75 outpatient dialysis centers located in 10 countries outside the United States. HealthCare Partners manages and operates medical groups and affiliated physician networks in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Florida in its pursuit to deliver excellent-quality health care in a dignified and compassionate manner. As of March 31, 2014, HealthCare Partners provides integrated care management for nearly 795,000 managed care patients. For more information, please visit DaVitaHealthCarePartners.com.

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CONTACT: Skip Thurman, 303-876-6610

SOURCE DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.