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Nicholson Clinic Designated 'Blue Distinction Center'

Dallas, TX -- June 4, 2008 -- The Nicholson Clinic for Obesity Surgery at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, led by renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Nick Nicholson, recently was named a "Blue Distinction Center" for Bariatric Surgery by BlueCross BlueShield of Texas.

This exclusive designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of delivering favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery and allows patients to benefit from the financial performance of their BlueCross Blue Shield plans. The Nicholson Clinic is one of only 14 Blue Distinction Centers for bariatric surgery in the state of Texas.

"We are honored to receive the Blue Center Distinction and are pleased to provide our services to BlueCross BlueShield patients," said Dr. Nicholson, who, in addition to his surgical duties, also serves as the clinic's medical director. "This designation further confirms the high level of care provided by the Nicholson Clinic at Baylor Plano."

BlueCross BlueShield companies, in partnership with the BlueCross BlueShield Association, developed the Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery program with two goals: engaging consumers to enable more informed healthcare decisions and collaborating with providers to improve quality outcomes and affordability. Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery, such as the Nicholson Clinic for Obesity Surgery at Baylor Plano, provide a full range of bariatric surgical care services, including inpatient and post-operative care, pre- and post-surgical education for patients, and follow-up programs.

The selection of providers for the Blue Distinction Centers begins with a 27-page Request for Information (RFI). The RFI elicits detailed information about qualifications and experience from each hospital, as well as their surgical success rates and complications. A review committee then conducts a blind analysis of the RFI results based on a broad range of defined clinical criteria, including physiciansi and staff experience and credentials.

Dr. Nicholson, who is Board Certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery and a member of the American College of Surgeons, has been performing advanced laparoscopic and weight-loss surgery procedures for more than seven years. The Nicholson Clinic, which also earned recognition as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) in 2008, employs a full-time staff that includes a dietician, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, psychiatrist and psychologist.

"We have a dedicated team in place committed to helping patients achieve and maintain healthy weight loss and improve their quality of life," said Dr. Nicholson, who specializes in Lap-Band, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures. "Our goal is to provide the quality-care programs tailored to their individual needs in order for each and every patient to achieve long-term success."

About Dr. Nick Nicholson
A native of Texas, Dr. Nicholson began undergraduate studies at UT Austin and pursued his MD at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston before completing his residency at UT Southwestern at Parkland. He now practices bariatric surgery in Dallas, and is active in several organizations, including the www.ama-assn.org American Medical Association, www.sages.org Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscope Surgeons and the www.asbs.org American Society of Bariatric Surgery. For more information, or to learn more about the free educational seminars offered by the Nicholson Clinic for Obesity Surgery, please visit nicholsonclinic.com.