Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (the ?Company?) (NYSE:KND) today announced that Benjamin A. Breier, Chief Operating Officer, was named to the 2010 ?Up & Comers? list by Modern Healthcare magazine.

The annual ?Up & Comers? list recognizes rising young leaders aged 40 and under who are making a difference in healthcare. Mr. Breier was one of 12 executives selected from among 103 nominations. The honorees appear in the September 13 issue of Modern Healthcare, a national trade publication that covers the healthcare industry.

Mr. Breier, 39, was named Chief Operating Officer of Kindred Healthcare in March 2010. Since March 2008, Mr. Breier has served as President of the Company's Hospital Division. Under his leadership, the Hospital Division revenues have grown to approximately $2 billion and operating income has increased more than $18 million. From August 2005 to March 2008, Mr. Breier served as President of Peoplefirst Rehabilitation. Through his leadership, Peoplefirst added 135 new contracts and increased revenues from $228 million in 2004 to $427 million in 2008.

?This is a well-deserved honor,? said Paul J. Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. ?Ben has shown tremendous leadership skills since he joined Kindred and has overseen the growth of two of our divisions while also improving our quality and customer service. As Chief Operating Officer, Ben is helping us continue to advance our value proposition for patients, residents, employees, customers and shareholders as well as our strategic growth initiatives, including our Cluster Market, physician, managed care and network development programs.?

About Kindred Healthcare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., a top-200 private employer in the United States, is a FORTUNE 500 healthcare services company based in Louisville, Kentucky with annual revenues of over $4.2 billion and approximately 53,500 employees in 40 states. At June 30, 2010, Kindred through its subsidiaries provided healthcare services in 633 locations, including 83 long-term acute care hospitals, 223 nursing and rehabilitation centers and a contract rehabilitation services business, Peoplefirst rehabilitation services, which served 327 non-affiliated facilities. Ranked as one of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Healthcare Companies in 2009 and 2010, Kindred's mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder we serve. For more information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com.

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
Susan E. Moss, 502-596-7296
Vice President, Communications