NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Jill E. McCormick, Director, Marketing & Planning
St. Edward Mercy Health System
Phone: 479-314-6037
Email: jill.mccormick@mercy.net

Mercy Clinic Welcomes Infectious Disease Physician

Fort Smith, Ark. –August 17, 2009 - Infectious Disease physician Dr. Halim Abou-Faycal joined St. Edward Mercy Clinic July 29. Dr. Abou-Faycal sees patients at St. Edward Mercy Clinic – Infectious Disease in addition to his duties as medical director for St. Edward Mercy Infectious Disease.

Dr. Abou-Faycal completed his residency in internal medicine at East Tennessee State University and fellowship in infectious disease at the University of Texas – M.D. Anderson.

“Fort Smith has a lot to offer, and I am proud to be a part of a growing clinic,” said Dr. Abou-Faycal.

Infectious disease physicians are internists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. This type of physician works with patients who have contracted various infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.

His interests include swimming, fishing, hunting, and hiking. He and his wife, Lisa, have 16-month-old twins.

St. Edward Mercy Clinic – Infectious Disease is located at 7001 Rogers Avenue in the St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith.

St. Edward Mercy Clinic is a physician-led and professionally-managed multispecialty medical group practice. Mercy Clinic was founded by St. Edward Mercy Health System in 2008 to expand the base of available primary care and selected specialty physicians in the River Valley. Dr. Abou-Faycal is one of seven physicians hired in the month of July. The Clinic currently operates three physician offices and employs over 70 physicians.