NASHVILLE, TN – A panel of healthcare analysts told 500 healthcare executives at the Nashville Health Care Council’s annual event that the outlook is significantly favorable for Nashville healthcare companies in 2010.

Against the backdrop of new government directives and spending and a stabilizing economy, analysts said they remain bullish on the hospital space for 2010 and identified other expected performers.

The panel was moderated by former Health Care Council Chairman Wayne Smith, chairman, president and CEO, Community Health Systems and included panelists Adam Feinstein, managing director, Barclays Capital; Darren Lehrich, managing director, Deutsche Bank Securities; Whit Mayo, senior research analyst, R.W. Baird; Frank Morgan, managing director, RBC Capital Markets; and Gary Taylor, managing director, Citigroup.

Click here to listen to analysts’ stock and industry performance predictions for 2010.

Overall, panelists said 2010 should be a good year for the health care sector with actions in Washington creating both opportunities and challenges. Either way, Wall Street will keep a close eye on Nashville’s top industry.

“Nashville’s dynamic health care industry cluster is well known around the world and is home to more than 17 publicly traded health care companies,” said Nashville Health Care Council President Caroline Young. “The trends set by Nashville industry leaders reach far beyond Middle Tennessee and have a significant impact on Wall Street.”

The annual panel discussion has become one of the Health Care Council’s most popular and well-attended programs, bringing together a who’s who of healthcare executives from some of the country’s leading and largest health care companies. Today’s meeting was the first in another busy year for the Council, now is its 15th year and more than 180 member organizations strong.

The Nashville Health Care Council, founded in 1995 as an initiative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is an association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care industry capital. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.