Sandra Van Trease Receives Distinguished Alumni Award from Olin School of Business

Business Wire, May 20, 2004

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2004

Sandra Van Trease, president and chief executive officer of UNICARE Life & Health Insurance Company (UNICARE), has been named a recipient of the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award from Washington University's Olin School of Business. Van Trease received a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Olin School of Business in 1992.

The award recognizes alumni who have received distinction in their careers and exhibit exceptional leadership skills, progressive thinking and commitment. The award was presented at a May 5 dinner in St. Louis.

"We are very proud that Sandra is being recognized for her career achievements," says John O'Rourke, president and chief executive officer of WellPoint Central Region. "Under her direction, UNICARE continues to succeed in the fast-changing health care industry. She is a dedicated leader who instills empowerment in her employees and strives to provide consumers with affordable health care benefits."

Ms. Van Trease was named president and chief executive officer of UNICARE in February 2002. Before joining UNICARE, Van Trease was president and chief operating officer of RightCHOICE Managed Care Inc. She also served as chief financial officer until September 2001.

"Sandra Van Trease is among Olin's most distinguished graduates, and we are delighted that a committee of her peers selected her for this award. I am also delighted that she has joined Olin's National Council, and look forward to an ongoing partnership," said Stuart I. Greenbaum, Dean, Olin School of Business, Washington University.

Additional information about the award can be found at http://www.olin.wustl.edu/alumni/awards/.

Sandra Van Trease is a St. Louis resident and mother of two. She is on the Board of Directors for the Peabody Institute, Missouri Historical Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Saint Louis Symphony, among others.

UNICARE serves 1.6 million medical members and is the national operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., the nation's second largest publicly traded health care company. WellPoint serves the health care needs of more than 15.3 million medical members and approximately 46 million specialty members. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO, POS and hybrid products, HMO and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements. UNICARE can be found on the web at www.unicare.com.