PITTSBURGH, PA, December 7, 2005

The M&A Advisor, a leading publication dedicated to middle market merger and acquisition activity recently announced the WINNERS of the 4th Annual M&A Advisor Awards.

The Braff Group was named as WINNER for Healthcare Deal of the Year for its representation of Northwestern Memorial Home Health Care in its simultaneous divestiture of its Home Health Care operations to TLC Health Care Services and its Home Infusion Therapy Operations to Option Care, Inc.

This marks the second consecutive year that The Braff Group (TBG) has been so honored. In 2004, the firm was awarded the Life Sciences (Biotech/Healthcare) Deal of the Year for its representation of LifePlus, a regional home care provider based in Raymond, NH.

The deal team representing Northwestern Memorial Home Health Care was led by Chuck Gaetano, TBG Managing Director, Infusion Therapy, Specialty Pharmacy, and Home Medical Equipment and Steven Braff, TBG Managing Director, Home Health Care, Hospice, Home Medical Equipment and Staffing. Rounding out the team providing financial and analytical support in both transactions were Business Analysts Sandy Stuhlfire and John Hickey.

The awards were held at a black-tie event December 5th, 2005 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.

About the Braff Group

The Braff Group is a leading middle market merger and acquisition firm that specializes in the home medical equipment, home health care, hospice, staffing, specialty pharmacy, infusion therapy, and eHealthcare market sectors.  The firm provides merger and acquisition representation, strategic planning, and valuation services.  For the second consecutive year, The Braff Group was recently honored as one of the fastest growing companies in the Pittsburgh Region by the Pittsburgh Business Times in its annual ranking of the 100 fastest growing privately held firms in the area.  Additionally, The Braff Group recently was awarded the 2004 Life Sciences (Biotech/Healthcare) Deal of the Year by the M&A Advisor, a leading publication dedicated to middle market merger and acquisition activity, for our representation of LifePlus, a regional home care provider based in Raymond, NH.