ATHENAHEALTH CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RETIRES DUE TO HEALTH REASONS

WATERTOWN, Mass. (October 08, 2008) – athenahealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHN), a leading provider of internet-based business services to physician practices, today announced that James M. MacDonald has decided to retire from his position as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of athenahealth, Inc., effective October 10, 2008. Following medical consultations, Mr. MacDonald has decided that he will focus on improving his health and spending quality time with his family.

Jonathan Bush, President, Chairman and CEO of athenahealth, Inc., will provide strategic direction and leadership of athenahealth’s operations until Mr. MacDonald’s successor is named. Mr. MacDonald will assist in the transition and serve in an advisory capacity.

“athenahealth has benefited immensely from Jim’s leadership and we wish him the very best in his retirement,” said Bush. “During the last two years, Jim has built a world class team that is growing the Company’s operations and human capital in support of the services we provide to medical practices across the nation. This team has been instrumental in our efforts to develop scalable infrastructure, business continuity, and client service operations. While we search for his replacement, we are extremely confident in our ability to maintain operational momentum precisely because of the infrastructure and the team that Jim has built.”

The Company will hold a brief call with investors today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in athenahealth’s live conference call, dial 877-719-9791 or 719-325-4775 (international) and use confirmation code: 7812543. A live webcast and replay will also be available shortly after the call is completed on the Company’s investor web site: http://investors.athenahealth.com/events.cfm. A replay of the conference call will be available by calling 888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820 (international), pass code: 7812543.

Source: ATHENAHEALTH