ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that Pamela A. Joseph, Vice Chairman of U.S. Bancorp, was elected to the Company's Board of Directors as a Class III Director with a term expiring in 2010.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are proud to welcome Pamela Joseph to the Centene board. Ms. Joseph brings extensive business management and technology expertise, as well as experience handling high-speed transactions. In addition, she has a successful track record of managing compliance-related issues, which will serve Centene well as we continue to grow our business."

Ms. Joseph said, "I am excited to join Centene's Board of Directors and look forward to bringing my new market and product development experience to the healthcare industry."

For more than 25 years, Ms. Joseph has held increasingly senior leadership roles in the banking industry with corporations such as U.S. Bancorp, Visa International and Wells Fargo Bank.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Company operates health plans in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. In addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, health management, long-term care, managed vision, nurse triage, pharmacy benefits management and treatment compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.

Source: Centene Corporation