NATIONWIDNAT HLTH : Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation On Behalf of Shareholders of Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., in Connection with the Proposed Acquisition of the Company by Ventas, Inc.

Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that it is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (?NHP? or the ?Company?) (NYSE:NHP) related to the Company's agreement to be acquired by Ventas, Inc. (?Ventas?). The proposed stock-for-stock transaction is valued at approximately $7.4 billion.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement entered into by the parties, NHP shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.7866 Ventas shares for each share they own of NHP common stock. The proposed transaction values each NHP share at approximately $44.99. If the transaction is completed, Ventas shareholders are expected to own approximately 65% of the combined company and NHP shareholders are expected to own approximately 35%. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2011. The investigation concerns possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law related to approval of the proposed transaction by NHP's board of directors.

If you are a shareholder of NHP, if you have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or if you wish to discuss these matters or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at [phone], Toll Free at [phone], or by email to [e-mail], or visit our website at http://www.howardsmithlaw.com.

Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
Howard G. Smith, Esquire
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
www.howardsmithlaw.com