<Page>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3

                                                                      USPH/R144A

         UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC"), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

         TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN
WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH
SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE
LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE
INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

         THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE
EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE
SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF
SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

         THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT
(A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY
(I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE
144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF
AVAILABLE) OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION

<Page>
                                                                               2


STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED
STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO,
NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS
REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

<Page>

No. G-R-001                                                         $149,800,000
                                                             CUSIP No. 91301MAA4
                                                           ISIN No. USU91229AA96

                     10% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2011


         UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation,
promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ONE
HUNDRED FORTY-NINE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($149,800,000) on
December 15, 2011.

         Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15, commencing June 15,
2002.

         Record Dates: June 1 and December 1.

         Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side
of this Security.

Dated:  December 19, 2001

                                                     UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS
                                                     HOLDINGS, INC.

                                                     By:  /s/ Mark A. Kopser
                                                          ---------------------
                                                     Name: Mark A. Kopser
                                                           --------------------
                                                     Title: Chief Financial
                                                            Officer and Vice
                                                            President
                                                            -------------------


                                                     By:  /s/ John J. Wellik
                                                          ---------------------
                                                     Name: John J. Wellik
                                                           --------------------
                                                     Title: Vice President,
                                                            Secretary and
                                                            Treasurer
                                                            -------------------

TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
     AUTHENTICATION

U.S. TRUST COMPANY OF TEXAS, N.A.
  as Trustee, certifies
     that this is one of
     the Securities referred
     to in the Indenture.

By:  /s/ John C. Stohlmann
     ----------------------------
         Authorized Signatory

<Page>
                                                                               2


                       [REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY]


                      10% Senior Subordinated Note Due 2011


1.  INTEREST

         UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "COMPANY"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate
specified in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Company will pay interest
semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2002.
Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December 19, 2001.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

2.  METHOD OF PAYMENT

         The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close
of business on the June 1 or December 1 next preceding the interest payment date
even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the
interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to
collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money
of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities represented by a
Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The
Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a
certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a
check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S.
dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in

<Page>
                                                                               3


the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving
written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating
such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due
date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its
discretion).

3.  PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

         Initially, U.S. Trust Company of Texas, N.A. (the "TRUSTEE"), will act
as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying
Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its
domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent,
Registrar or co-registrar.

4.  INDENTURE

         The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
December 19, 2001 (as such may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
"INDENTURE"), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of
the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "ACT"). Terms
defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and
Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of
those terms.

         The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The
Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03 of the
Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the
Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional
Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in
exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the
Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of the
Company, Parent and their subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay
dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make
investments; issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries; engage in transactions
with affiliates; create liens on assets; transfer or sell assets; restrict

<Page>

                                                                              4


dividends or other payments of subsidiaries; and consolidate, merge or transfer
all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries. These
covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications.

5.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

         Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem
the Securities at its option prior to December 15, 2006.

         On and after December 15, 2006, the Company shall be entitled at its
option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of
principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the
relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period
commencing on December 15 of the years set forth below:

<Table>
<Caption>
                  Period                                      Redemption
                  ------                                         Price
                                                              ----------
<S>                                                           <C>
                  2006                                        105.000%
                  2007                                        103.333%
                  2008                                        101.667%
                  2009                                        100.000%
                  2010                                        100.000%
</Table>

         In addition, prior to December 15, 2004, the Company shall be entitled
at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Securities (which includes
Additional Securities, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes
Additional Securities, if any) issued prior to such date at a redemption price
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 110.00%, plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the Net Cash Proceeds from one or
more Qualified Equity Offerings; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (1) at least 65% of
such aggregate principal amount of Securities (which includes Additional
Securities, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each
such redemption

<Page>

                                                                              5


(other than Securities held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its
Affiliates); and (2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the
date of the related Qualified Equity Offering.

         Pending the application of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Qualified
Equity Offering to redeem Securities in accordance with the provisions of this
paragraph, Parent or its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily repay Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Guarantor with those Net Cash
Proceeds.

         The Company shall be entitled, at its option, at any time as a whole
prior to December 15, 2006, to redeem the Securities (which includes the
Additional Securities, if any) at a redemption price equal to the sum of:

                  (1) the principal amount thereof, plus

                  (2) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption
         date, plus

                  (3) the Applicable Premium at the redemption date.

         "APPLICABLE PREMIUM" means, with respect to any Security on any
redemption date, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such
Security and (2) the excess of (a) the present value at such redemption date of
(i) the redemption price of such Security at December 15, 2006 plus (ii) all
required interest payments due on such Security through December 15, 2006
(excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to
the Treasury Rate on such redemption date plus 50 basis points, over (b) the
principal amount of such Security.

         "TREASURY RATE" means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity
as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant
maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve
Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two
Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such statistical release is
no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most
nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to December 15, 2006;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the period from the redemption date to December 15,

<Page>

                                                                              6


2006 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury
security for which a weekly average yield is given, then the Treasury Rate
shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest
one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States
Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the
period from the redemption date to December 15, 2006 is less than one year,
the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities
adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

6.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

         Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed
at the Holder's registered address. Securities in denominations of $1,000
principal amount or less may be redeemed in whole and not in part. Securities in
denominations larger than $1,000 principal amount may be redeemed in part but
only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient to pay the redemption
price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be
redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before
the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after
such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions
thereof) called for redemption.

7.  PUT PROVISIONS

         Upon a Change of Control (as defined in Section 4.02 of the Indenture),
each Holder will have the right to require that the Company purchase such
Holder's Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of
the Securities to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date) as
provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

         Under certain circumstances as set forth in the Indenture, the Company
will be required to offer to purchase Securities with the Net Available Cash
from Asset Dispositions.

<Page>

                                                                              7


8.  SUBORDINATION

         The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior
Indebtedness of the Company must be paid before the Securities may be paid. The
Company agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the
subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee
to give it effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

9.  GUARANTY

         The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium and
interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint
and several senior subordinated basis by each of the Guarantors.

10.  DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE

         The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer
or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may
require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or
transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by
the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any
Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption
of Securities to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.

11.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

         The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the Security's
owner for all purposes.

<Page>

                                                                              8


12.  UNCLAIMED MONEY

         If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for
two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company
at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After
any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company
and not to the Trustee for payment.

13.  DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

         Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be
entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities and
the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government
Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to
redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

14.  AMENDMENT, WAIVER

         Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture and the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities
and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the
written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of
the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture,
without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company, the Guarantors and the
Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any
ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to comply with Article 5 of the
Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place
of certificated Securities, to add guarantees with respect to the Securities,
including Guaranties, to secure the Securities, to add additional covenants or
surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company or the Guarantors, to
comply with any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture
under the Act, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights
of any Securityholder in any material respect or to evidence the release of a
Guarantor.

<Page>
                                                                               9


15.  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

         Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default in payment
of interest on the Securities, continued for 30 days; (ii) default in payment of
principal on the Securities at maturity, upon optional redemption pursuant to
paragraph 5 of the Securities, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, or
failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when required; (iii)
failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with other agreements in the
Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of
time; (iv) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace
period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company, any Guarantor
or any Significant Subsidiary if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds
$10 million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company, any Guarantor and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments
or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $10 million; and (vii) certain
defaults with respect to Guaranties. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable by notice in
writing to the Company and the Trustee, and upon such declaration the Securities
will be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
are Events of Default which will result in the Securities being due and payable
immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

         Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except
as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or
the Securities unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default
(except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.

<Page>
                                                                              10


16.  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

         Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

17.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

         No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the
Company or any Guarantor or the Trustee shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Securities, any Guaranty
or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

18.  AUTHENTICATION

         This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

19.  ABBREVIATIONS

         Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).

20.  CUSIP NUMBERS

         Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers and
corresponding ISINs to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee
to use CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISINs in notices of redemption as a
convenience to Securityholders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of
such numbers

<Page>
                                                                              11


either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of
redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers placed thereon.

21.  HOLDERS' COMPLIANCE WITH REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

         Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and
agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the
obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the
indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.

22.  GOVERNING LAW.

         THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF
ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

         THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND
WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE SECURITY HOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT
THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY IN LARGER TYPE. REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO:

                  UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC.
                  17103 PRESTON ROAD
                  SUITE 200 NORTH
                  DALLAS, TEXAS 75248

                  ATTENTION:  INVESTOR RELATIONS

<Page>
                                                                              12


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to


              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)


and irrevocably appoint _______________________ agent to transfer this
Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act
for him.


________________________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________ Your Signature: __________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities evidenced by this
certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule
144(k) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"),
after the later of the date of original issuance of such Securities and the last
date, if any, on which such Securities were owned by the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are
being transferred in accordance with its terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

         (1)      / /      to the Company; or

         (2)               / / in the United States to a "qualified
                           institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under
                           the Securities Act) that purchases for its own
                           account or for the account of a qualified
                           institutional buyer

<Page>
                                                                              13


                           to whom notice is given that such transfer is being
                           made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant
                           to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the
                           Securities Act; or

         (3)               / / outside the United States in an offshore
                           transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under
                           the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under
                           the Securities Act; or

         (4)               / / pursuant to the exemption from registration
                           provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

         (5)               / / pursuant to an effective registration statement
                           under the Securities Act.

         If such transfer is being made pursuant to an offshore transaction in
accordance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act, the undersigned further
certifies that:

                  (i) the offer of the Securities was not made to a person in
         the United States;

                  (ii) either (a) at the time the buy offer was originated, the
         transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on
         our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the
         United States, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through
         the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither
         we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has
         been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

                  (iii) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United
         States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903 or Rule 904 of
         Regulation S, as applicable;

                  (iv) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade
         the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

                  (v) we have advised the transferee of the transfer
         restrictions applicable to the Securities; and

<Page>
                                                                              14

                  (vi) if the circumstances set forth in Rule 904(B) under the
         Securities Act, are applicable, we have complied with the additional
         conditions therein, including (if applicable) sending a confirmation or
         other notice stating that the Securities may be offered and sold during
         the distribution compliance period specified in Rule 903 of Regulation
         S; pursuant to registration of the Securities under the Securities Act;
         or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration
         requirements under the Securities Act.

         Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register
         any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any
         person other than the registered holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
         that if box (3) or (4) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to
         require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Securities, such
         legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has
         reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made
         pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
         registration requirements of the Securities Act such as the exemption
         provided by Rule 144 under such Act.


                                            -----------------------------------
                                                         Signature

Signature Guarantee:


---------------------------------------     -----------------------------------
    Signature must be guaranteed                         Signature

         Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership
or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar
in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<Page>
                                                                              15

              TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

         The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises
sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.


Dated:
       --------------------------------     -----------------------------------
                                            NOTICE:  To be executed by
                                                     an executive officer

<Page>
                                                                              16

              SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

<Table>
<Caption>
 Date of              Amount of decrease                                 Principal amount of this
Exchange              in Principal amount      Amount of increase in     Global Security              Signature of authorized
                      of this Global           Principal amount of       following such decrease      officer of Trustee or
                      Security                 this Global Security      or increase                  Securities Custodian
<S>                  <C>                     <C>                        <C>                          <C>

</Table>

<Page>
                                                                              17

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                  If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.02 or 4.07 of the Indenture, check the box: / /

                  If you want to elect to have only part of this Security
purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 or 4.07 of the Indenture,
state the amount in principal amount: $ o


Date:                              Your Signature
     -----------------------------                -----------------------------

                           (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side
                           of this Security.)

Signature Guarantee:
                     ----------------------------------------------------------
                                   (Signature must be guaranteed)

Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the
requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or
participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such
other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in
addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

<Page>

                                                                       USPH/RegS

         UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC"), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

         TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN
WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH
SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE
LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE
INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

         BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL
SECURITY WILL NOT BE EXCHANGEABLE FOR INTERESTS IN THE RULE 144A GLOBAL SECURITY
OR THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY OR ANY OTHER SECURITY REPRESENTING
AN INTEREST IN THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY WHICH DO NOT CONTAIN A LEGEND
CONTAINING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE "40-DAY
DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD" (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 903(c)(3) OF
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THEN ONLY UPON CERTIFICATION IN FORM
REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE THAT SUCH BENEFICIAL INTERESTS ARE OWNED
EITHER BY NON-U.S. PERSONS OR U.S. PERSONS WHO PURCHASED SUCH INTERESTS IN A
TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. DURING
SUCH 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN
THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY MAY ONLY BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR
TRANSFERRED THROUGH EUROCLEAR BANK S.A./N.A., AS OPERATOR OF THE EUROCLEAR
SYSTEM OR CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCIETE ANONYME AND ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II)
IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)
IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE

<Page>
                                                                               2

144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE
904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (V)
PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN
EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE UNITED
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. HOLDERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS
TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY WILL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF SUCH RESALE
RESTRICTIONS, IF THEN APPLICABLE.

<Page>

No. G-S-001                                                             $200,000
                                                             CUSIP No. U91229AA9
                                                           ISIN No. USU91229AA96

                     10% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2011

         UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation,
promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of TWO
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000) on December 15, 2011.

         Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15, commencing June 15,
2002.

         Record Dates: June 1 and December 1.

         Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side
of this Security.

Dated:  December 19, 2001

                                       UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS
                                       HOLDINGS, INC.

                                       By: /s/ Mark A. Kopser
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Mark A. Kopser
                                             -----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                              Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                       By: /s/ John J. Wellik
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Name: John J. Wellik
                                             -----------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President, Secretary and
                                              Treasurer
                                              ----------------------------------

TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
         AUTHENTICATION

U.S. TRUST COMPANY OF TEXAS, N.A.
  as Trustee, certifies
         that this is one of
         the Securities referred
         to in the Indenture.

By: /s/ John C. Stohlmann
    -----------------------------------
          Authorized Signatory

<Page>

                                                                               2

                       [REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY]

                      10% Senior Subordinated Note Due 2011

1.  INTEREST

         UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "COMPANY"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate
specified in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Company will pay interest
semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2002.
Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December 19, 2001.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

2.  METHOD OF PAYMENT

         The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close
of business on the June 1 or December 1 next preceding the interest payment date
even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the
interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to
collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money
of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities represented by a
Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The
Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a
certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a
check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S.
dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in

<Page>
                                                                               3

the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving
written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating
such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due
date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its
discretion).

3.  PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

         Initially, U.S. Trust Company of Texas, N.A. (the "TRUSTEE"), will act
as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying
Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its
domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent,
Registrar or co-registrar.

4.  INDENTURE

         The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
December 19, 2001 (as such may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
"INDENTURE"), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of
the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "ACT"). Terms
defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and
Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of
those terms.

         The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The
Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03 of the
Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the
Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional
Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in
exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the
Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of the
Company, Parent and their subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay
dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make
investments; issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries; engage in transactions
with affiliates; create liens on assets; transfer or sell assets;

<Page>
                                                                               4

restrict dividends or other payments of subsidiaries; and consolidate, merge
or transfer all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its
subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and
qualifications.

5.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

         Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem
the Securities at its option prior to December 15, 2006.

         On and after December 15, 2006, the Company shall be entitled at its
option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of
principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the
relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period
commencing on December 15 of the years set forth below:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                           Redemption
                  Period                                      Price
                  ------                                   ----------
                 <S>                                      <C>
                   2006                                     105.000%
                   2007                                     103.333%
                   2008                                     101.667%
                   2009                                     100.000%
                   2010                                     100.000%
</Table>

         In addition, prior to December 15, 2004, the Company shall be entitled
at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Securities (which includes
Additional Securities, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes
Additional Securities, if any) issued prior to such date at a redemption price
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 110.00%, plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the Net Cash Proceeds from one or
more Qualified Equity Offerings; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (1) at least 65% of
such aggregate principal amount of Securities (which includes Additional
Securities, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each
such redemption

<Page>
                                                                               5

(other than Securities held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its
Affiliates); and (2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date
of the related Qualified Equity Offering.

         Pending the application of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Qualified
Equity Offering to redeem Securities in accordance with the provisions of this
paragraph, Parent or its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily repay Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Guarantor with those Net Cash
Proceeds.

         The Company shall be entitled, at its option, at any time as a whole
prior to December 15, 2006, to redeem the Securities (which includes the
Additional Securities, if any) at a redemption price equal to the sum of:

                  (1) the principal amount thereof, plus

                  (2) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption
         date, plus

                  (3) the Applicable Premium at the redemption date.

         "APPLICABLE PREMIUM" means, with respect to any Security on any
redemption date, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such
Security and (2) the excess of (a) the present value at such redemption date of
(i) the redemption price of such Security at December 15, 2006 plus (ii) all
required interest payments due on such Security through December 15, 2006
(excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to
the Treasury Rate on such redemption date plus 50 basis points, over (b) the
principal amount of such Security.

         "TREASURY RATE" means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity
as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant
maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve
Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two
Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such statistical release is
no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most
nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to December 15, 2006;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the period from the redemption date to December 15,

<Page>
                                                                               6

2006 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security
for which a weekly average yield is given, then the Treasury Rate shall be
obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a
year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for
which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date
to December 15, 2006 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually
traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one
year shall be used.

6.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

         Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed
at the Holder's registered address. Securities in denominations of $1,000
principal amount or less may be redeemed in whole and not in part. Securities in
denominations larger than $1,000 principal amount may be redeemed in part but
only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient to pay the redemption
price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be
redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before
the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after
such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions
thereof) called for redemption.

7.  PUT PROVISIONS

         Upon a Change of Control (as defined in Section 4.02 of the Indenture),
each Holder will have the right to require that the Company purchase such
Holder's Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of
the Securities to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date) as
provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

         Under certain circumstances as set forth in the Indenture, the Company
will be required to offer to purchase Securities with the Net Available Cash
from Asset Dispositions.

<Page>
                                                                               7

8.  SUBORDINATION

         The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior
Indebtedness of the Company must be paid before the Securities may be paid. The
Company agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the
subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee
to give it effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

9.  GUARANTY

         The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium and
interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint
and several senior subordinated basis by each of the Guarantors.

10.  DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE

         The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer
or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may
require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or
transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by
the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any
Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption
of Securities to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.

11.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

         The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the Security's
owner for all purposes.

<Page>
                                                                               8

12.  UNCLAIMED MONEY

         If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for
two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company
at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After
any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company
and not to the Trustee for payment.

13.  DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

         Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be
entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities and
the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government
Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to
redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

14.  AMENDMENT, WAIVER

         Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture and the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities
and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the
written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of
the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture,
without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company, the Guarantors and the
Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any
ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to comply with Article 5 of the
Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place
of certificated Securities, to add guarantees with respect to the Securities,
including Guaranties, to secure the Securities, to add additional covenants or
surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company or the Guarantors, to
comply with any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture
under the Act, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights
of any Securityholder in any material respect or to evidence the release of a
Guarantor.

<Page>
                                                                              9

15.  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

         Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default in payment
of interest on the Securities, continued for 30 days; (ii) default in payment of
principal on the Securities at maturity, upon optional redemption pursuant to
paragraph 5 of the Securities, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, or
failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when required; (iii)
failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with other agreements in the
Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of
time; (iv) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace
period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company, any Guarantor
or any Significant Subsidiary if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds
$10 million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company, any Guarantor and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments
or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $10 million; and (vii) certain
defaults with respect to Guaranties. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable by notice in
writing to the Company and the Trustee, and upon such declaration the Securities
will be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
are Events of Default which will result in the Securities being due and payable
immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

         Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except
as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or
the Securities unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default
(except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.

<Page>
                                                                              10


16.  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

         Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

17.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

         No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the
Company or any Guarantor or the Trustee shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Securities, any Guaranty
or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

18.  AUTHENTICATION

         This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

19.  ABBREVIATIONS

         Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).

20.  CUSIP NUMBERS

         Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers and
corresponding ISINs to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee
to use CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISINs in notices of redemption as a
convenience to Securityholders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of
such numbers

<Page>
                                                                              11


either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of
redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers placed thereon.

21.  HOLDERS' COMPLIANCE WITH REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

         Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and
agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the
obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the
indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.

22.  GOVERNING LAW.

         THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF
ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

         THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND
WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE SECURITY HOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT
THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY IN LARGER TYPE. REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO:

                  UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC.
                  17103 PRESTON ROAD
                  SUITE 200 NORTH
                  DALLAS, TEXAS 75248

                  ATTENTION:  INVESTOR RELATIONS

<Page>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to


              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)


and irrevocably appoint _______________________ agent to transfer this Security
on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.


________________________________________________________________________________

Date: ___________________ Your Signature: ______________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities evidenced by this
certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule
144(k) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"),
after the later of the date of original issuance of such Securities and the last
date, if any, on which such Securities were owned by the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are
being transferred in accordance with its terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

         (1)      / /      to the Company; or

         (2)               / / in the United States to a "qualified
                           institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under
                           the Securities Act) that purchases for its own
                           account or for the account of a qualified
                           institutional buyer

<Page>
                                                                              12


                           to whom notice is given that such transfer is being
                           made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant
                           to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the
                           Securities Act; or

         (3)               / / outside the United States in an offshore
                           transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under
                           the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under
                           the Securities Act; or

         (4)               / / pursuant to the exemption from registration
                           provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

         (5)               / / pursuant to an effective registration statement
                           under the Securities Act.

         If such transfer is being made pursuant to an offshore transaction in
accordance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act, the undersigned further
certifies that:

                  (i) the offer of the Securities was not made to a person in
         the United States;

                  (ii) either (a) at the time the buy offer was originated, the
         transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on
         our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the
         United States, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through
         the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither
         we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has
         been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

                  (iii) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United
         States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903 or Rule 904 of
         Regulation S, as applicable;

                  (iv) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade
         the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

                  (v) we have advised the transferee of the transfer
         restrictions applicable to the Securities; and

<Page>
                                                                              13


                  (vi) if the circumstances set forth in Rule 904(B) under the
         Securities Act, are applicable, we have complied with the additional
         conditions therein, including (if applicable) sending a confirmation or
         other notice stating that the Securities may be offered and sold during
         the distribution compliance period specified in Rule 903 of Regulation
         S; pursuant to registration of the Securities under the Securities Act;
         or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration
         requirements under the Securities Act.

         Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register
         any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any
         person other than the registered holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
         that if box (3) or (4) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to
         require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Securities, such
         legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has
         reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made
         pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
         registration requirements of the Securities Act such as the exemption
         provided by Rule 144 under such Act.



                                                     ------------------------
                                                            Signature

Signature Guarantee:


--------------------------------------------         ------------------------
Signature must be guaranteed                                Signature

         Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership
or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar
in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<Page>

                                                                             14


              TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

         The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises
sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.


Dated: ___________                          ________________________________
                                            NOTICE:  To be executed by
                                                     an executive officer

<Page>

                                                                             15


              SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

<Table>
<Caption>
Date of        Amount of decrease       Amount of increase        Principal amount of          Signature of
Exchange       in Principal amount      in Principal              this Global Security         authorized officer
               of this Global           amount of this            following such               of Trustee or
               Security                 Global Security           decrease or increase         Securities Custodian
<S>            <C>                      <C>                       <C>                          <C>

</Table>


<Page>

                                                                             16


                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                  If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.02 or 4.07 of the Indenture, check the box: | |

                  If you want to elect to have only part of this Security
purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 or 4.07 of the Indenture,
state the amount in principal amount: $o


Date: _______________         Your Signature___________________________________
                                                  (Sign exactly as your name
                                                   appears on the other side of
                                                   this Security.)

Signature Guarantee: _________________________________________________
                               (Signature must be guaranteed)


Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the
requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or
participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such
other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in
addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.