Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                          RESTRICTED STOCK CERTIFICATE

                                Non-transferable

                                    GRANT TO

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

                      by LHC Group, Inc. (the "Company") of

           shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value (the "Shares")

pursuant to and subject to the provisions of the LHC Group, Inc. 2005
Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan, which is a sub-plan of the LHC Group,
Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and to the terms and conditions set forth
on the following page (the "Terms and Conditions"). By accepting the Shares,
Grantee shall be deemed to have agreed to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Certificate and the Plan.

         Unless sooner vested in accordance with Section 3 of the Terms and
Conditions, the restrictions imposed under Section 2 of the Terms and Conditions
will expire as to one-third of the Shares awarded hereunder on each of the first
three anniversaries of the Grant Date, provided that Grantee is then still
serving as a director of the Company:

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, LHC Group, Inc., acting by and through its duly
authorized officers, has caused this Certificate to be executed as of the Grant
Date.

                                                 LHC GROUP, INC.

                                                 By:
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                     Its:  Authorized Officer

                                                 Grant Date:
                                                             ------------------
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Grant of Shares. The Company hereby grants to the Grantee named on page 1
hereof ("Grantee"), subject to the restrictions and the other terms and
conditions set forth in the Plan and in this award certificate (this
"Certificate"), the number of shares indicated on page 1 hereof of the Company's
$0.01 par value common stock (the "Shares"). Capitalized terms used herein and
not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Plan.

2. Restrictions. The Shares are subject to each of the following restrictions.
"Restricted Shares" mean those Shares that are subject to the restrictions
imposed hereunder which restrictions have not then expired or terminated.
Restricted Shares may not be sold, transferred, exchanged, assigned, pledged,
hypothecated or otherwise encumbered. If Grantee's service as a director of the
Company or any Affiliate terminates for any reason other than as set forth in
paragraph (b) of Section 3 hereof, then Grantee shall forfeit all of Grantee's
right, title and interest in and to the Restricted Shares as of the date of
termination of service, and such Restricted Shares shall revert to the Company
immediately following the event of forfeiture. The restrictions imposed under
this Section shall apply to all shares of the Company's common stock or other
securities issued with respect to Restricted Shares hereunder in connection with
any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend or
other change in corporate structure affecting the common stock of the Company.

3. Expiration and Termination of Restrictions. The restrictions imposed under
Section 2 will expire on the earliest to occur of the following (the period
prior to such expiration being referred to herein as the "Restricted Period"):

         (a)      as to one-third of the Shares specified on page 1 hereof, on
                  the first three anniversaries of the Grant Date, provided that
                  Grantee is then still serving as a director of the Company; or

         (b)      the date of termination of Grantee's service as a director of
                  the Company due to his or her death, Disability or Retirement.

4. Delivery of Shares. The Shares will be registered in the name of Grantee as
of the Grant Date and may be held by the Company during the Restricted Period in
certificated or uncertificated form. If a certificate for Restricted Shares is
issued during the Restricted Period with respect to such Shares, such
certificate shall be registered in the name of Grantee and shall bear a legend
in substantially the following form (in addition to any legend required under
applicable state securities laws): "This certificate and the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture
and restrictions against transfer) contained in a Restricted Stock Certificate
between the registered owner of the shares represented hereby and LHC Group,
Inc. Release from such terms and conditions shall be made only in accordance
with the provisions of such Certificate, copies of which are on file in the
offices of LHC Group, Inc." Stock certificates for the Shares, without the first
above legend, shall be delivered to Grantee or Grantee's designee upon request
of Grantee after the expiration of the Restricted Period, but delivery may be
postponed for such period as may be required for the Company with reasonable
diligence to comply, if deemed advisable by the Company, with registration
requirements under the 1933 Act, listing requirements under the rules of any
stock exchange or the Nasdaq national market, and requirements under any other
law or regulation applicable to the issuance or transfer of the Shares.

5. Voting and Dividend Rights. Grantee, as beneficial owner of the Shares, shall
have full voting and dividend rights with respect to the Shares during and after
the Restricted Period. If Grantee forfeits any rights he may have under this
Certificate, Grantee shall no longer have any rights as a stockholder with
respect to the Restricted Shares or any interest therein and Grantee shall no
longer be entitled to receive dividends on such stock. In the event that for any
reason Grantee shall have received dividends upon such stock after such
forfeiture, Grantee shall repay to the Company any amount equal to such
dividends.

6. Changes in Capital Structure. The provisions of the Plan shall apply in the
case of a change in the capital structure of the Company. Without limiting the
foregoing, in the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Stock (stock-split),
a declaration of a dividend payable in Stock, or a combination or consolidation
of the outstanding Stock into a lesser number of shares, the Shares then subject
to this Certificate shall automatically be adjusted proportionately.

7. Payment of Taxes. Upon issuance of the Shares hereunder, Grantee may make an
election to be taxed upon such award under Section 83(b) of the Code. To effect
such election, Grantee may file an appropriate election with Internal Revenue
Service within thirty (30) days after award of the Shares and otherwise in
accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations. Grantee will, no later than the
date as of which any amount related to the Shares first becomes includable in
Grantee's gross income for federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or
make other arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of, any
federal, state and local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with
respect to such amount. The obligations of the Company under this Certificate
will be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company, and, where
applicable, its Affiliates will, to the extent permitted by law, have the right
to deduct any such taxes from the award or any payment of any kind otherwise due
to Grantee.

8. Amendment. The Committee may amend, modify or terminate this Certificate
without approval of Grantee; provided, however, that such amendment,
modification or termination shall not, without Grantee's consent, reduce or
diminish the value of this award determined as if it had been fully vested on
the date of such amendment or termination.

9. Plan Controls. The terms contained in the Plan are incorporated into and made
a part of this Certificate and this Certificate shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the Plan. In the event of any actual or alleged
conflict between the provisions of the Plan and the provisions of this
Certificate, the provisions of the Plan shall be controlling and determinative.

10. Severability. If any one or more of the provisions contained in this
Certificate is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the other
provisions of this Certificate will be construed and enforced as if the invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been included.

11. Notice. Notices and communications under this Certificate must be in writing
and either personally delivered or sent by registered or certified United States
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Notices to the Company must be
addressed to LHC Group, Inc., 420 West Lafayette, LA 70503; Attn: Secretary, or
any other address designated by the Company in a written notice to Grantee.
Notices to Grantee will be directed to the address of Grantee then currently on
file with the Company, or at any other address given by Grantee in a written
notice to the Company.<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

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                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             BETWEEN KEITH G. MYERS
                               AND LHC GROUP, INC.

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

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                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

1.       Effective Date....................................................1
2.       Employment and Directorship.......................................1
                (a)      Employment........................................1
                (a)      Directorship......................................1
3.       Employment Period.................................................1
4.       Extent of Service.................................................1
5.       Compensation and Benefits.........................................2

                (a)      Base Salary.......................................2
                (b)      Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans...........2
                (c)      Welfare Benefit Plans.............................2
                (d)      Expenses..........................................2
                (e)      Fringe Benefits...................................3
                (f)      Vacation..........................................3
                (g)      Office and Support Staff..........................3

6.      Change of Control..................................................3
7.      Termination of Employment..........................................4

                (a)      Death or Retirement...............................4
                (b)      Disability........................................4
                (c)      Termination by the Company........................5
                (d)      Termination by Executive..........................5
                (e)      Notice of Termination.............................5
                (f)      Date of Termination...............................6

8.      Obligations of the Company upon Termination........................6
                (a)     Termination by Executive for Good Reason;
                        Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause
                        or Disability......................................6
                (b)     Death, Disability or Retirement....................8
                (c)     Cause or Voluntary Termination without Good
                        Reason.............................................8
                (d)     Expiration of Employment Period....................8
                (e)     Resignations.......................................8
9.      Non-exclusivity of Rights..........................................8

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10.      Full Settlement; No Obligation to Mitigate.......................8
11.      Certain Additional Payments by the Company.......................9
12.      Costs of Enforcement............................................11
13.      Representations and Warranties..................................11
14.      Restrictions on Conduct of Executive............................11

                (a)      General.........................................11
                (b)      Definitions.....................................12
                (c)      Restrictive Covenants...........................13
                (d)      Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants............15

15.      Arbitration.....................................................16
16.      Assignment and Successors.......................................16
17.      Miscellaneous...................................................16

                                     - ii -

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                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
this ____ day of January, 2005 by and between LHC Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Keith G. Myers ("Executive"), to be effective
as of the Effective Date, as defined in Section 1.

                                   BACKGROUND

         Executive currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company. The Company desires to continue to engage Executive in such
capacity from and after the Effective Date, in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Executive is willing to serve as such in accordance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

         1.       Effective Date. The effective date of this Agreement (the
"Effective Date") shall be the effective date of a registration statement on
Form S-1 for the initial public offering of the common stock of the Company.

         2.       Employment and Directorship.

                  (a)      Employment. Executive is hereby employed on the
Effective Date as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In his
capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Executive
shall have the duties, responsibilities and authority commensurate with such
position as shall be assigned to him by the Board of Directors of the Company.
In his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
Executive will report directly to the Board of Directors.

                  (b)      Directorship. The Company will cause Executive to be
nominated to the Board of Directors of the company for a term of at least three
years (or three one year terms) and shall recommend to the stockholders of the
Company Executive's election to the Board.

         3.       Employment Period. Unless earlier terminated herein in
accordance with Section 7 hereof, Executive's employment shall be for a three
year term, beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary
of the Effective Date (the "Employment Period"). Beginning on the third
anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary of the
Effective Date, the Employment Period shall, without further action by Executive
or the Company, be extended by an additional one-year period; provided, however,
that either the Company or the Executive may, by notice to the other given at
least sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled expiration of the Employment
Period, cause the Employment Period to cease to extend automatically. Upon such
notice, the Employment Period shall terminate upon the expiration of the
then-current term, including any prior extensions.

         4.       Extent of Service. During the Employment Period, and excluding
any periods of vacation, holiday, sick leave and Company-approved leave of
absence to which Executive is entitled in accordance with Company policies,
Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his business time, attention,
skill and efforts exclusively to the faithful performance of his duties
hereunder. It shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (i)
devote reasonable

                                       1.

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time to charitable or community activities, (ii) serve on corporate, civic,
educational or charitable boards or committees, subject to the Company's
standards of business conduct or other code of ethics, (iii) deliver lectures or
fulfill speaking engagements from time to time on an infrequent basis, and/or
(iv) manage personal business interests and investments, subject to the
Company's standards of business conduct or other code of ethics, and so long as
such activities do not interfere in a material manner or on a routine basis with
the performance of Executive's responsibilities under this Agreement.

         5.       Compensation and Benefits.

                  (a)      Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the
Company will pay to Executive base salary at the rate of U.S. $275,000 per year
("Base Salary"), less normal withholdings, payable in approximately equal
bi-weekly or other installments as are or become customary under the Company's
payroll practices for its employees from time to time. The compensation
committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (or the full Board, if there
is no compensation committee) shall review Executive's Base Salary annually and
may increase (but not decrease) Executive's Base Salary from year to year. Such
adjusted salary then shall become Executive's Base Salary for purposes of this
Agreement. The annual review of Executive's salary by the Board will consider,
among other things, Executive's own performance, and the Company's performance.

                  (b)      Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the
Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive,
savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs available to
senior executive officers of the Company ("Peer Executives"), and on the same
basis as such Peer Executives. Without limiting the foregoing, the following
shall apply:

                           (i)      during the Employment Period, Executive will
be entitled to participate in the Company's executive bonus plan, pursuant to
which he will have an opportunity to receive an annual cash bonus based upon the
achievement of performance goals established from year to year by the
compensation committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (such bonus
earned at the stated "goal" level of achievement being referred to herein as the
"Target Bonus"); and

                           (ii)     during the Employment Period, Executive will
be eligible for grants, under the Company's long-term incentive plan or plans,
of stock options and/or restricted stock awards (or such other stock-based
awards as the Company makes to Peer Executives), having terms and determined in
the same manner as awards to other Peer Executives, unless the Executive
consents to a different type of award or different terms of such award than are
applicable to other Peer Executives. Nothing herein requires the Board of
Directors to make grants of options or other awards in any year.

                  (c)      Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period,
Executive and Executive's eligible dependents shall be eligible for
participation in, and shall receive all benefits under, the welfare benefit
plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company (including,
without limitation, medical, prescription drug, dental, disability, employee
life, dependent life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and
programs) ("Welfare Plans") to the extent available to other Peer Executives.

                  (d)      Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive
shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses
incurred by Executive in the course of

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 performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, in accordance
 with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company to the extent
 available to other Peer Executives with respect to travel, entertainment and
 other business expenses.

                  (e)      Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period,
Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the plans,
practices, programs and policies of the Company available to other Peer
Executives.

                  (f)      Vacation. During the Employment Period, Executive
will be entitled to such paid vacation time as may be provided from time to time
under any plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company available to
other Peer Executives.

                  (g)      Office and Support Staff. During the Employment
Period, Executive will be entitled to office, furnishings and equipment of
similar type and quality made available to other Peer Executives. During the
Employment Period, Executive will be entitled to secretarial and other
assistance reasonably necessary for the performance of his duties and
responsibilities.

         6.       Change of Control. For the purposes of this Agreement, a
"Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

                  (a)      individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute
                  the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent
                  Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
                  majority of such Board, provided that any person becoming a
                  director after the Effective Date and whose election or
                  nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a
                  majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board shall be
                  an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual
                  initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as
                  a result of an actual or threatened election contest with
                  respect to the election or removal of directors ("Election
                  Contest") or other actual or threatened solicitation of
                  proxies or consents by or on behalf of any "person" (such term
                  for purposes of this Section 6 being as defined in Section
                  3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
                  Act") and as used in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the
                  Exchange Act) other than the Board ("Proxy Contest"),
                  including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or
                  settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest, shall be deemed
                  an Incumbent Director; or

                  (b)      any person is or becomes a "beneficial owner" (as
                  defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
                  indirectly, of either (i) 35% or more of the then-outstanding
                  shares of common stock of the Company ("Company Common Stock")
                  or (ii) securities of the Company representing 35% or more of
                  the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
                  securities eligible to vote for the election of directors (the
                  "Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for
                  purposes of this paragraph (b), the following acquisitions of
                  Company Common Stock or Company Voting Securities shall not
                  constitute a Change of Control: (A) an acquisition directly
                  from the Company, (B) an acquisition by the Company or a
                  subsidiary of the Company, (C) an acquisition by any employee
                  benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the
                  Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or (D) an
                  acquisition pursuant to a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as
                  defined in paragraph (c) below); or

                  (c)      the consummation of a recapitalization,
                  reorganization, merger, consolidation, statutory share
                  exchange or similar form of transaction involving the Company
                  or a

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                  subsidiary of the Company (a "Reorganization"), or the sale or
                  other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's
                  assets (a "Sale") or the acquisition of assets or stock of
                  another entity (an "Acquisition"), unless immediately
                  following such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition: (A) all or
                  substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
                  beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding Company
                  Common Stock and outstanding Company Voting Securities
                  immediately prior to such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition
                  beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of,
                  respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and
                  the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                  securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
                  directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from or
                  surviving such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (including,
                  without limitation, an entity which as a result of such
                  transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of
                  the Company's assets or stock either directly or through one
                  or more subsidiary entities, the "Surviving Entity") in
                  substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
                  immediately prior to such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition,
                  of the outstanding Company Common Stock and the outstanding
                  Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, and (B) no
                  person (other than (x) the Company or any subsidiary of the
                  Company, (y) the Surviving Entity or its ultimate parent
                  entity, or (z) any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
                  sponsored or maintained by any of the foregoing) is the
                  beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of
                  the total common stock or 35% or more of the total voting
                  power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect
                  directors of the Surviving Entity, and (C) at least a majority
                  of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving
                  Entity were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board's
                  approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing
                  for such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (any
                  Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition which satisfies all of the
                  criteria specified in (A), (B) and (C) above shall be deemed
                  to be a "Non-Qualifying Transaction"); or

                  (d)      approval by the members or stockholders of the
                  Company, as the case may be, of a complete liquidation or
                  dissolution of the Company.

         7.       Termination of Employment.

                  (a)      Death or Retirement. Executive's employment shall
terminate automatically upon Executive's death or Retirement during the
Employment Period. For purposes of this Agreement, "Retirement" shall mean
normal retirement as defined in the Company's then-current retirement plan, or
if there is no such retirement plan, "Retirement" shall mean voluntary
termination after age 65 with at least ten years of service.

                  (b)      Disability. If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability (as defined below) of Executive has occurred during the
Employment Period, it may give to Executive written notice of its intention to
terminate Executive's employment. In such event, Executive's employment with the
Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such written
notice by Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the
30 days after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability"
shall have the same meaning as provided in the long-term disability plan or
policy maintained by the Company and covering Executive. If no such long-term
disability plan or policy is maintained, "Disability" shall mean the inability
of Executive, as determined by the Board, to perform the essential functions of
his regular duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable
accommodation, due to a medically determinable

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<PAGE>

physical or mental illness which has lasted (or can reasonably be expected to
last) for a period of six consecutive months.

                  (c)      Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate
Executive's employment during the Employment Period with or without Cause. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

                           (i)      the continued failure of Executive to
perform substantially Executive's duties with the Company (other than any such
failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness, or
following Executive's delivery of notice of termination for Good Reason, and
specifically excluding any failure by Executive, after reasonable efforts, to
meet performance expectations), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to Executive by the Board which specifically identifies
the manner in which the Board believes that Executive has not substantially
performed Executive's duties, or

                           (ii)     the engaging by Executive in illegal conduct
or gross misconduct which is injurious to the Company, or

                           (iii)    the conviction of Executive, or a plea of
guilty or nolo contendere by Executive, to a felony or other crime involving
moral turpitude.

         (d)      Termination by Executive. Executive's employment may be
terminated by Executive for Good Reason or no reason. For purposes of this
Agreement, unless written consent of Executive is obtained, "Good Reason" shall
mean:

                  (i)      the assignment to Executive of duties inconsistent in
material respect with Executive's position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect
on the Effective Date, or a material diminution in such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
Executive;

                  (ii)     a reduction by the Company in Executive's Base Salary
or Target Bonus as in effect on the Effective Date or, with respect to
Executive's Base Salary, as the same may be increased from time to time;

                  (iii)    any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
16(c) of this Agreement; or

                  (v)      the material breach by the Company of any other
provision of this Agreement.

         Any claim of "Good Reason" under this Agreement shall be communicated
by Executive to the Company in writing, which writing shall specifically
identify the factual details concerning the event(s) giving rise to Executive's
claim of Good Reason under this Section 7(d). The Company shall have an
opportunity to cure any claimed event of Good Reason within 30 days of such
notice from Executive.

                  (e)      Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company
for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 17(f) of
this Agreement. For purposes of this

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<PAGE>
Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the
extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated, and (iii) specifies the termination date. The failure by
Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude
Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance
in enforcing Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

                  (f)      Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i)
if Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or a
date within 30 days after receipt of the Notice of Termination, as specified in
such notice, (ii) if Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other
than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of
receipt of the Notice of Termination or a date within 90 days after receipt of
the Notice of Termination, as specified in such notice, (iii) if Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of Executive or the Disability Effective
Date, as the case may be, and (iv) if Executive's employment is terminated by
Executive without Good Reason, the Date of Termination shall be 60 days
following the Company's receipt of the Notice of Termination, unless the Company
specifies an earlier Date of Termination.

         8.       Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

                  (a)      Termination by Executive for Good Reason; Termination
by the Company Other Than for Cause or Disability. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company shall terminate Executive's employment other than for Cause
or Disability, or Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason within a
period of 90 days after the occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason,
then and, with respect to the payments and benefits described in clauses (i)(B)
and (ii) below, only if Executive executes a Release in substantially the form
of Exhibit A hereto (the "Release"):

                           (i)      the Company shall provide to Executive in a
single lump sum cash payment within 30 days after the Date of Termination, or if
later, within five days after the Release becomes effective and nonrevocable,
the aggregate of the following amounts:

                                    A.       the sum of the following amounts,
         to the extent not previously paid to Executive (the "Accrued
         Obligations"): (1) Executive's Base Salary through the Date of
         Termination, (2) a pro-rata bonus for the year in which the Date of
         Termination occurs, computed as the product of (x) Executive's Target
         Bonus for such year and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
         number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of
         Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, (3) any accrued pay
         in lieu of unused vacation (in accordance with the Company's vacation
         policy), and (4) unless Executive has a later payout date that is
         required in connection with the terms of a deferral plan or agreement,
         any vested compensation previously deferred by Executive (together with
         any amount equivalent to accrued interest or earnings thereon); and

                                    B.       a severance payment as determined
         pursuant to clause (x) or (y) below, as applicable:

<PAGE>

                           (x)      if the Date of Termination occurs before, or
         more than two years after, the occurrence of a Change of Control, the
         severance payment shall be the product of 24 (the "Regular Severance
         Factor") times one twelfth of the sum of (1) Executive's Base Salary in
         effect as of the Date of Termination (ignoring any decrease in
         Executive's Base Salary unless consented to by Executive), and (2) the
         greater of the average of the annual bonuses earned by Executive for
         the two fiscal years in which annual bonuses were paid immediately
         preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, or
         Executive's Target Bonus for the year in which the Date of Termination
         occurs; or

                           (y)      if the Date of Termination occurs within two
         years after the occurrence of a Change of Control, the severance
         payment shall be the product of 30 (the "Change of Control Severance
         Factor") times one twelfth of the sum of (1) Executive's Base Salary in
         effect as of the Date of Termination, and (2) the greater of the
         average of the annual bonuses earned by Executive for the two fiscal
         years in which annual bonuses were paid immediately preceding the year
         in which the Date of Termination occurs, or Executive's Target Bonus
         for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs; and

                  (ii)     the Company shall continue to provide, for a number
of months equal to the Regular Severance Factor or the Change of Control
Severance Factor (determined in Section 8(a)(i)(B)(x) or (y) above, as
applicable) after Executive's Date of Termination (the "Welfare Benefits
Continuation Period"), or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of
the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, any group health benefits to
which Executive and/or Executive's eligible dependents would otherwise be
entitled to continue under COBRA, or benefits substantially equivalent to those
group health benefits which would have been provided to them in accordance with
the Welfare Plans described in Section 5(c) of this Agreement if Executive's
employment had not been terminated, provided, however, that if Executive becomes
employed with another employer (including self-employment) and receives group
health benefits under another employer provided plan, the Company's obligation
to provide group health benefits described herein shall cease, except as
otherwise provided by law and provided, further, that the Welfare Benefits
Continuation Period shall run concurrently with any period for which Executive
is eligible to elect health coverage under COBRA; and

                  (iii)    all grants of stock options and other equity awards
granted by the Company and held by Executive as of the Date of Termination will
become immediately vested and exercisable as of the Date of Termination and, to
the extent necessary, this Agreement is hereby deemed an amendment of any such
outstanding stock option or other equity award; and

                  (iv)     to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under
any plan, program, policy or practice of the Company to the extent provided to
Peer Executives prior to the Date of Termination (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").

          If Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause
 prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control and if it can reasonably be
 shown that Executive's termination (i) was at the direction or request of a
 third party that had taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in
 Control after such termination, or (ii) otherwise occurred in anticipation of a
 Change in Control, and in either case a Change in Control as defined hereunder
 does, in fact,

                                       7
<PAGE>

occur, then Executive shall have the rights described in this Section 8(a) as if
the Change in Control had occurred on the date immediately preceding the Date of
Termination.

                 Executive acknowledges and agrees that the receipt of severance
benefits provided in this Section 8(a) constitutes consideration for the
restrictions on the conduct of Executive contained in Section 14 of this
Agreement.

                  (b)      Death, Disability or Retirement. If Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of his death, Disability or Retirement during
the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to Executive or his estate, beneficiaries or legal representatives,
other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Executive or
his estate, beneficiary or legal representative, as applicable, in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of
Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as used in this Section 8(b) shall
include, without limitation, and Executive or his estate, beneficiaries or legal
representatives, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive, benefits under
such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death, disability or
retirement benefits, if any, as are applicable to Executive or his family on the
Date of Termination.

                  (c)      Cause or Voluntary Termination without Good Reason.
If Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment
Period, or if Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment
Period without Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations
(excluding the pro-rata bonus described in clause 2 of Section 8(a)(i)(A)) and
the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.

                  (d)      Expiration of Employment Period. If Executive's
employment shall be terminated due to the normal expiration of the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Executive,
other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
provision of Other Benefits.

                  (e)      Resignations. Termination of Executive's employment
for any reason whatsoever shall constitute Executive's resignation from the
Board of Directors of the Company and resignation as an officer of the Company,
its subsidiaries and affiliates.

         9.       Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit Executive's continuing or future participation in any employee
benefit plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company and for which
Executive may qualify, except as specifically provided herein. Amounts which are
vested benefits or which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any
employee benefit plan, policy, practice or program of the Company, its
subsidiaries or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of
Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or
program except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

         10.      Full Settlement; No Obligation to Mitigate. The Company's
obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to
perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the
Company may have against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be
obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation
of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this
Agreement and, except as explicitly

                                       8
<PAGE>
provided herein, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive
obtains other employment.

         11.      Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

                  (a)      Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit
of Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to
any additional payments required under this Section 11) (a "Payment") would be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any interest or penalties are incurred by
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment
(a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by Executive of all
taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties
imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment,
Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax
imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 1l(a), if it shall be determined that Executive is entitled to a
Gross-Up Payment, but that Executive, after taking into account the Payments and
the Gross-Up Payment, would not receive a net after-tax benefit of at least
$50,000 (taking into account both income taxes and any Excise Tax) as compared
to the net after-tax proceeds to Executive resulting from an elimination of the
Gross-Up Payment and a reduction of the Payments, in the aggregate, to an amount
(the "Reduced Amount") such that the receipt of Payments would not give rise to
any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to Executive and the
Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. Executive
may select the Payments to be limited or reduced.

                  (b)      Subject to the provisions of Section 1l(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 11, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be used in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a
certified public accounting firm selected by Executive (other than the Company's
regular accounting firm) and reasonably acceptable to the Company (the
"Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to
the Company and Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from
Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is reasonably
requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be
borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to
this Section 11, shall be paid by the Company to Executive within five days of
the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. As a result of
the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of
the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been
made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 1l(c) and Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of Executive.

                  (c)      Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of a Gross-Up

                                       9
<PAGE>

Payment (or an additional Gross-Up Payment). Such notification shall be given as
soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after Executive is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of
such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Executive
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which he gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period
ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).
If the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall:

                  (i)      give the Company any information reasonably requested
by the Company relating to such claim,

                  (ii)     take such action in connection with contesting such
claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to
such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

                  (iii)    cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and

                  (iv)     permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of
this Section ll(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest (to the extent applicable to the Excise Tax and the
Gross-Up Payment) and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in
any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a
determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Executive to pay such
claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment
to Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Executive
harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance
or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further
provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of
taxes for the taxable year of Executive with respect to which such contested
amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.
Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues
with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other
issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

                  (d)      If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c), Executive becomes entitled
to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to
the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 11(c)) promptly pay to
the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or

                                       10

<PAGE>

credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c), a
determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled to any refiind with
respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Executive in writing of
its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days
after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be
required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent
thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

         12.      Costs of Enforcement. In any action taken in good faith
relating to the enforcement of this Agreement or any provision herein, Executive
shall be entitled to reimbursement for any and all costs and expenses incurred
by him in enforcing or establishing his rights thereunder, including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, whether suit be brought or not, and
whether or not incurred in arbitration, trial, bankruptcy or appellate
proceedings, but only if and to the extent Executive is successful in asserting
such rights. Executive shall also be entitled to be paid all reasonable legal
fees and expenses, if any, incurred in connection with any tax audit or
proceeding to the extent attributable to the application of Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code to any payment or benefit hereunder.

         13.      Representations and Warranties. Executive hereby represents
and warrants to the Company that Executive is not a party to, or otherwise
subject to, any covenant not to compete with any person or entity, and
Executive's execution of this Agreement and performance of his obligations
hereunder will not violate the terms or conditions of any contract or
obligation, written or oral, between Executive and any other person or entity.

         14. Restrictions on Conduct of Executive.

                  (a)      General. Executive and the Company understand and
agree that the purpose of the provisions of this Section 14 is to protect
legitimate business interests of the Company, as more fully described below, and
is not intended to impair or infringe upon Executive's right to work, earn a
living, or acquire and possess property from the fruits of his labor. Executive
hereby acknowledges that Executive has received good and valuable consideration
for the post-employment restrictions set forth in this Section 14 in the form of
the compensation and benefits provided for herein. Executive hereby further
acknowledges that the post-employment restrictions set forth in this Section 14
are reasonable and that they do not, and will not, unduly impair his ability to
earn a living after the termination of this Agreement.

                  In addition, the parties acknowledge: (A) that Executive's
services under this Agreement require unique expertise and talent in the
provision of Competitive Services and that Executive will have substantial
contacts with customers, suppliers, advertisers and vendors of the Company; (B)
that pursuant to this Agreement, Executive will be placed in a position of trust
and responsibility and he will have access to a substantial amount of
Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and that the Company is placing him
in such position and giving him access to such information in reliance upon his
agreement not to solicit customers during the Restricted Period; (C) that due to
Executive's unique experience and talent, the loss of Executive's services to
the Company under this Agreement cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated
solely by damages in an action at law; (D) that Executive is capable of
competing with the Company; and (E) that Executive is capable of obtaining
gainful, lucrative and desirable employment that does not violate the
restrictions contained in this Agreement.

                  Therefore, Executive shall be subject to the restrictions set
forth in this Section 14.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  (b)      Definitions. The following capitalized terms used in
this Section 14 shall have the meanings assigned to them below, which
definitions shall apply to both the singular and the plural forms of such terms:

               "Competitive Services" means the business of providing post-acute
 healthcare services, including home-based services through home nursing
 agencies and hospices and facility-based services through long-term acute care
 hospitals and outpatient rehabilitation clinics.

               "Confidential Information" means all information regarding the
 Company, its activities, business or clients that is the subject of reasonable
 efforts by the Company to maintain its confidentiality and that is not
 generally disclosed by practice or authority to persons not employed by the
 Company, but that does not rise to the level of a Trade Secret. "Confidential
 Information" shall include, but is not limited to, financial plans and data
 concerning the Company; management planning information; business plans;
 operational methods; market studies; marketing plans or strategies; product
 development techniques or plans; customer lists; customer files, data and
 financial information, details of customer contracts; current and anticipated
 customer requirements; identifying and other information pertaining to business
 referral sources; past, current and planned research and development; business
 acquisition plans; and new personnel acquisition plans. "Confidential
 Information" shall not include information that has become generally available
 to the public by the act of one who has the right to disclose such information
 without violating any right or privilege of the Company. This definition shall
 not limit any definition of "confidential information" or any equivalent term
 under state or federal law.

               "Determination Date" means the date of termination of Executive's
 employment with the Company for any reason whatsoever or any earlier date
 (during the Employment Period) of an alleged breach of the Restrictive
 Covenants by Executive.

               "Person" means any individual or any corporation, partnership,
 joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity or
 enterprise.

               "Principal or Representative" means a principal, owner, partner,
stockholder, joint venturer, investor, member, trustee, director, officer,
manager, employee, agent, representative or consultant.

               "Protected Customers" means any Person to whom the Company has
 sold its products or services or solicited to sell its products or services,
 other than through general advertising targeted at consumers, during the 12
 months prior to the Determination Date.

               "Protected Employees" means employees of the Company who were
 employed by the Company or its affiliates at any time within six months prior
 to the Determination Date, other than those who were discharged by the Company
 or such affiliated employer without cause.

               "Restricted Period" means the Employment Period plus 24 months
 (or the Employment Period plus 6 months if Executive's termination occurs
 within two years after the occurrence of a Change in Control); provided,
 however, that the Restricted Period shall end with respect to the covenants in
 clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 14(c) on the 60th day after the Date of
 Termination in the event the Company breaches its obligation, if any, to make
 any payment required under Section 8(a)(i).

                                       12

<PAGE>

               "Restricted Territory" means the geographical territory described
on Exhibit B hereto.

               "Restrictive Covenants" means the restrictive covenants
contained in Section 14(c) hereof.

               "Third Party Information" means confidential or proprietary
information subject to a duty on the Company's and its affiliates' part to
maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain
limited purposes.

               "Trade Secret" means all information, without regard to form,
including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, a formula, a
pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a
process, financial data, financial plans, product plans, distribution lists or a
list of actual or potential customers, advertisers or suppliers which is not
commonly known by or available to the public and which information: (A) derives
economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not
being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain
economic value from its disclosure or use; and (B) is the subject of efforts
that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. Without
limiting the foregoing, Trade Secret means any item of confidential information
that constitutes a "trade secret(s)" under the common law or statutory law of
the State of Delaware.

               "Work Product" means all inventions, innovations, improvements,
developments, methods, processes, programs, designs, analyses, drawings,
reports, and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) that
relate to the Company's or its affiliates' actual or anticipated business,
research and development, or existing or future products or services and that
are conceived, developed, contributed to, made, or reduced to practice by
Executive (either solely or jointly with others) while employed by the Company
or its affiliates.

          (c)     Restrictive Covenants.

                  (i)      Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential
Information and Trade Secrets. Executive understands and agrees that the
Confidential Information and Trade Secrets constitute valuable assets of the
Company and its affiliated entities, and may not be converted to Executive's own
use. Accordingly, Executive hereby agrees that Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, at any time during the Restricted Period reveal, divulge, or
disclose to any Person not expressly authorized by the Company any Confidential
Information, and Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, at any time during
the Restricted Period use or make use of any Confidential Information in
connection with any business activity other than that of the Company. Throughout
the term of this Agreement and at all times after the date that this Agreement
terminates for any reason, Executive shall not directly or indirectly transmit
or disclose any Trade Secret of the Company to any Person, and shall not make
use of any such Trade Secret, directly or indirectly, for himself or for others,
without the prior written consent of the Company. The parties acknowledge and
agree that this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter either the
Company's rights or Executive's obligations under any state or federal statutory
or common law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices.

                  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive
shall not be restricted from disclosing or using Confidential Information or any
Trade Secret that is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other legal
process; provided, however, that in the event disclosure is required by law,
Executive shall provide the Company with prompt notice of such

                                       13

<PAGE>
requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order prior
to any such required disclosure by Executive.

               Executive acknowledges that any and all Confidential Information
is the exclusive property of the Company and agrees to deliver to the Company on
the Date of Termination, or at any other time the Company may request in
writing, any and all Confidential Information which he may then possess or have
under his control in whatever form same may exist, including, but not by way of
limitation, hard copy files, soft copy files, computer disks, and all copies
thereof.

                  (ii)     Nonsolicitation of Protected Employees. Executive
understands and agrees that the relationship between the Company and each of its
Protected Employees constitutes a valuable asset of the Company and may not be
converted to Executive's own use. Accordingly, Executive hereby agrees that
during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not directly or indirectly on
Executive's own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any Person or
otherwise solicit or induce any Protected Employee to terminate his employment
relationship with the Company or to enter into employment with any other Person.

                  (iii)    Restriction on Relationships with Protected
Customers. Executive understands and agrees that the relationship between the
Company and each of its Protected Customers constitutes a valuable asset of the
Company and may not be converted to Executive's own use. Accordingly, Executive
hereby agrees that, during the Restricted Period and in the Restricted
Territory, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company, directly or indirectly, on Executive's own behalf or as a Principal or
Representative of any Person, solicit, divert, take away or attempt to solicit,
divert or take away a Protected Customer for the purpose of providing or selling
Competitive Services; provided, however, that the prohibition of this covenant
shall apply only to Protected Customers with whom Executive had Material Contact
on the Company's behalf during the 12 months immediately preceding the Date of
Termination; and, provided further, that the prohibition of this covenant shall
not apply to the conduct of general advertising activities. For purposes of this
Agreement, Executive had "Material Contact" with a Protected Customer if (a) he
had business dealings with the Protected Customer on the Company's behalf; (b)
he was responsible for supervising or coordinating the dealings between the
Company and the Protected Customer; or (c) he obtained Trade Secrets or
Confidential Information about the customer as a result of his association with
the Company.

                  (iv)     Ownership of Work Product. Executive acknowledges
that the Work Product belongs to the Company or its affiliates and Executive
hereby assigns, and agrees to assign, all of the Work Product to the Company or
its affiliates. Any copyrightable work prepared in whole or in part by Executive
in the course of his work for any of the foregoing entities shall be deemed a
"work made for hire" under the copyright laws, and the Company or such affiliate
shall own all rights therein. To the extent that any such copyrightable work is
not a "work made for hire," Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the
Company or such affiliate all right, title, and interest, including without
limitation, copyright in and to such copyrightable work. Executive shall
promptly disclose such Work Product and copyrightable work to the Board and
perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board (whether during or after
the Employment Period) to establish and confirm the Company's or such
affiliate's ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents,
powers of attorney, and other instruments).

                  (v)      Third Party Information. Executive understands that
the Company and its affiliates will receive Third Party Information. During the
Employment Period and thereafter,

                                       14

<PAGE>

and without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 14(c)(i) above,
Executive will hold Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and will
not disclose to anyone (other than personnel of the Company or its affiliates
who need to know such information in connection with their work for the Company
or its affiliates) or use, except in connection with his work for the Company or
its affiliates, Third Party Information unless expressly authorized by a member
of the Board (other than Executive) in writing.

                  (vi)     Use of Information of Prior Employers. During the
Employment Period, Executive will not improperly use or disclose any
confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employers or
any other person to whom Executive has an obligation of confidentiality, and
will not bring onto the premises of the Company or any of its affiliates any
unpublished documents or any property belonging to any former employer or any
other person to whom Executive has an obligation of confidentiality unless
consented to by in writing the former employer or person. Executive will use in
the performance of his duties only information which is (i) generally known and
used by persons with training and experience comparable to Executive's and which
is (x) common knowledge in the industry or (y) is otherwise legally in the
public domain, (ii) is otherwise provided or developed by the Company or its
affiliates or (iii) in the case of materials, property or information belonging
to any former employer or other person to whom Executive has an obligation of
confidentiality, approved for such use in writing by such former employer or
person.

         (d)      Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants.

                  (i)      Rights and Remedies Upon Breach. In the event
Executive breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of
the Restrictive Covenants, the Company shall have the right and remedy to
enjoin, preliminarily and permanently, Executive from violating or threatening
to violate the Restrictive Covenants and to have the Restrictive Covenants
specifically enforced by any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction, it
being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants
would cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not
provide an adequate remedy to the Company. Such right and remedy shall be
independent of any others and severally enforceable, and shall be in addition
to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company
at law or in equity.

                  (ii)     Severabilitv of Covenants. Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and valid in time and scope
and in all other respects. The covenants set forth in this Agreement shall be
considered and construed as separate and independent covenants. Should any part
or provision of any covenant be held invalid, void or unenforceable, such
invalidity, voidness or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void or
unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement. If any portion of
the foregoing provisions is found to be invalid or unenforceable because its
duration, the territory, the definition of activities or the definition of
information covered is considered to be invalid or unreasonable in scope, the
invalid or unreasonable term shall be redefined, or a new enforceable term
provided, such that the intent of the Company and Executive in agreeing to the
provisions of this Agreement will not be impaired and the provision in question
shall be enforceable to the fullest extent of the applicable laws.

                  (iii)    Reformation. The parties hereunder agree that it is
their intention that the Restrictive Covenants be enforced in accordance with
their terms to the maximum extent possible under applicable law. The parties
further agree that, in the event any tribunal of competent jurisdiction shall
find that any provision hereof is not enforceable in accordance with

                                       15

<PAGE>
its terms, the tribunal shall reform the Restrictive Covenants such that they
shall be enforceable to the maximum extent permissible at law.

         15.      Arbitration. Any claim or dispute arising under or relating to
this Agreement or the breach, termination, or validity of any term of this
Agreement, including, but not by way of limitation, the legality and
enforceability of the Restrictive Covenants, shall be subject to arbitration,
and prior to commencing any court action, the parties agree that they shall
arbitrate all controversies; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 15
shall prohibit the Company from exercising its right under Section 14(d)(i) to
pursue injunctive remedies with respect to a breach or threatened breach of the
Restrictive Covenants. The arbitration shall be conducted in Lafayette,
Louisiana, in accordance with the Employment Dispute Rules of the American
Arbitration Association and the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Section 1, et.
seq. The arbitrators) shall be authorized to award both liquidated and actual
damages, in addition to injunctive relief, but no punitive damages. The
arbitrators) may also award attorney's fees and costs, without regard to any
restriction on the amount of such award under Delaware or other applicable law.
Such an award shall be binding and conclusive upon the parties hereto, subject
to 9 U.S.C. Section 10. Each party shall have the right to have the award made
the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

         16.      Assignment and Successors.

                  (a)      This Agreement is personal to Executive and without
the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive's legal
representatives.

                  (b)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

                  (c)      The Company will require any Surviving Entity
resulting from a Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (if other than the Company)
to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and
to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no
Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition had taken place. As used in this Agreement,
"Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to
its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this
Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

         17.      Miscellaneous.

                  (a)      Waiver. Failure of either party to insist, in one or
more instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment
of any right granted in this Agreement or of the future performance of any such
term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless
such waiver is contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.

                  (b)      Severabilitv. If any provision or covenant, or any
part thereof, of this Agreement should be held by any tribunal of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, either in whole or in
part, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the
validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions or covenants,
or any part thereof, of this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force
and effect.

                                       16

<PAGE>

                  (c)      Other Agents. Nothing in this Agreement is to be
interpreted as limiting the Company from employing other personnel on such terms
and conditions as may be satisfactory to it, except that this Section 17(c)
shall not override the provision of Section 7(d)(i).

                  (d)      Entire Agreement. Except as provided herein, this
Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and Executive with
respect to the subject matter hereof and, from and after the Effective Date,
this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, including without limitation, the Prior
Agreement.

                  (e)      Governing Law. Except to the extent preempted by
federal law, and without regard to conflict of laws principles, the laws of the
State of Delaware shall govern this Agreement in all respects, whether as to its
validity, construction, capacity, performance or otherwise.

                  (f)      Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given if delivered or three days after mailing if
mailed, first class, certified mail, postage prepaid:

          To the Company:   LHC Group, Inc.
                            Suite A
                            420 W. Pinhook Road
                            Lafayette, LA 70503
                            Attention: General Counsel

          To Executive:     Keith G. Myers

Any party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands and other
communications shall be delivered or mailed by giving notice thereof to the
other party in the same manner provided herein.

                  (g)      Amendments and Modifications. This Agreement may be
amended or modified only by a writing signed by both parties hereto, which makes
specific reference to this Agreement.

                  (h)      Construction. Each party and his or its counsel have
reviewed this Agreement and have been provided the opportunity to revise this
Agreement and accordingly, the normal rule of construction to the effect that
any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be
employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Instead, the language of all
parts of this Agreement shall be construed as a whole, and according to its fair
meaning, and not strictly for or against either party.

                  (i)      Withholding. The Company or its subsidiaries, if
applicable, shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from any amounts owing from
the Company or any such affiliate to Executive any federal, state, local or
foreign withholding taxes, excise taxes, or employment taxes ("Taxes") imposed
with respect to Executive's compensation or other payments from the Company or
any of its affiliates. In the event the Company or its affiliates do not make
such deductions or withholdings, Executive shall indemnify the Company and its
affiliates for any amounts paid with respect to any such Taxes.

                                       17

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered
this Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.

18

                                  LHC GROUP, INC.

                                  By:  Barr Brown
                                     -----------------------
                                  Title: Sr. VP & CFO
                                         -------------------

                                  EXECUTIVE:

                                  /s/ Keith G. Myers
                                  --------------------------
                                  Keith G. Myers

                                       18
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT A
                                Form of Release

         THIS RELEASE ("Release") is granted effective as of the______day of
________, 20__ , by_______("Executive") in favor of LHC Group, Inc. (the
"Company"). This is the Release referred to that certain Employment Agreement
effective as of ________, 200_ by and between the Company and Executive (the
"Employment Agreement"), with respect to which this Release is an integral part.

         FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the payments and benefits provided by
Section 8 of the Employment Agreement and the Company's other promises and
covenants as recited in the Employment Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, Executive, for himself, his successors and
assigns, now and forever hereby releases and discharges the Company and all its
past and present officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents, parent
corporations, predecessors, subsidiaries, affiliates, estates, successors,
assigns, benefit plans, consultants, administrators, and attorneys (hereinafter
collectively referred to as "Releasees") from any and all claims, charges,
actions, causes of action, sums of money due, suits, debts, covenants,
contracts, agreements, promises, demands or liabilities (hereinafter
collectively referred to as "Claims") whatsoever, in law or in equity, whether
known or unknown, which Executive ever had or now has from the beginning of time
up to the date this Release ("Release") is executed, including, but not limited
to, claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
(and all of its amendments), the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, or
any other federal or state statutes, all tort claims, all claims for wrongful
employment termination or breach of contract, and any other claims which
Executive has, had, or may have against the Releasees on account of or arising
out of Executive's employment with or termination from the Company; provided,
however, that nothing contained in this Release shall in any way diminish or
impair (i) any rights of Executive to the benefits conferred or referenced in
the Employment Agreement or Executive's Retention Bonus Agreement with the
Company, (ii) any rights to indemnification that may exist from time to time
under the Company's bylaws, certificate of incorporation, Delaware law or
otherwise, or (iii) Executive's ability to raise an affirmative defense in
connection with any lawsuit or other legal claim or charge instituted or
asserted by the Company against Executive.

         Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive hereby
acknowledges and covenants that in consideration for the sums being paid to him
he has knowingly waived any right or opportunity to assert any claim that is in
any way connected with any employment relationship or the termination of any
employment relationship which existed between the Company and Executive.
Executive further understands and agrees that he has knowingly relinquished,
waived and forever released any and all remedies arising out of the aforesaid
employment relationship or the termination thereof, including, without
limitation, claims for backpay, front pay, liquidated damages, compensatory
damages, general damages, special damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages,
costs, expenses and attorneys' fees.

         Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that he has knowingly
and voluntarily released the Company and all other Releasees from any and all
claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"), 29
U.S.C. Section 621, et seq., which Executive ever had or now has from the
beginning of time up to the date this Release is executed, including but not
limited to those claims which are in any way connected with any employment
relationship or

                                        1

<PAGE>

the termination of any employment relationship which existed between the Company
and Executive. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that he has been
advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release and that he
has been given twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release prior to its
execution. Executive also understands that he may revoke this Release at any
time within seven (7) days following its execution. Executive understands,
however, that this Release shall not become effective and that none of the
consideration described above shall be paid to him until the expiration of the
seven-day revocation period.

         Executive agrees never to seek reemployment or future employment with
the Company or any of the other Releasees.

         Executive acknowledges that the terms of this Release must be kept
confidential. Accordingly, Executive agrees not to disclose or publish to any
person or entity, except as required by law or as necessary to prepare tax
returns, the terms and conditions or sums being paid in connection with this
Release.

         It is understood and agreed by Executive that the payment made to him
is not to be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever on the part
of the Company or any of the other Releasees, by whom liability is expressly
denied.

         This Release is executed by Executive voluntarily and is not based upon
any representations or statements of any kind made by the Company or any of the
other Releasees as to the merits, legal liabilities or value of his claims.
Executive further acknowledges that he has had a full and reasonable opportunity
to consider this Release and that he has not been pressured or in any way
coerced into executing this Release.

         Executive acknowledges and agrees that this Release may not be revoked
at any time after the expiration of the seven-day revocation period and that he
will not institute any suit, action, or proceeding, whether at law or equity,
challenging the enforceability of this Release. Executive further acknowledges
and agrees that, with the exception of an action to challenge his waiver of
claims under the ADEA, he shall not ever attempt to challenge the terms of this
Release, attempt to obtain an order declaring this Release to be null and void,
or institute litigation against the Company or any other Releasee based upon a
claim which is covered by the terms of the release contained herein, without
first repaying all monies paid to him under Section 8 of the Employment
Agreement. Furthermore, with the exception of an action to challenge his waiver
of claims under the ADEA, if Executive does not prevail in an action to
challenge this Release, to obtain an order declaring this Release to be null and
void, or in any action against the Company or any other Releasee based upon a
claim which is covered by the release set forth herein, Executive shall pay to
the Company and/or the appropriate Releasee all their costs and attorneys' fees
incurred in their defense of Executive's action.

         This Release and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall
be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.
If any provision hereof is unenforceable or is held to be unenforceable, such
provision shall be fully severable, and this document and its terms shall be
construed and enforced as if such unenforceable provision had never comprised a
part hereof, the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and
effect, and the court construing the provisions shall add as a part hereof a
provision as similar in terms and effect to such unenforceable provision as may
be enforceable, in lieu of the unenforceable provision.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         This document contains all terms of the Release and supersedes and
invalidates any previous agreements or contracts. No representations,
inducements, promises or agreements, oral or otherwise, which are not embodied
herein shall be of any force or effect.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned acknowledges that he has read these
three pages and he sets his hand and seal this________day of ____________, 20__.

                                                ____________________________

Sworn to and subscribed
before me this _____ day of
_____________, 20__.

________________________
Notary Public

My Commission Expires:

________________________

                                       3
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT B
                              Restricted Territory

                                       1

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