Exhibit 99.1

Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer

            Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Joseph V. Vumbacco, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Health Management Associates, Inc., certify that (i) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Health Management Associates, Inc.

/s/ Joseph V. Vumbacco

Joseph V. Vumbacco
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: August 12, 2002