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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: December 19, 2002
(Date of earliest event reported)

Commission file number: 1-7293


TENET HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada
(State or Incorporation)
  95-2557091
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     

3820 State Street
Santa Barbara, California 93105
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(805) 563-7000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





ITEM 5. Other Events.

        On December 19, 2002, Jeffrey C. Barbakow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tenet Healthcare Corporation, a Nevada corporation, issued a letter to shareholders in the form of a press release. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.


ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements And Exhibits.


Exhibit No.
  Description
     
99   An Update and Progress Report to Tenet Shareholders From Jeffrey C. Barbakow, Chairman and CEO
     
     
     

2



SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    TENET HEALTHCARE CORPORATION    
           
    By:      
      /s/  JEFFREY C. BARBAKOW      
Jeffrey C. Barbakow
Chief Executive Officer
   
           
Date: December 19, 2002          
           
           
           

3



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

  Description
     
99   An Update and Progress Report to Tenet Shareholders From Jeffrey C. Barbakow, Chairman and CEO
     
     
     
     

4




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FORM 8–K
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX