Jan 7, 2003
Guidant Named One of FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies To Work For

Company Named To Prestigious Ranking For Fourth Time In Five Years

Indianapolis, Ind. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced that it has been selected as one of FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For. This marks the second consecutive year, and the fourth time in five years that Guidant has made FORTUNE''s list. The listing appears in the January 20, 2003 issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands January 13, and at www.fortune.com today.

"Making the FORTUNE list for the fourth time in five years validates the outstanding contributions of our employee-owners, whose capabilities are integral to Guidant''s success," said Ronald W. Dollens, president and chief executive officer of Guidant. "This accomplishment is also a reflection of the continued strength and dedication of our employees to advancing Guidant''s mission to provide leading-edge technology to physicians and lifesaving therapy to patients. We are honored once again to be a part of this prestigious list."

The companies named to FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For are determined by conducting a survey of a randomly selected group of employees from hundreds of companies across the United States. Each company was also asked to fill out a questionnaire describing its human resources policies and workplace culture. In scoring the responses, the greatest weight was placed on the employee responses (two-thirds of the total).

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to millions of cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of more than 10,000 employees, develops, manufactures and markets a broad array of products and services that enable less-invasive care for some of life''s most threatening medical conditions. For more information visit www.guidant.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information about Guidant, including its products and services, please visit the company''s newsroom at www.guidant.com/newsroom.