Jan 10, 2005
Guidant Named One of FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies To Work For

Company Named To Prestigious Ranking For Fifth Time

Indianapolis, Ind. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT) today announced that it has been selected as one of FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For. Guidant ranked 52nd among the nation's top companies, marking the fifth time that the company has made FORTUNE''s list. The list and related stories appear in FORTUNE's January 24 issue, on newsstands January 17, and at www.fortune.com today.

"Being named to the FORTUNE list for the fifth time validates the outstanding contributions of our employee-owners, whose talents and capabilities are the cornerstone of Guidant''s success," said Ronald W. Dollens, president and chief executive officer of Guidant. "This accomplishment is particularly meaningful this year, as our employees have faced challenges with resiliency and determination, and never wavered in their dedication to advancing Guidant''s mission to provide innovative 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 determining the rankings, the greatest weight was placed on the employee responses.

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 12,000 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.