UTICA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2006--CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq: CNMD) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Joseph J. Corasanti to be its next Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2007. He currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer. He will succeed Eugene R. Corasanti who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors in the capacity of non-executive Chairman. Mr. Eugene Corasanti will relinquish his executive functions at the Company on December 31, 2006, remaining employed by the Company as Vice Chairman.

Mr. Eugene Corasanti is the founder of CONMED Corporation and has led its growth from a start-up in the 1970's to its present position as a leader in the medical technology marketplace. Mr. Joseph Corasanti joined the Company in 1993 as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1994. In 1998 he assumed the role of Executive Vice-President and General Manager. In 1999 he was appointed to his present position of President and Chief Operating Officer. He will remain a Director of the Company.

"CONMED Corporation is ready for its next generation of leadership," noted Mr. Eugene Corasanti. "Joe has been in charge of the day-to-day operations of the organization for the last seven years, so this will be a seamless transition. I know he looks forward to leading CONMED to new levels of achievement," added Eugene Corasanti.

Mr. Joseph Corasanti said, "My father has been an inspiration to me and all of us at CONMED. I am pleased that he will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors and continue to provide valuable input to the Board and guidance to the entire organization. CONMED has tremendous opportunity for continued growth with a broad base of products, seasoned executive management, and a loyal group of employees enabling us to well serve the healthcare market. I look forward to my new responsibilities."

Mr. Joseph Corasanti will add the title of Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2007, in addition to his present title as President. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of II-VI, Inc. (Nasdaq: IIVI), a manufacturer of optical and electro-optical components and devices for infrared, e-ray, gamma-ray, telecommunication and other applications, where he also serves as a member of the audit committee. He holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from Hobart College and a J.D degree from Whittier College School of Law. He is admitted to the state bar of both New York and California. Prior to joining CONMED Corporation, he worked as a trial attorney in the Los Angeles office of Morgan Wenzel and McNichols, a practice concentrating on business and civil litigation.

CONMED Profile

CONMED is a medical technology company with an emphasis on surgical devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures and monitoring. The Company's products serve the clinical areas of arthroscopy, powered surgical instruments, electrosurgery, cardiac monitoring disposables, endosurgery and endoscopic technologies. They are used by surgeons and physicians in a variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, and gastroenterology. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's 3,100 employees distribute its products worldwide from several manufacturing locations.

    CONTACT: CONMED Corporation
             Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer, 315-624-3206
             or
             Financial Dynamics
             Investors:
             Julie Huang / Theresa Kelleher, 212-850-5600

    SOURCE: CONMED Corporation