UTICA, N.Y., May 27, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq: CNMD) today announced the election of Ms. Jo Ann Golden, CPA, to the Company's Board of Directors.

Eugene R. Corasanti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "I am pleased that the shareholders have elected Ms. Golden to our Board of Directors, expanding our Board to eight directors. Her financial and accounting background as a Certified Public Accountant will bring added depth to our board. Further, as President of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, Ms. Golden's experience at the forefront of important initiatives in accounting, and corporate governance will be invaluable to CONMED."

Ms. Jo Ann Golden was nominated for election to the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, as well as by the full board of Directors. She was elected to the Board by the shareholders at the Company's annual meeting on May 20, 2003. Ms. Golden is a certified public accountant and the managing partner of the New Hartford, New York office of Dermody Burke and Brown, CPA, PLLC, a Certified Public Accounting firm. Ms. Golden is also the current President of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants having served previously as the Secretary and Vice President. Ms. Golden is also a member of the governing Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and was a member of its Global Credential Survey Task Force in 2001. Ms. Golden holds a B.A. from the State University College at New Paltz, and a B.S. in Accounting from the Utica College of Syracuse University.

CONMED is a medical technology company specializing in instruments, implants, and video equipment for arthroscopic sports medicine, and powered surgical instruments, such as drills and saws, for orthopedic, ENT, neuro- surgery, and other surgical specialties. The Company is also a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of RF electrosurgery systems used routinely to cut and cauterize tissue in nearly all types of surgical procedures worldwide, endoscopy products such as trocars, clip appliers, scissors, and surgical staplers. The Company offers integrated operating room design and intensive care unit service managers. The Company also manufactures and sells a full line of ECG electrodes for heart monitoring and other patient care products. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's 2,500 employees distribute its products worldwide from eleven manufacturing locations.

SOURCE CONMED Corporation

Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer of CONMED Corporation,
+1-315-624-3206; or investors, Lauren Levine or Lanie Fladell, or media, Sean
Leous, all of Morgen-Walke Associates, +1-212-850-5600, for CONMED
Corporation
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http://www.conmed.com