AmeriPath, Inc. Announces Plans to Refinance Its Existing Credit Facilities.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- AmeriPath, Inc., ("AmeriPath" or the "Company"), a leading provider of cancer diagnostics, genomics and related services, today announced it is proceeding with its plan to refinance its senior secured credit facilities in connection with the merger agreement with Specialty Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:SP) ("Specialty"), a leading hospital-focused clinical reference laboratory, which was announced by AmeriPath on September 30, 2005. The Company previously received a commitment letter pursuant to which Wachovia Bank, National Association, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and UBS Loan Finance LLC have committed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the commitment letter, up to $298.5 million in senior secured credit facilities, consisting of a $203.5 million term loan and a $95.0 million revolving credit facility. It is contemplated that up to $203.5 million of the term loan and up to $52.0 million of the revolving credit facility may be used to fund a portion of the merger consideration, to pay certain transaction costs, to refinance existing indebtedness of AmeriPath, to pay related expenses and to provide financing for ongoing working capital and other general corporate purposes.

About AmeriPath, Inc.

AmeriPath is a leading national provider of physician-based anatomic pathology, dermatopathology and molecular diagnostic services to physicians, hospitals, national clinical laboratories and surgery centers. A team of subspecialized pathologists and Ph.D. scientists provide medical expertise, diagnostic quality, and personal consultation services. AmeriPath's elite team of more than 400 highly trained, board-certified pathologists provide medical diagnostics services in outpatient laboratories owned, operated and managed by AmeriPath, as well as in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. AmeriPath's Web address is http://www.ameripath.com.

The statements contained in this press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements -- which are sometimes identified by words such as "may," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar expressions and which include any financial or operating estimates, forecasts or projections -- are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company's control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from results anticipated by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: the successful completion and integration of the merger (and achievement of planned or expected synergies); ability to manage growth, access to capital on satisfactory terms, general economic conditions; federal and state healthcare regulation (and compliance); reimbursement rates under government and third party healthcare programs and the payments received under such programs; changes in coding: changes in technology; dependence upon pathologists and customer contracts; the ability to attract, motivate and retain pathologists; labor, technology and insurance costs; and marketing and promotional efforts. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof based on management's current beliefs and expectations, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such statements. Further information regarding risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect the Company's financial or operating results or that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or anticipated, are included in the Company's annual, quarterly, and other reports and filings with the SEC.