AmeriPath Announces The Opening of its Institute of Gastrointestinal Pathology and Digestive Disease.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2002

AmeriPath, Inc. (Nasdaq:PATH), a leading national provider of cancer diagnostics, genomic and related information services, today announced the grand opening of its new Institute of Gastrointestinal Pathology and Digestive Disease.

Robert E. Petras, M.D., who had been appointed AmeriPath's National Director of Gastrointestinal Pathology Services in January 2002, will head AmeriPath's Institute of Gastrointestinal Pathology and Digestive Disease. Dr. Petras is recognized as one of the foremost gastrointestinal pathologists in the United States. His impressive credentials include longtime service with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in a series of critical leadership roles, the co-authoring of more than 200 scientific publications focusing on the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal disease, and frequent appearances as faculty at venues such as the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the American Gastroenterology Association and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology annual meetings. Dr. Petras has also lectured extensively at major universities and at state and regional pathology and gastroenterology society meetings on the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal disease. Richard H. Lash, M.D., has also been appointed the AmeriPath Institute of Gastrointestinal Pathology and Digestive Disease Co-Director. In this capacity, he will assist Dr. Petras in the further development and operation of the Institute.

The AmeriPath Institute of Gastrointestinal Pathology and Digestive Disease, located in Cleveland, Ohio at the site of AmeriPath's existing laboratory facility, will occupy more than 6,000 square feet of newly created space dedicated to gastrointestinal disease diagnosis, management, research and education. The Institute will focus on providing leadership and expertise to AmeriPath's referring physicians, residents and its own network of physicians who subspecialize in gastrointestinal pathology. The Institute will render educational services through a variety of media, such as workshops and lectures at meetings and seminars throughout the nation. The Institute will also provide routine histological services, consultations on difficult cases and esoteric tests to help assist physicians in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal disease.

AmeriPath's president, Brian Carr, stated, "Dr. Petras' experience and expertise in gastrointestinal disease management, in concert with AmeriPath's strategic vision, will provide unparalleled excellence in gastrointestinal pathology to the medical community and the patients we serve. Furthermore, the formation of the Institute will enable AmeriPath to set new standards in terms of medical expertise and the rendering of education services."

AmeriPath is a leading national provider of cancer diagnostics, genomics, and related information services. The Company's extensive diagnostics infrastructure includes the Center for Advanced Diagnostics (CAD), a division of AmeriPath. CAD provides specialized diagnostic testing and information services including Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), Flow Cytometry, DNA Analysis, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics and HPV Typing. Additionally, AmeriPath provides clinical trial and research development support to firms involved in developing new cancer and genomic diagnostics and therapeutics.

The statements contained in this press release include "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 extent of success of the Company's operating initiatives and growth strategies; ability to manage growth; access to capital on satisfactory terms; general economic conditions; terrorism or an escalation of hostilities or war; competition and changes in competitive factors; 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; professional liability claims; marketing and promotional efforts; the availability of pathology practices in appropriate locations that the Company is able to acquire on suitable terms or develop; and the successful completion and integration of acquisitions (and achievement of planned or expected synergies). 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 reports filed with the SEC.

Editor's Note: This release is also available at http://www.ameripath.com