Empi, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Scott R. Anderson as New Chairman and M. Nazie Eftekhari as a Member of its Board of Directors.

SAINT PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 1997--Empi, Inc., a medical device manufacturer, announced today, the appointment of Scott R. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of North Memorial Medical Center, as chairman of its board of directors replacing Empi's founder, Donald D. Maurer, who announced his retirement at the May 1997 annual meeting of shareholders and who has been named chairman emeritus effective immediately. In addition, Empi, Inc. has appointed M. Nazie Eftekhari, chief executive officer and chairman of the ARAZ Group, to its board of directors as a class one director to serve until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 1999.

"Given the rapid and continual changes in today's health care industry, with an ever-increasing focus on managed care and national account payors, Empi is very pleased to have attracted the breadth and depth of experience that both Scott and Nazie bring to their respective positions," said Joseph E. Laptewicz, Empi's president and chief executive officer.

"Mr. Anderson has been recognized for his leadership in the Minnesota health care marketplace, with specific emphasis on the managed care environment while Ms. Eftekhari specializes in developing diversified managed care services to clients nationally. The combined experience of both Scott and Nazie will significantly benefit Empi as it continues to pursue its aggressive growth strategies," Laptewicz concluded.

Empi, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets non-invasive biomedical devices and accessories for use in the physical therapy, sports medicine, and incontinence treatment markets. The Company's shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market under the symbol EMPI.

CONTACT: Empi, Inc., Saint Paul

Patrick Spangler, [phone]