Medtronic Receives Dept. of Health and Human Services Award, `Celebrating Persons with Disabilities'.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota company honored for its commitment to hiring and supporting people with disabilities

Citing its commitment to the comprehensive and long-term employment of persons with disabilities, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services today gave Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) its highest award, the Secretary Recognition Award.

Art Collins, Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer, accepted the award on behalf of the company and noted, "People with disabilities represent a significant, untapped talent pool for technology and 'knowledge' industries. We recognize that everyone benefits when we support an increasingly diverse workforce, and the contributions of people with disabilities have helped Medtronic develop leading medical technologies for patients worldwide. We accept this honor with pride, but also with reinvigorated commitment to reaching out to people with disabilities."

The award was presented by Secretary Tommy Thompson in the building named for another prominent Minnesotan and advocate for people with disabilities, the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C. Additional honorees included news anchor Larry King, who was honored for funding life-saving treatments through the Larry King Cardiac Foundation; Rachel Simon, whose memoir of her developmentally disabled sister will be broadcast on television later this season; and the Art and Drama Therapy Institute, the American Network for Community Options and Resources and activist Mr. Don Dreyer of New York state.

Medtronic, which sponsored "Minnesota Career Development for the 21st Century Day" for people with disabilities at its headquarters last week, also has received the Distinguished Community Service Award from ARC Minnesota (Oct. 9, 2004) and the "Employer of the Year" award from the Minnesota State Council on Disability (Sept. 30, 2004).

Joan Willshire, executive director of the State Council on Disability, cited the involvement of Medtronic executives as most influential in making the workplace supportive of people with disabilities. "Executives at Medtronic make an active effort to improve employment circumstances for people with disabilities. Their leadership makes change occur, and makes change occur more quickly, so that hiring people with disabilities becomes a priority and barriers to employment are dismantled," said Willshire.

In January, Medtronic hosted a "Career Exploration Day" for Minnesota students with disabilities attending colleges and transitional education programs. The nearly 170 attendees heard Roy Grizzard Jr., Ed.D., assistant U.S. secretary of labor for disability employment policy, discuss his office's focus on the goal of increasing employment of persons with disabilities. The day included presentations on the medical device industry, opportunities for students to explore related interests, discover potential mentors and focus on abilities they offer.

Medtronic employees also led the establishment of two employee resource groups, ABLED (Awareness Benefiting Leadership and Employees with Disabilities) and Parents of Children With Special Needs, which support employees, raise awareness about experiences of people with disabilities, and consult with Medtronic executives in implementing wellness programs and jobsite accommodations.

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. Its website is www.medtronic.com.

Any statements made about the company's anticipated financial results and regulatory approvals are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2004. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.