News & Events

Mr. Mecklenburg, 58, is president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, the parent corporation of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL. He joined the organization as president and CEO of the hospital in 1985. Under Mecklenburg's leadership, Northwestern Memorial continues to grow in national stature for both clinical and management excellence among contemporary academic medical centers.

"I am delighted that Gary Mecklenburg, an extraordinary leader in the healthcare arena, will be bringing his expertise to BD," said Edward J. Ludwig, BD's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As BD focuses on global health issues, Mr. Mecklenburg's hands-on experience running a major teaching hospital will provide additional insight and important perspectives to our Board."

Prior to joining Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one of the nation's leading teaching hospitals, Mr. Mecklenburg served as president and chief executive officer of St. Joseph's Hospital and Franciscan Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and served as administrator at Stanford University Hospital and Clinics. He began his career at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals in 1970. Mr. Mecklenburg is a recognized leader in the healthcare field, having served as Chairman of the Board of the American Hospital Association in 2001. He currently serves as Chairman of the National Alliance for Health Information Technology and the Healthcare Research and Development Institute, and as Chairman-elect of the Health Forum. Mr. Mecklenburg received a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

The board also designated Henry P. Becton, Jr. as Lead Director, effective at the annual shareholder meeting. Mr. Becton will succeed Frank A. Olson, who will be retiring after 20 years of service pursuant to the board's retirement policy, effective at the annual meeting. Mr. Olson has been Lead Director since the position was created in 2002. Mr. Becton has been a member of the board since 1987. The Lead Director presides over meetings of non-management directors, serves as a liaison between the non-management directors and the Chairman, and as a contact person to facilitate communications by BD's employees and shareholders with the non-management members of the board.

BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, BD reported total revenues of $4.935 billion.