Press Release Details

Surya N. Mohapatra, Ph.D. Elected to Quest Diagnostics Board of Directors

10/30/2002

TETERBORO, N.J., Oct 30, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Surya N. Mohapatra, Ph.D., to serve as a Director. The appointment of Dr. Mohapatra, 53, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Quest Diagnostics, expands the Board to 11 members, the majority of whom are independent Directors.

Dr. Mohapatra is responsible for the day-to-day management of Quest Diagnostics and has played an important role in the growth of the company. He joined Quest Diagnostics in February 1999 as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in June 1999. Prior to joining Quest Diagnostics, he served as Senior Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee of Picker International, a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of advanced medical imaging technologies, such as CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine and X-Ray. Dr. Mohapatra holds a Ph.D. in medical physics from the University of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is also the author of several publications and patents.

"As President and Chief Operating Officer, Surya Mohapatra plays an instrumental role in driving profitable growth and quality improvement at Quest Diagnostics, and we are extremely pleased that he will serve on the Board of Directors," said Kenneth W. Freeman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Surya's leadership, experience and creativity will provide a valued additional management perspective to our strong and committed Board."

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable physicians, hospitals, managed care organizations and other healthcare professionals to make decisions to improve health. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic laboratory testing services through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers. Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based medical testing, and empowers healthcare organizations and clinicians with state-of-the-art connectivity solutions that improve practice management. Additional company information can be found on the Internet at: http://www.questdiagnostics.com.

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, unanticipated expenditures, changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, conditions of the economy and other factors described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 2001 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

CONTACT: Media - Gary Samuels, +1-201-393-5700, or Investors - Laure
Park, +1-201-393-5030, both of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

URL: http://www.questdiagnostics.com

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