MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2007--Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today announced that David Etzwiler has been named vice president of community affairs and executive director of the Medtronic Foundation. Etzwiler replaces Penny Hunt, who led worldwide philanthropy efforts at Medtronic for 14 years. Etzwiler previously served as senior director of the Medtronic Foundation and government affairs.

During his nine-year tenure with Medtronic, Etzwiler played an instrumental role in the development and expansion of the Foundation's Patient Link program, representing 72 patient associations in North America and Europe, and HeartRescue, a sudden cardiac arrest educational outreach program. He also established Medtronic's global disaster relief program, and worked closely with state and local officials in developing Medtronic's world headquarters located in Fridley, Minn., and the company's Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management headquarters in Mounds View, Minn.

Under Hunt's leadership, the Medtronic Foundation grew from $2.4 million in grants in 1992 to $24 million in 2006, with grantmaking targeted to education, health and community arts and civic non-profit organizations. In that time, the Foundation also broadened its giving, which had primarily been focused in the Twin Cities, to an international arena now serving more than 28 countries. International expansion will remain a key initiative for Etzwiler.

Prior to joining Medtronic, Etzwiler served as director of The Day One Project, a partnership of the Allina Foundation, United Way of Minneapolis and domestic violence shelters in Minnesota. He currently serves on a number of non-profit boards including the National Urban Fellows, the Minnesota Private Colleges Council, and the Minnesota Council of Foundations. Etzwiler holds a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Northwestern University, a master's degree in public policy from The Claremont Graduate School, and a juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world. The Medtronic Foundation is committed to improving the health of people and communities. Its grant making is focused in three areas: health, education and community.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 28, 2006. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

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