DEERFIELD, Ill., November 1, 2004 – Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) announced today that Mary Kay Ladone has been promoted to vice president of investor relations.

“We take seriously our responsibility to keep our investors informed and educated about our business in order to ensure they understand the dynamics of our business that could influence their investments over the short and long term,” said John Greisch. “Mary Kay’s promotion reflects her effectiveness in working with the investment community over the past eight years, and in particular, her recent contributions to rebuilding investor confidence in the company.”

Ladone, age 38, has been with the company for 16 years, the last eight of which she has served as director of investor relations. Since joining the company in 1988, she has held a variety of finance roles with increasing responsibility, including financial planning and general accounting, in addition to having worked in business development. She holds a B.A. in finance and business economics from the University of Notre Dame.

Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists health-care professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.