CryoLife Appoints New Corporate Communications Executive

ATLANTA, April 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CryoLife Inc. (NYSE: CRY), a human tissue processing and medical device company, today announced the appointment of Joseph T. Schepers as Vice President of Corporate Communications.

Schepers, who reports directly to CryoLife President and Chief Executive Officer Steven G. Anderson, assumes responsibility for all CryoLife external and internal communications, which include investor, media, employee and interactive efforts.

"Joe's record of successful, results-oriented communications will add an important perspective to our management team, and we look forward to his contributions," Anderson said. "His expertise will help ensure that the Company's strategy and progress is effectively communicated to our staff and shareholders and to the financial and medical communities."

Schepers joins CryoLife after serving as Vice President of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at Ribapharm, Inc./ICN Pharmaceuticals. In that position, he managed all communications and investor relations efforts related to corporate initiatives, patent litigation and the successful initial public offering of Ribapharm.

Schepers previously served as Director of Investor Relations at Novartis AG, where he established the company's first North American investor relations program and managed financial communications efforts during the 1996 CIBA/Sandoz merger that created Novartis. In addition, Schepers has directed investor relations and corporate communications at Immunomedics and served in various banking positions for Manufacturers Hanover and Chemical Bank.

Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. is a leader in the processing and distribution of implantable living human tissues for use in cardiovascular and vascular surgeries throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's BioGlue(R) Surgical Adhesive is FDA approved as an adjunct to sutures and staples for use in adult patients in open surgical repair of large vessels and is CE marked in the European Community and approved in Canada for use in soft tissue repair and approved in Australia for use in vascular and pulmonary sealing and repair. The Company also manufactures the SynerGraft(R) Vascular Graft, which is CE marked for distribution within the European Community. For additional information about the company, visit CryoLife's Web site: http://www.cryolife.com

    Media Contacts:

    Joseph T. Schepers
    Vice President, Corporate Communications
    Phone: 770-419-3355

    Rosa Herrera
    Fleishman Hillard
    Phone: 404-739-0153


SOURCE  CryoLife, Inc.
  04/09/2003
    /CONTACT:  Joseph T. Schepers, Vice President, Corporate Communications of
CryoLife,  +1-770-419-3355, or Rosa Herrera of Fleishman Hillard,
+1-404-739-0153, for CryoLife/
    /Web site:  http://www.cryolife.com/
    (CRY)

CO:  CryoLife, Inc.
ST:  Georgia
IN:  HEA MTC BIO
SU:  PER