Baxter International Chairman and CEO Appointed to FIRST TM Board of Directors

Robert L. Parkinson, Jr. brings extensive management, operations, and education
experience to non-profit arena

MANCHESTER, N.H.--(Business Wire)--
Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Baxter
International Inc., has been elected to the Board of Directors of FIRSTTM(For
Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit
organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people`s interest
and participation in science and technology.

"Today, facing the challenges of our fragile global economy, climate change, and
worldwide public health concerns, the need for innovative thinkers to help solve
society`s increasingly-complex problems has never been more urgent," said Kamen.
"Bob has demonstrated enormous personal commitment to ensuring that future
generations are given every opportunity to be educated and inspired by science.
We are pleased to welcome him to the FIRST Board of Directors as we strive to
spark the next generation`s passion for science and technology."

"Bob's extensive proven leadership, incredible wealth of management and
operations experience, and educational background will add significant depth to
our growing organization," said John Abele, FIRST chairman. "We welcome the
opportunity to advance our mission to inspire young people to be science and
technology leaders with the benefit of his counsel and oversight."

"Baxter has been a proud supporter of FIRST since its founding," said Parkinson.
"Our organizations share a passion for innovation and a commitment to foster a
new generation of problem solvers. I am honored to serve on the Board of
Directors to help realize the FIRST vision of creating `a world where young
people dream of becoming science and technology heroes`." Baxter is currently
the largest sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Midwest Regional
event and supports one FRC team.

Prior to joining Baxter, Parkinson was Dean of Loyola University Chicago's
School of Business Administration and Graduate School of Business from 2002 to
2004. He retired from Abbott Laboratories in 2001 following a 25-year career,
having served in a variety of domestic and international management and
leadership positions, including President and Chief Operating Officer.

Parkinson is active on industry boards and community organizations, serving on
the boards of directors of Chicago-based Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the
Northwestern Memorial Foundation. He earned both a bachelor`s degree and a
master`s degree in business administration from Loyola University Chicago. View
online bio.

About FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition
of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and
technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible,
innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while
motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and
engineering. With the support of many of the world`s most well-known companies,
the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST
Tech Challenge for high-school students, FIRST LEGO® League for children 9-14
years old, and Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6 to 9 year-olds. To learn more
about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

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FIRST
Marian Murphy, 603-666-3906, ext. 409
Communications Manager
mmurphy@usfirst.org
or
Baxter International Inc.
Moyra Knight, 847-948-3068
Moyra_knight@baxter.com

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