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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950117-03-001607.txt : 20030422
<SEC-HEADER>0000950117-03-001607.hdr.sgml : 20030422
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030422172701
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950117-03-001607
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030422
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial statements and exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030422

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BECTON DICKINSON & CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000010795
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				220760120
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04802
		FILM NUMBER:		03658850

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKES
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417-1880
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2018476800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a35084.txt
<DESCRIPTION>BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
<TEXT>


<PAGE>




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  April 22, 2003
                                                  --------------


                          BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                      <C>
           New Jersey                001-4802                   22-0760120
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (State or other juris-         (Commission             (IRS Employer Iden-
   diction of incorporation)       File Number)            tification Number)


   1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey                   07417-1880
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)
</TABLE>


Registrant's telephone number, including area code          (201) 847-6800
                                                            --------------

                                       N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        (Former name or former addresses if changed since last report.)




<PAGE>



Item 5.     Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

            On April 22, 2003, the Registrant issued the press release that
is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.     Financial Statements. Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

            (c)  Exhibits.

            Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated April 22, 2003.



<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                             BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
                                                         (Registrant)



                                             By: /s/ Gary DeFazio
                                                ---------------------------
                                                      Gary DeFazio
                                                   Assistant Secretary


Date: April 22, 2003




<PAGE>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number               Description of Exhibit
- --------------               ----------------------
99.1                         Press release dated April 22, 2003



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>ex99-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
<Page>

Contact:
Patricia A. Spinella/Investor Relations - 201-847-5453
Charles A. Borgognoni/Corporate Communications - 201-847-6651


               EDWARD F. DeGRAAN ELECTED TO BD BOARD OF DIRECTORS


Franklin Lakes, NJ (April 22, 2003) - BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
(NYSE:BDX) has elected Edward F. DeGraan to its Board of Directors, effective
May 20, 2003.

Mr. DeGraan, 59, is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Gillette
Company, a position to which he was named in July 2000. Since joining Gillette
in 1968, Mr. DeGraan has served in roles of increasing responsibility, including
positions as North Atlantic Group Senior Vice President - Manufacturing and
Technical Operations; Executive Vice President - Duracell North Atlantic Group;
Executive Vice President - Global Business Management/Gillette Grooming Products
and Duracell; and acting Chief Executive Officer.

"BD is fortunate to welcome an executive with Ed DeGraan's capabilities and
experience to our Board," said Edward J. Ludwig, BD's Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer. "He brings many years of broad business experience at a
leading manufacturing company. Ed's knowledge of global product development and
management will be invaluable to BD."

Mr. DeGraan is a graduate of Suffolk University. He currently serves on
Gillette's Board of Directors; previously, he sat on the board of Network Plus
Corporation and was a director of the Boston Private Industry Council. Among his
civic and professional affiliations, Mr. DeGraan serves as a trustee of the
National Urban League.

BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life
science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD
manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory
equipment and diagnostic products. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002,
BD reported total revenues of $4.03 billion.


                                       ###


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