Exhibit 99.1

      David Martin Elected Lead Director for Varian Medical Systems' Board;
           Samuel Hellman Named to Varian Board's Executive Committee

      PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Varian Medical
Systems, Inc. (NYSE: VAR) Board of Directors today announced that David W.
Martin, Jr., M.D., has been elected Lead Director, replacing the late Terry R.
Lautenbach who passed away suddenly in June. The Board has also named Samuel
Hellman, M.D., to serve on its Executive Committee together with Dr. Martin and
Board Chairman Richard M. Levy, Ph.D.

      Dr. Martin has served on the company's board since 1994, first with Varian
Associates and then with Varian Medical Systems following the spin-off of the
company's instruments and semiconductor equipment manufacturing businesses in
1999. In addition to serving Varian Medical Systems as Lead Director, Dr. Martin
is serving on the Board's Executive, Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance,
Compensation and Management Development, Stock Grant, and Strategy and
Technology committees.

      Dr. Hellman has served on the company's board since 1992. In addition to
the Executive Committee, Dr. Hellman serves on the Nominating and Corporate
Governance, Compensation and Management Development, and Strategy and Technology
committees.

      Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's
leading manufacturer of integrated cancer therapy systems, which are treating
thousands of patients per day. The company is also a premier supplier of X-ray
tubes and flat-panel digital subsystems for imaging in medical, scientific, and
industrial applications. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 3,240
people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America and Europe and in
its 56 sales and support offices around the world. In its most recent fiscal
year ended September 26, 2003, Varian Medical Systems reported sales of over $1
billion. Additional information is available on the company's web site at
www.varian.com.

      For information contact:
      Spencer Sias, 650-424-5782
      spencer.sias@varian.com

                      SOURCE Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
                                 -0- 08/24/2004
    /CONTACT:  Spencer Sias of Varian Medical Systems, Inc., +1-650-424-5782,
or spencer.sias@varian.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.varian.com /
    (VAR)

CO:  Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
ST:  California
IN:  BIO HEA MTC
SU:  PER