Robert Ford

Abbott announced that Robert Ford has been named president and chief operating officer. Ford, a 22-year Abbott veteran, was most recently executive vice president of Medical Devices, Abbott's largest business.

In addition to his current responsibilities for Medical Devices, Ford will assume responsibility for all of Abbott's operating businesses. He will continue to report to the firm's Chairman and CEO Miles White.

Ford has held various management positions across several of Abbott's businesses, including Diagnostics, Nutrition, and Medical Devices. As head of the firm's Medical Devices business for the past three years, he oversaw the integration of the St. Jude Medical acquisition. He previously led Abbott's Diabetes Care business and the launch of its glucose monitoring system, FreeStyle Libre.