Abbott (NYSE: ABT) , a global healthcare company, announced yesterday that it has named Robert B Ford as its new chief operating officer, effective immediately.

Ford was most recently executive vice president of Medical Devices, Abbott's largest business. In addition to his current responsibilities for Medical Devices, he will assume responsibility for all of Abbott's operating businesses. He has held various management positions across several of Abbott's businesses, including Diagnostics, Nutrition and Medical Devices. As head of Abbott's Medical Devices business for the past three years, he oversaw the integration of the St Jude Medical acquisition, the largest acquisition in Abbott's history. He previously led Abbott's Diabetes Care business and the launch of Abbott's glucose monitoring system, FreeStyle Libre.

Ford will continue to report to Miles D White, Abbott's chairman of the board and chief executive officer.