Abbott COO to retire

Richard A Gonzalez, president, COO and a member of Abbott's board of directors, plans to retire after 30 years with the company.

Gonzalez will stay on with Abbott until 30 September 2007, when the heads of Abbott's four operating businesses, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, nutritionals and diagnostics, will report directly to Miles D White, Abbottís chairman and CEO.

White said of Gonzalez: "Rick is a consummate leader and has had a distinguished career at Abbott, including his work to help conceive and execute Abbott's successful medical products strategy. He is a close friend and colleague with whom I've worked virtually my whole career at Abbott. I thank him for his many great contributions to our company and wish him the very best in his retirement."