Abbott Laboratories said it appointed Robert Ford, who oversaw the integration of St. Jude Medical with the Abbott Park, Ill.-based medical device maker, as its president and COO.

With a career spanning 22 years at the company, Ford was most recently leading Abbott's Medical Devices segment before being elevated to the role.

During his three years at the Medical Devices segment, which accounts for the majority of Abbott's business, Ford oversaw the integration of St. Jude Medical, the company's largest acquisition in its history.

He previously led Abbott's Diabetes Care business and the launch of the company's glucose monitoring system FreeStyle Libre.

Ford, who now assumes responsibility for all of Abbott's operating businesses, will continue to report to Miles White, the chairman of the company's board and its CEO.