---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-21-148608"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ABT"
cik: "0000001800"
company_name: "ABBOTT LABORATORIES"
filed_at: "2021-12-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T02:08:42.638598+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Abbott names CEO Robert B. Ford as Chairman; Miles D. White retires

## Summary
- Miles D. White resigns as Executive Chairman and director, effective Dec 10, 2021.
- CEO Robert B. Ford appointed Chairman of the Board, effective same date.
- White retires after 38 years at Abbott; led transformation into health tech leader.
- Board size reduced from 14 to 13; by-laws amended for remote shareholder meetings.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-21-148608
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ABT
- cik: 0000001800
- company_name: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
- filed_at: 2021-12-10T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1800/000110465921148608/0001104659-21-148608-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1800/000110465921148608/tm2134920d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-21-148608
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-21-148608.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-21-148608.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Robert B. Ford was appointed as Chairman of the Board at ABBOTT LABORATORIES.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chairman of the Board
  source text: On December 10, 2021, Abbott’s Board of Directors appointed Robert B. Ford, Abbott’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a director, to the additional position of Chairman of the Board, effective upon Mr. White’s resignation.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1800/000110465921148608/0001104659-21-148608-index.htm
- Executive change
  Miles D. White departed as Executive Chairman at ABBOTT LABORATORIES.
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Executive Chairman
  source text: Miles D. White informed the Abbott Laboratories (“Abbott”) Board of Directors that he will step down as Executive Chairman of the Board and as a director, effective December 10, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1800/000110465921148608/0001104659-21-148608-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.