Abbott Laboratories named Elaine R. Leavenworth and Susan M. Widner to new corporate vice president positions and promoted P. Loreen Mershimer, Mary T. Szela, James L. Tyree to corporate vice president.

Elaine R. Leavenworth has been named corporate vice president, Washington government affairs reporting to Mark E. Barmak, vice president, government affairs. She has more than nine years of Abbott service, and was previously corporate vice president, Abbott HealthSystems. Leavenworth has a bachelor's degree in health policy from Duke University and a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University.

P. Loreen Mershimer has been promoted to corporate vice president, hospital business sector responsible for infusion therapy, renal care and drug delivery systems. She will report to Christopher B. Begley, senior vice president, Hospital Products Division. Previously, she was Abbott's divisional vice president, hospital business systems. Mershimer has been with Abbott for more than 22 years and has a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University and a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University.

Mary T. Szela, has been promoted to corporate vice president, hospital business sector responsible for anesthesia, acute care cardiovascular, and pain management, also reporting to Christopher B. Begley. Mary has been with Abbott for more than thirteen years, and was previously divisional vice president, hospital business systems. She has a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Illinois.

James L. Tyree has been promoted to corporate vice president, licensing/new business development reporting to Jeffrey M. Leiden, executive vice president, pharmaceuticals and chief scientific officer. Previously, he was divisional vice president, licensing/new business development, and has been with Abbott for more than four years. Tyree has a bachelor's degree in psychology and forensic studies from Indiana University and a master's degree in business administration from Indiana University.

Susan M. Widner has been named corporate vice president, Abbott HealthSystems, reporting to Rick Gonzalez, executive vice president, medical products. Previously she was corporate vice president, diagnostic operations, U.S. and Canada. Widner has more than 18 years of service, and has a bachelor's degree in medical technology from the University of Iowa.

Abbott Laboratories is a global, diversified health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals, nutritionals, and medical products, including devices and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 70,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. In 2000, the company's sales and net earnings were $13.7 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively, with diluted earnings per share of $1.78.