Abbott Laboratories today<br /> announced that Thomas C. Freyman has been elected senior vice president,<br /> finance and chief financial officer by the board of directors of Abbott<br /> Laboratories effective April 1, 2001.  Freyman has been vice president,<br /> hospital products controller at Abbott.<br />     Freyman, 46, succeeds Gary P. Coughlan, who will retire on March 31, 2001.<br /> Coughlan has served as senior vice president, finance and chief financial<br /> officer since joining the company in May 1990.<br />     "Tom is a highly regarded 22-year Abbott veteran with broad experience in<br /> international finance, treasury and the controller function," Miles D. White,<br /> chairman and chief executive officer, said.  "We are extremely pleased to have<br /> strong internal talent to ensure a smooth transition for this critical<br /> position."<br />     Freyman holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of<br /> Illinois and a master's degree in management from Northwestern University's<br /> Kellogg Graduate School of Management.<br />     Freyman is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public<br /> Accountants and of the board of directors of Victory/St. Therese Enterprises,<br /> Inc., United Way of Lake County, and the University of Illinois Business<br /> Advisory Council.<br />    In commenting on Coughlan's retirement, White said, "Gary has made<br /> significant contributions to the growth and success of Abbott.  He has been<br /> instrumental in supporting Abbott's long tradition of financial stability and<br /> our more aggressive approach to external collaborations.  He has led our<br /> e-commerce initiatives and developed a depth of leadership talent in finance<br /> and the other organizations he oversees.  We thank him for his strong<br /> leadership and wish him the best in his retirement."<br />     Abbott Laboratories is a global, diversified health care company devoted<br /> to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical,<br /> diagnostic, nutritional and hospital products.  The company employs<br /> 60,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.  In 2000,<br /> the company's sales and net earnings were $13.7 billion and $2.8 billion,<br /> respectively, with diluted earnings per share of $1.78.