Healthcare technology firm Covidien's board of directors has added chairman to President and CEO José Almeida's responsibilities, effective March 13.
Almeida will succeed Richard Meelia, who has served as chairman since October 2008. Meelia last year agreed to continue as nonexecutive chairman for a transition period of up to one year following his July 2011 retirement as Covidien's president and CEO.
Almeida became president and CEO last July after serving as president of Covidien's Medical Devices business segment.