Robert L. Parkinson, Jr. is chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter International Inc

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Prior to joining Baxter in April 2004, Mr. Parkinson was Dean of Loyola University Chicago’s School of Business Administration and Graduate School of Business. Previously, Mr. Parkinson had a distinguished 25-year career at Abbott Laboratories, serving in a variety of domestic and international management and leadership positions.

Mr. Parkinson joined Abbott in 1976 and held a number of marketing and management positions there before being named vice president of European operations in 1990, president of the chemical and agricultural division in 1993 and president of the international division responsible for pharmaceutical, hospital and nutritional products in 1995. In 1998 he became a member of its board of directors before being named president and chief operating officer of the company in 1999. He retired from Abbott in 2001.

Mr. Parkinson began his career in 1976 with American Hospital Supply Corporation.

Mr. Parkinson is active on industry boards and community organizations, serving on the board of directors for Chicago-based Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Northwestern Memorial Foundation. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from Loyola University - Chicago. 

Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists health-care professionals and their patients with treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma.  The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.