DEERFIELD, Ill. — José Almeida, chairman and chief executive officer of health care product manufacturer Baxter International Inc., has been elected to the Walgreens Boots Alliance board of directors.

José Almeida

Almeida, who will serve as an independent director, joins the board effective immediately and becomes the board’s 11th member.

WBA noted that Almeida brings to the board more than 25 years of experience in health care, including medical devices, consumer health products, surgical instruments and biopharmaceuticals. He also has a deep background in public company governance and has handled a wide range of issues, including risk management, talent development, executive compensation and succession planning.

“We are pleased to welcome Joe to the board of directors as we leverage strategic opportunities and accelerate the development of a fully integrated, global platform providing innovative ways to address health and wellness challenges,” WBA executive chairman Jim Skinner said in a statement. “His substantial knowledge of the health care industry and expertise in leading complex, highly regulated, global organizations will support Walgreens Boots Alliance in our purpose to help people across the world lead healthier and happier lives.”

Almeida has served as chairman and CEO of Baxter since January 2016. From May 2015 to October 2015 he served as an operating executive at The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm.

Prior to that, Almeida was president and CEO of Covidien plc from July 2011 through January 2015, when the company was acquired by Medtronic Inc. He also served as the company’s chairman from March 2012 through January 2015 and in several other executive roles at Covidien (formerly Tyco Healthcare) between April 2004 and June 2011.