ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The journal Science today recognized Abbott (NYSE: ABT) as a Top 20 Employer.  The global healthcare company ranked No. 14 overall, receiving high marks for social responsibility, employee loyalty, and having a work culture that aligns with the values of its employees.

This marks the 12th time Abbott has been included in Science magazine's annual ranking, which is voted on by scientists who are asked to select the companies they considered best, average, and worst employers.  The complete rankings are available online and in the Oct. 30, 2015, print edition of Science.

"The people who work at Abbott are passionate about advancing science and technology, and we're happy to support them in reaching their professional best," said Robert Miller, Ph.D., co-chair of Abbott's Scientific Governing Board, which oversees the company's 1,700 scientists.  "With our global footprint and diverse business profile, scientists can have multiple careers within the same company at Abbott."

As part of its mission to bring new products and technologies to the world, Abbott this year brought renewed focus to the concept of "open innovation" with business partners, universities, and start-ups.  This increases opportunities for Abbott's scientists to work on new technologies and inventions.

In Abbott's diagnostics business, an example of open innovation includes a recent partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a portable blood test to rapidly diagnose concussions and traumatic brain injury.  In the company's nutrition business, academic partnerships with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Singapore and the University of Granada in Spain are helping Abbott scientists explore the cognitive benefits of nutrition.

ABBOTT WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

Scientists at Abbott are given opportunities to advance science, technology, medicine and nutrition to help people live fuller and more complete lives.  The company recognizes this commitment through a number of internal recognition efforts, including chairman's awards, president's awards, and patent and inventor awards.  The company honors its most distinguished scientists and engineers with induction into the prestigious Volwiler Society, named for the late Ernest H. Volwiler, Ph.D., an internationally recognized scientist and former Abbott president and chairman of the board.

In addition to being honored for workplace leadership by Science, FORTUNE magazine has named Abbott as one of "America's Most Admired Companies" every year since the list's inception in 1983.  Working Mother and DiversityInc magazines have also ranked Abbott as a top employer, and the National Association for Female Executives again named Abbott among the Top 50 Companies for Executive Women in 2015.

About the 2015 Science Survey:

Science conducted a web-based survey aimed at determining the companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries with the best reputations as employers.  Survey respondents were asked to select the companies they considered best, average, and worst employers.  They then rated these companies on 23 different attributes including Image, Financial Prowess, Leadership and Direction, Work Culture/Environment, Location, and Academic and Intellectual Challenge.  The report is based on a total sample of 5,701 people.  The vast majority of survey participants came from North America (58%), Europe (27%), and Asia/Pacific Rim (11%).

About Abbott:

At Abbott, we're committed to helping you live your best possible life through the power of health.  For more than 125 years, we've brought new products and technologies to the world – in nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices and branded generic pharmaceuticals – that create more possibilities for more people at all stages of life.  Today, 73,000 of us are working to help people live not just longer, but better, in the more than 150 countries we serve.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

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SOURCE Abbott