Walgreens Boots Alliance adds to board

Walgreens Boots Alliance announced on Wednesday the appointment of Tom Polen to the company’s board of directors.

Polen brings more than 25 years of experience advancing healthcare solutions and technologies to the WBA board, as the company continues to accelerate its healthcare transformation and growth strategy, according to a press release from the Deerfield, Illinois-based company.

He will also serve on the board’s finance and technology committee.

Polen is the chairman, CEO and president of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), one of the world’s largest medical technology companies. Prior to this, Polen held several leadership positions within the company, including president and chief operating officer, president of the BD Medical segment and president of several worldwide business units within BD’s Life Sciences segment.

Polen also serves on the boards of directors of AdvaMed, and Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation, a subsidiary of Hackensack Meridian Medical Center. He is a member of the American Heart Association CEO Roundtable and serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness and its Manufacturing Competitiveness Subcommittee.

“I am pleased to welcome Tom to the WBA board of directors. I know his industry insights and leadership will be a great asset as we advance local healthcare and wellbeing to deliver sustainable value to our customers, communities, partners, and shareholders,” said Stefano Pessina, executive chairman, Walgreens Boots Alliance.

​WBA has a presence in nine countries through its portfolio of consumer brands Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, the No7 Beauty Company, Benavides in Mexico and Ahumada in Chile. Additionally, WBA has a portfolio of healthcare-focused investments located in several countries, including China and the U.S.

“I’ve centered my career around working at and with companies that are making a positive impact on the lives of patients around the world and creating value for all stakeholders,” said Polen.

“Building on this passion, I look forward to joining the WBA Board of Directors and contributing to a company that has the potential to play a growing role in advancing and transforming the healthcare ecosystem and its shift into new care settings.”