Haemonetics Corporation (Haemonetics), an in vitro diagnostics company, announced that Richard Meelia has retired from its board of directors effective April 2, 2009. Meelia is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Covidien Ltd., a healthcare products company. He is retiring from Haemonetics' board in order to spend more professional time on Covidien Ltd 's operations.

Brad Nutter, chairman of Haemonetics’ board of directors, said, “We appreciate Rich’s leadership and guidance during his four-year tenure with Haemonetics. His breadth of experience in healthcare has been a strong complement to the Board, particularly as we’ve made key strategic decisions and transformed the Company from a niche medical device company to the global leader in blood management solutions for our customers.”

Meelia said, “During the past four years, Haemonetics made remarkable progress in transitioning into a higher growth profile company and is well positioned to deliver on its strategic and operational goals. I am proud of my association with the Company, its employees and my colleagues on the Board. There is an exciting future in store for this business.”