Allina Health names new President of Owatonna Hospital and Faribault Medical Center

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Dec. 19, 2023) — Allina Health is pleased to announce that Whitney Johnson, RN, MHA, has been selected to serve as president of Owatonna Hospital and Faribault Medical Center. She will begin her new role on Jan. 8, 2024.

Johnson has worked for Allina Health since 2018 and currently serves as the Director of Surgical Services at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. In this role, she oversees Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s operating rooms, surgical specialties, endoscopy center and anesthesia services. Johnson previously served as the Director of Nursing Operations at Phillips Eye Institute. Johnson is looking forward to building strong relationships with the Owatonna and Faribault communities through meaningful engagement and collaboration.

“Whitney has a track record of building strong teams by developing relationships with those she leads. She has deep clinical and operational experience, and I am confident Whitney’s leadership will serve our employees and patients very well in the Faribault and Owatonna communities,” said David Joos, Allina Health Southwest Region President.

“I look forward to embarking on this new role and connecting with the outstanding care teams in Faribault and Owatonna,” said Johnson, president, Faribault Medical Center and Owatonna Hospital. “I strongly believe in Allina Health’s mission to serve our communities by providing exceptional care, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”

Johnson and her husband, who is a nurse with the VA Healthcare System, have two children and two dogs. They enjoy spending time outdoors, especially on the lake.

Johnson fills an open position. The previous president of Faribault Medical Center and Owatonna Hospital, Michael Johnston, started a new role at Allina Health on Nov. 20. He is now the president of Mercy Hospital which includes Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus in Fridley.