Allina Health Southern Market President accepts position as Mercy Hospital President

New leader of Owatonna Hospital and Faribault Medical Center not yet named

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Nov. 7, 2023) — Allina Health is pleased to announce that Michael Johnston has been named as president of Mercy Hospital which includes Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus in Fridley. As Allina Health Southern Market President, Johnston has led Owatonna Hospital and Faribault Medical Center since 2021.

“It has been a pleasure to serve the communities of Faribault and Owatonna, and I have been honored to work with exceptional care teams at both hospitals,” said Johnston. “I’m excited to get to know the teams at both Mercy Hospital campuses. It has a longstanding record of being one of the best hospitals in the Twin Cities, and I look forward to continuing that tradition of excellence as we care for the communities in the northwest metro.”

Johnston is filling an open position at Mercy Hospital. The former president of Mercy Hospital, Jill Ostrem, now leads Allina Health United Hospital and will lead Allina Health United Hospital – Hastings Regina Campus and Allina Health River Falls Area Hospital.

“Michael has proven himself to be a strong leader dedicated to community engagement, employee culture and service growth,” said David Joos, president, Allina Health Southwest Region. “We have begun the process to fill the position he leaves open, and we look forward to sharing the news with the community when we have hired someone to lead Owatonna Hospital and Faribault Medical Center.”

Prior to Allina Health, Johnston served as president and CEO of the McLaren Thumb Region, overseeing hospitals in Bad Axe and Caro, Michigan.

Johnston will start in his new role Monday, Nov. 20.

About Allina Health

Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.