BREAKING NEWS: Allina Health to take over baby deliveries

There is a way forward for expectant parents in the area.

Allina Health officials said today that they are taking “accelerated steps to maintain access to labor and delivery services in Owatonna.”

Beginning Nov. 17, Allina Health providers and regional partners will provide additional labor and delivery call coverage – which will allow the Owatonna Hospital Birth Center to remain open and fully operational without service interruption.

The move came after Mayo Clinic Health System’s decision to end on-call labor and delivery coverage at Owatonna Hospital, effective Nov. 17.

The collaborative effort between Allina Health and its partners ensures expectant mothers who planned to deliver their babies in Owatonna may still do so.

It marks the first of many steps to build a sustainable and comprehensive women’s health and obstetric program in the region. Allina Health is navigating the transition in an environment that has been marked by workforce shortages, declining birthrates and financial constraints – all of which Mayo claimed factored into its decision to move delivery services out of Owatonna.

In addition to providing immediate labor and delivery coverage, Allina Health is also accelerating plans to open a dedicated Women’s Health clinic in Owatonna. The goal is to open in early December.

“Allina Health is committed to supporting the health and well-being of Owatonna and the surrounding communit(ies),” said Whitney Johnson, president of Owatonna Hospital.

“Our teams are stepping up to fill critical gaps in labor and delivery services and ensure compassionate, timely care continues without disruption,” she said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful to our providers, nurses and care team members who have gone above and beyond to ensure patients receive the care they need.”

The healthcare provider will continue to share updates as plans progress.