An Exciting Update About the Future of Allina Health

Today [3/17/26], we’re sharing an exciting update about the future of Allina Health. Our Board of Directors has unanimously approved a Letter of Intent (LOI) join Sutter Health, a leading nonprofit health system serving Northern and Central California.  
 
This step would bring together two strong organizations to create a nationally leading, locally committed nonprofit health system focused on better serving our patients, communities and care team members. With a commitment of more than $2 billion in investment from Sutter Health, we have an incredible opportunity to expand access to care for our patients and communities, grow our care team through recruitment and workforce development and accelerate innovative care model solutions. 
 
Allina Health would continue to serve our Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities as the Upper Midwest Division of Sutter Health. We would maintain our name, brand and headquarters in Minneapolis, and Lisa Shannon would continue to serve as Allina Health President and CEO, while Warner Thomas would lead the combined organization as President and CEO of Sutter Health.  
 
What You Need to Know 
Our mission remains the same. Our top priority continues to be providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and patients can still rely on the same doctors and care teams at the same care sites they visit today. 
 
This opportunity offers a bold and creative solution to bring investment, expanded healthcare access and innovation to our communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin, amid a complex healthcare environment. Sutter Health shares our deep commitment to our nonprofit mission, and our responsibility to serve and support our communities. 
 
Why We’re Choosing this Path 
In Minnesota and across the country, healthcare systems are facing persistent challenges: including barriers to access and affordability for many and ongoing financial pressure from reimbursement cuts, workforce shortages and rising costs to deliver care. Meeting this moment calls for bold thinking and new ways to build on our considerable strengths to accelerate our vision to be our communities’ most trusted health ally.   
 
Allina Health brings deep clinical expertise, strong community roots and a proven commitment to innovation — this partnership strengthens our position to meaningfully influence and help shape a leading national nonprofit health system for the better. By choosing to join together with Sutter Health, we have an incredible opportunity to accelerate ambulatory and innovative care offerings and advance our commitment to better serve our patients and communities. Together, Allina Health and Sutter Health would redefine what’s possible — improving access and affordability while transforming how care is delivered. 
 
Our Vision for the Future 
Sutter Health is a trusted healthcare leader in their region that understands the value of keeping care local and accessible. We are united by closely aligned missions, values and cultures and a shared commitment to strengthening the communities we serve.  
Together, through our combined expertise and enabled by a commitment to invest more than $2 billion in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, we will: 

• Improve patient access and affordability by establishing new ambulatory care locations and expanding specialty institutes to deliver excellent care to more patients in more settings.  

• Help caregivers spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork through AI and digital solutions that reduce administrative burdens. 

• Drive high-quality and safe care, including a focus on prevention, to improve the health of the communities we serve.   

• Make it easier for patients to get appointments through more convenient scheduling and innovative consumer digital tools.  

• Accelerate physician and clinician recruitment to meet growing patient needs across the continuum of care. 

• Advance discovery through research, clinical trials and more to directly impact patient care. 

• Be one of the best places to work in healthcare in the nation by growing and investing in the strong teams we have today. 

 
What’s Next 
Allina Health and Sutter Health will complete due diligence and finalize the terms and conditions of the proposed transaction prior to entering into a definitive agreement. We will continue to operate independently as separate organizations until the proposed transaction is closed, which we anticipate occurring by the end of 2026 pending state and federal regulatory approval. We are committed to keeping our partners and community updated as this process continues. We invite you to visit allinahealth.org for more information and updates.  
 
We are confident that joining Sutter Health would allow us to enhance and expand high-quality, affordable nonprofit healthcare for Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Thank you for your continued support and partnership with Allina Health.

Regards,

Tasha Rose Zerna (she/her)
Senior Public Affairs Consultant • Allina Health