Overview
- Allina will assume labor-and-delivery staffing on Nov. 17, with Faribault obstetrics physicians covering Owatonna births through Nov. 30 to prevent service gaps.
- Inpatient labor and delivery will move to Owatonna on Dec. 1 as Faribault’s unit closes, while outpatient prenatal, postpartum, gynecologic, newborn and pediatric services remain in Faribault and begin in Owatonna in early December.
- Faribault will end evening and weekend emergency surgical coverage on Dec. 1 because of anesthesia staffing limits, with urgent cases transferred to Owatonna or Allina metro hospitals as surgeons remain on call.
- Pediatric admissions at Faribault will end May 7, 2026 due to low volumes, with admissions continuing at Owatonna.
- The Minnesota Department of Health will schedule a public hearing as experts and local leaders warn of longer travel and higher clinical risk, and 2024 volumes of 397 births in Owatonna versus 197 in Faribault helped drive the hub decision; the Minnesota Nurses Association also alleges Allina failed to provide required notice.