Guest Column by Mark Ciota and Kristin Johnson

 

We continue to hear there is confusion about the health care services that are and will be available in Albert Lea. Of most concern is the misunderstanding that our emergency department is closing or has closed. The Albert Lea emergency department is and will remain open and available to all who need it. Our community continues to have access to the same high-quality, 24/7 emergency care that has always been available in Albert Lea, delivered by dedicated, experienced staff. We will continue to communicate this fact and hope you will reach out to us if clarification is needed.

Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea also provides and will continue to provide primary care, which includes family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics; many medical specialties, such as cardiology and neurology; outpatient surgeries and procedures; women’s health services, including prenatal and postnatal care; laboratory and radiology services; pharmacy; cancer care; dialysis; hyperbaric wound care; rehabilitation therapy services; eye services, hospice and retail services, including Mayo Clinic Store and optical shop. To ensure relevance and to meet the needs of changing populations, we continue to assess how to effectively and efficiently provide needed health care services to all communities we serve.

To learn more, please go to our refreshed and updated website, mayoclinichealthsystem.org/albert-lea-austin-facts. This is a reliable source for news and information about Mayo Clinic health care for you and your family.

Thank you for continuing to entrust us with your care.

Mark Ciota, M.D., is CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin.

Kristin Johnson is administrator of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin.