The Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) Health Care Board of Directors, in collaboration with Sanford Health, has named Dr. Al Ross as their new... Dr. Al Ross Named CEO of Ortonville Area Health Services

The Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) Health Care Board of Directors, in collaboration with Sanford Health, has named Dr. Al Ross as their new chief executive officer (CEO). Dr. Ross will begin transitioning into the role on September 1. As a longtime medical provider and the current chief medical officer at OAHS, Dr. Ross has diverse rural healthcare experience and will bring his strong understanding of OAHS to the CEO position. 

Dr. Ross was selected after an extensive search. Former CEO, Dave Rogers, announced in May, that he would be transitioning into a new role with Sanford Health in mid-June. Rogers had served at OAHS for over six years. The search announcement generated more than 70 applicants. Five candidates were selected for a virtual interview, and three finalists were interviewed onsite on July 9.

“We had a tremendous applicant pool for the CEO position, which reflects the strong reputation of OAHS in our region,” said OAHS Health Care Board of Directors President, Michelle Knutson. “We look forward to working collaboratively with Dr. Ross to ensure OAHS thrives in the future.” 

Dr. Ross reflected on his new position, “I feel fortunate to be able to continue to serve OAHS in this new capacity. OAHS is a strong organization, and I look forward to working alongside the dedicated employees and providers to continue to be the premier healthcare organization in the region and to best serve our patients and residents.” 

Ross, originally from Ortonville, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He earned his M.D. in 1997 and completed his family practice residency with HealthSystems Minnesota/University of Minnesota Methodist Hospital. 

Dr. Ross has been a medical provider at OAHS for the past 22 years, and he was named chief medical officer in 2019. He has also served on the Sanford Health Network Board of Directors since 2021, the Minnesota Community Measurement Advisory Board from 2010-2018, and the board of directors of the Minnesota Rural Health Core Cooperative from 2006-2009. 

Dr. Ross and his wife, Lisa, raised their three daughters in Ortonville and enjoy traveling to Duluth, Minnesota to visit them. 

Liz Sorenson, director of the clinic, and Shane Ayres, chief financial officer, will continue to serve as the interim co-CEOs until Dr. Ross assumes his new position in September.

Ortonville Area Health Services is a regional healthcare leader providing personalized, high-quality, and compassionate care through caring professionals in a healing environment. 

OAHS services include: 

 Northside Medical Clinic provides family medicine and specialized care in Family Medicine/Obstetrics, Emergency Medicine, and Psychiatry – with satellite clinics and outreach services in Wheaton, Canby, and Clinton, MN, and the OAHS Trojan Clinic within Ortonville Public Schools. 
 The Ortonville Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility that provides 25- inpatient beds and obstetrical care, surgery, and outpatient services.
  The comprehensive Fairway View Senior Communities provides catered living and assisted living apartments with numerous on-site amenities and Fairway View Neighborhoods, a resident focused facility that provides long-term care nursing services and support.

Photo by: Caiti Barr Photography

Staff

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