Like-minded organizations continue progress toward creating nationally leading, locally committed nonprofit health system

NORTHERN CALIF. and MINNEAPOLIS — Allina Health and Sutter Health announced today that they have approved a definitive agreement, taking the next step toward their shared goal of creating an integrated nonprofit health system. The organizations will expand local access to high-quality, affordable care, while leading nationally in digital and technological advancements that transform care and meaningfully improve the experiences of patients and caregivers.

“We look forward to continuing to learn from one another and working together to shape a future where healthcare is more connected and easier to navigate for every patient,” said Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health. “Healthcare is becoming more complex and demanding, both for patients trying to access care and for the people delivering it. Together, we will lead the way to accelerate solutions, recruit more physicians and expand locations to improve access and redesign how care is delivered for our patients and communities.”

“This important milestone brings us one step closer to our goal of partnering to enhance care, support our teams and expand clinical capabilities and research as a strong, nonprofit health system,” said Lisa Shannon, president and CEO of Allina Health. “With our combined expertise, complementary strengths and aligned missions and visions, I am confident we will be well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our patients and communities now and well into the future. At a time when healthcare is facing great challenges, I have been heartened by the response to our bold and proactive plan to strengthen the future of healthcare.”

The definitive agreement formalizes the plans outlined in the Letter of Intent announced in March, including:

• Together, through combined innovative capabilities and enabled by an investment of more than $2 billion in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, the organizations 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.

• Once regulatory review is complete and the transaction is closed, Allina Health will become the Upper Midwest Division of Sutter Health, maintaining the Allina Health name, brand and regional headquarters in Minneapolis. Sutter Health will maintain its headquarters in California.

• Warner Thomas will continue to lead the combined system as president and CEO  of Sutter Health, with Lisa Shannon remaining president and CEO of Allina Health.

Next, the organizations will collaborate with the appropriate state and federal agencies to proceed through the regulatory review process. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, pending regulatory review. Allina Health and Sutter Health will continue to provide updates as the process moves forward.

Learn more at SutterHealth.org/AllinaHealth.

About Sutter Health

Sutter Health is a not-for-profit healthcare system dedicated to providing comprehensive care throughout California. Guided by a commitment to advancing innovative patient care, healthy outcomes and community partnerships, Sutter is pursuing a bold plan to reach more people and make excellent healthcare more connected, accessible and personalized.

Today, its dedicated team of more than 64,000 employees and clinicians and 15,000+ affiliated physicians care for more than 3.6 million patients and are united by a shared focus on expanding care to serve more patients. Sutter delivers exceptional and affordable care through its hospitals, medical groups, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care clinics, telehealth, home health and hospice services. Recognized nationally for its workplace culture, Sutter Health has been named to Modern Healthcare’s 2026 Best Places to Work in Healthcare list and Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2026. Learn more about how Sutter Health is transforming care at sutterhealth.org and vitals.sutterhealth.org.

About Allina Health

Allina Health is a nonprofit health care system serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin, dedicated to preventing and treating illness and improving the health of individuals, families and communities. Through a network of more than 90 clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 13 retail pharmacies, specialty care centers, home care and emergency medical transportation, Allina Health provides high-quality care from birth through end-of-life.

Allina Health Institutes are at the forefront of the mission and offer nationally recognized experts and advanced care in key specialties:

• Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute – A leader in cardiovascular innovation, research and care delivery through clinical trials, publications and training 4,000+ providers annually, it is consistently rated ‘High Performing’ by U.S. News & World Report.

• Allina Health Cancer Institute – Providing comprehensive, personalized and innovative oncology care across the full cancer journey, delivered at 18 locations—including its three largest hospitals, which U.S. News & World Report consistently rates “High Performing” in multiple oncology specialties.

• Allina Health Brain and Spine Institute – Delivering advanced neurologic and spine care through Givens Brain Tumor Program, three nationally accredited stroke centers and an elite Adult Neurology Residency Program, while earning recognition from Becker’s, Newsweek & U.S. News & World Report.

Together, these institutes exemplify Allina Health’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Angie Sheets, Senior Director of External Communications, Sutter Health, 916-494-9547 | angeline.sheets@sutterhealth.org