ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic physician Robert Albright, Jr., D.O., has been named regional vice president, Mayo Clinic Health System – Southeast Minnesota region.

Dr. Albright will be the physician leader for Mayo Clinic’s community practice in southeast Minnesota, a region that includes hospitals and clinics in Albert Lea, Austin, Cannon Falls, Faribault, Lake City, Owatonna, Red Wing and surrounding communities. He succeeds Bobbie Gostout, M.D., president of Mayo Clinic Health System, who will retire at the end of the year. Dr. Gostout has been serving in an interim capacity as regional vice president of Mayo Clinic Health System – Southeast Minnesota region since January. Dr. Albright’s partners in leading regional operations are Chair of Administration – Southeast Minnesota Eric Crockett, and Chief Nursing Officer – Southeast Minnesota Cheristi Cognetta-Rieke, D.N.P.

Dr. Albright received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Nephrology and Critical Care at Mayo Clinic. After becoming a Mayo Clinic consultant in 2001, Dr. Albright worked in both Rochester and Mayo Clinic Health System, serving as medical director of dialysis units and programs in La Crosse, Albert Lea and Rochester. He currently serves as chair of the Division of Nephrology & Hypertension in the Department of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

In his new role, Dr. Albright will lead the regional staff and will be responsible for the clinical and financial performance of Southeast Minnesota operations. Dr. Albright will promote and expand Mayo Clinic Health System’s goal of delivering excellent outcomes, affordable care and convenient access to Mayo Clinic knowledge and expertise to patients when, where and how they need it. This will include balancing digital and virtual options with in-person care while ensuring all services remain patient-focused.

"In Rochester and across Mayo Clinic Health System, Dr. Albright has demonstrated his ability to lead Mayo teams to solutions that improve outcomes for our patients and are sustainable for our communities," says Dr. Gostout. "His commitment to community practice, and experience in the Mayo Clinic Department of Medicine, will be invaluable as this team continues to integrate the world-class resources available in Rochester into our local care options in Southeast Minnesota.”

"I am excited and humbled to be appointed regional vice president of the Southeast Minnesota team," says Dr. Albright. "Over the years, I’ve seen how important it is for Rochester and Mayo Clinic Health System to provide seamless care for the patients— our colleagues, neighbors, friends and families—who depend on us. I look forward to working with the exceptional Southeast Minnesota team to build a sustainable model of health care that leverages technology to meet patient expectations for convenient, accessible care while maintaining the human touch."

Dr. Albright will work closely with Dr. Gostout in the upcoming weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership responsibilities.

Media contact:
Kristy Jacobson 507-263-9706 jacobson.kristy@mayo.edu

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of clinics, hospitals and other facilities that serve the health care needs of people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive highest-quality physical and virtual health care close to home.

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