The integration is official.

Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin and Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea announce the integration of the two sites into one, legal entity effective today. The name for the new organization is Mayo Clinic Health System — Albert Lea and Austin.

The integration follows an 18-month process that began with boards of trustees from each site appointing a joint Albert Lea and Austin Partnership Workgroup. After thorough analysis of local health care needs, health care reform projections, stakeholder discussions and legal and financial considerations, the workgroup recommended full integration of the two organizations. Each board unanimously approved the recommendation, which has been similarly endorsed by the appropriate Mayo Clinic approving bodies.

Led by Mark Ciota, M.D., CEO, the overarching goal of the integrated medical center is to increase value for patients and the community by adding services and specialties that neither organization could support on its own. Efficiencies should also naturally emerge, as Albert Lea and Austin departments come together to reduce redundancies. Further integration benefits include:

—Easier, more effective implementation of best practices, protocols and practices identified by Mayo Clinic

—Sharing expensive technology and equipment should contribute to expense management to help slow down the spiraling cost of health care

—A more functional framework for increasing efficiency and preparing for health care reform

Staff members in Albert Lea, Austin and regional locations have been working to consolidate departments and department leadership for the last several months. Work continues as clinical departments come together and best practices are adopted.