Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin are merging.

During a celebration for the 20th anniversary of Mayo Clinic Health System on Friday, CEO Dr. Rob Nesse said he thinks Albert Lea and Austin have the chance to be pioneers in the medical industry.

Starting in January, the hospitals are planning to be under the same organization; however, any potential name changes are awaiting board approval.

Nesse said while there are many questions that still need to be answered about the merger, he is confident the employees at both locations will be up for the changes.

Dr. Mark Ciota, CEO at both the Albert Lea and Austin sites, said under the merger, primary and secondary care will still be offered at each location. Combined, the system will also be big enough to offer specialties that there may not have been enough patients for separately.

Ciota said the plan will allow the hospitals to take care of patients the best they can and maximize their efficiencies. The hospitals will also continue to support community efforts in both Albert Lea and Austin.

Though plans for the merger have been in discussions for the past year, this is the first time the plans were talked about publicly.

According to a news release, Albert Lea’s medical center has been a part of Mayo Clinic Health System since 1997 when the Albert Lea Clinic and Naeve Health Care Association merged to form Albert Lea Medical Center — part of Mayo Health System.

Renamed Mayo Clinic Health System in 2011, the medical center has 80 providers and more than 1,000 staff. It serves patients in Albert Lea, and also has regional sites in Alden, Kiester, New Richland, Wells and Lake Mills.