Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) is pleased to announce Chris Johnson as their new Chief Financial Officer effective August 12. 

Johnson grew up in a rural area of Northeastern Minnesota and earned degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and an MBA from The College of St. Scholastica.  For the last 12 years, he has worked as Corporate Controller and most recently as Vice President of Strategy & Finance at the St. Luke’s Health System in Duluth. Prior to his time at St. Lukes Chris worked within the Essentia Health System for over 10 years. Johnson has extensive experience developing and operationalizing strategies that help organizations meet their mission of helping patients.  He has also taught master’s level healthcare finance courses in an adjunct capacity.  

“I am excited to be joining the exceptional team at Lake Region Healthcare. I look forward to contributing to the organization’s priorities of improving financial stability and retaining its identity as a community based, locally governed healthcare enterprise,” Johnson said. “It’s an exciting time to join this leadership team working together with our board to steer the organization to a long and bright future.”

“Chris brings a long history of healthcare finance knowledge and experience that will be valuable and relevant to the growth initiatives we will continue to deploy and to the financial challenges we face as a rural independent healthcare enterprise,” said Kent Mattson, CEO.  “He is also a great cultural fit and is a seasoned leader who thrives on supporting his teams and growing new leaders which is essential for today’s workforce.” 

As CFO, Johnson will provide executive oversight to several areas of the organization including Mill Street Residence and the Enterprise departments of Finance, Supply Chain/Bio-Med, Revenue Cycle, Facilities/Maintenance and Environmental Services.