DULUTH — St. Luke’s has announced changes in leadership with the retirement of Co-President and Chief Financial Officer Eric Lohn on April 12.
Hired in 2015 as CFO, Lohn helped to secure financing for expansion projects and navigated the health system through the financial difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release from St. Luke’s.
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“The timing is right for me personally, and while it was a difficult personal decision, I know a strong leadership team is in place at St. Luke’s and great things are ahead,” Lohn said in the news release.
Lohn’s retirement pairs with the announcement of promotions.
Starting April 15, Co-President Dr. Nicholas Van Deelen will serve as president of the health care system and president of Aspirus Health's Minnesota region. Vice President of Strategy and Finance Chris Johnson will begin as St. Luke’s interim chief operating officer.
According to the release, Van Deelen joined St. Luke’s as an emergency medicine physician more than 25 years ago. In 2020, Van Deelen was promoted to chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs, then joined Lohn as co-president and CEO the following year, when Kevin Nokels stepped down after 15 months.
In 2012, Johnson was hired as controller and director of finance before being promoted to his current position in 2021.
The announcements follow the merger between St. Luke’s and Aspirus Health, finalized March 1, to create a combined health care system that operates 19 hospitals and 130 outpatient locations, employing nearly 14,000.
"I want to express my gratitude to Eric for his exceptional leadership and support during our affiliation process and for his contributions in building a strong foundation at St. Luke’s over the last decade,” Aspirus Health President and CEO Matt Heywood said in the news release.
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