Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin and Albert Lea will now share a chief executive officer, a decision made by both hospitals’ board of trustees.

Dr. Mark Ciota, currently Albert Lea hospital’s CEO, has been selected to serve as CEO for both sites. Austin’s CEO, Dr. David Agerter, will be responsible for Mayo Clinic’s southeast region, meaning Ciota and Mayo Clinic Health System CEOs in Owatonna, Faribault, Northfield, Cannon Falls and Wabasha will all report to Agerter. While Agerter has had this position since the spring of 2011, it will now be his sole responsibility.

“The intent all along was for a transition, but we wanted to do that in a thoughtful way,” said Adam Rees, chief administrative officer in Austin.

Albert Lea’s chief administrative officer, Steve Waldhoff, said sharing a CEO is a significant step for the two hospitals, and that in the future the hospitals may look at consolidating some resources like administration.

A news release said Ciota will begin his new CEO responsibilities in the near future and will have an office and clinical practice in both locations.

“We’re just delighted with Dr. Ciota,” Rees said. “He is such an experienced leader and has served Albert Lea very well. We believe this will be a very good fit for Austin.”

Ciota, an orthopedic surgeon, joined the medical staff in Albert Lea in 1995 and served as its medical director from 2001-04. Ciota will work with Rees and Waldhoff to accomplish strategic goals, facilitate the integration and position both sites for future success, according to a news release.

Rees said the CEO change will not affect the Austin hospital’s $28-million, 86,500-square-foot expansion, which started in June 2011 and is slated for completion in February 2013. Hospital officials say the expansion will create about 70 full-time jobs, including nine new physician positions.

Other Mayo Clinic Health Systems are looking at similar consolidations.

— Adam Harringa contributed to this report.