Following a nation-wide Chief Executive Officer (CEO) search, the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors announces the appointment of John Allen as President and CEO. Allen will begin at Prairie Lakes on February 27, 2023, and will replace Paul Macek, who was hired in August 2021 as Interim CEO to assist with the recruitment of a permanent CEO.
“We’re pleased to welcome John Allen to the Prairie Lakes family,” said Robb Peterson, Board Chairman. “John has a lot to offer Prairie Lakes and we are excited to challenge him to continue focused efforts on the strategic initiatives we have recently developed. With Mr. Allen joining us, we will continue to emphasize our position as a leader in the region for quality healthcare.” Peterson added, “On behalf of the Board and Prairie Lakes, I’d also like to thank Paul Macek for his dedication and the successes he has brought to our organization throughout the last couple of years.”
Allen comes to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System with 30 years of demonstrated performance in healthcare management, executive leadership, and business. He has an extensive history in strategic service line planning, operations leadership, and partnering with physicians and across organizations.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Theater from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, Allen went on to complete his Master of Business Administrator degree with a focus in finance from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. He is relocating to Watertown, SD from Boise, ID. Allen previously served as the System Vice President, Enterprise Planning and Decision Support role for St. Luke’s Health System, the largest not for profit health system in Idaho, incorporating eight adult and pediatric hospitals. His vast healthcare knowledge will be an asset to Prairie Lakes to continue momentum toward recent initiatives to enhance organizational culture, be the keystone of the community, optimize operational excellence, and provide exceptional patient care every day.
“I am honored to lead the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System organization and am excited to become part of the Watertown community,” said Allen. “I look forward to cultivating relationships in Watertown, with regional partners, and with the exceptional employees and medical staff of Prairie Lakes. I am dedicated to the continued success of Prairie Lakes while leading efforts to deliver high quality, accessible, patient-centered care to the community and region of Watertown.”
