WAKEFIELD, R.I., and ROCHESTER, Minn. — South County Health (SCH) and Mayo Clinic today announced SCH has become the first healthcare organization in Rhode Island to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a select group of independent healthcare organizations carefully vetted by Mayo Clinic and granted special access to Mayo Clinic's knowledge, expertise and resources.

The milestone represents a significant advancement for healthcare in Rhode Island and serves as a foundational step in South County Health's vision to create a new model for independent community healthcare — one that combines world-class clinical expertise, advanced digital capabilities, and local, patient-centered care. As part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, South County Health healthcare professionals can quickly access Mayo Clinic's latest research, diagnostic and treatment recommendations whenever they feel it will benefit their patients.

"Today marks a defining moment for South County Health and the communities we serve," says Aaron Robinson, president and CEO of South County Health. "Becoming a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network brings together the best of both worlds: trusted local care and the knowledge, expertise, and resources of one of the world's leading healthcare organizations, while preserving the personalized, community-based care that has always been at the heart of South County Health."

South County Health healthcare professionals can consult Mayo Clinic expertise when they determine it would benefit a patient, at no additional cost to the patient. This can provide additional clinical input while supporting care close to home.  The Mayo Clinic Care Network membership expands the tools and expertise available to local clinicians, enhancing the high-quality care already available in the community and providing additional support for complex cases and specialized needs.

As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, South County Health clinicians will have access to:

• AskMayoExpert – Provides trusted, expert information to help healthcare professionals find the right answers when they need them. Created and used by Mayo Clinic physicians, all the information in AskMayoExpert is regularly reviewed and represents the latest in Mayo Clinic's medical expertise.
• eConsults – Direct connections to Mayo Clinic specialists for complex cases.
• eBoards – Multidisciplinary case reviews with Mayo Clinic experts and other network members.
• Mayo Clinic Platform – Advanced digital and AI-enabled clinical tools.

"We are pleased to welcome South County Health into the Mayo Clinic Care Network," says Ryan Uitti, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Platform. "Their commitment to quality, safety and patient-centered care aligns well with the values of the Mayo Clinic Care Network."

South County Health was selected to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network by demonstrating a commitment to quality and patient-centered care. Founded in 2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network reached a 15-year milestone as a global community of more than 50 member organizations, representing 80 hospitals and nearly 20,000 physicians.

"For many independent health systems across the country, the traditional path to sustainability has required sacrificing independence to gain access to the resources, scale and expertise needed to compete in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape," Robinson adds. "We believe there is another path. This is about creating a model that improves administrative work and advances clinical care. That means a stronger local health system today and greater access to world-class healthcare for generations to come."

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

About Mayo Clinic Platform
Mayo Clinic Platform is a strategic initiative of Mayo Clinic that enables collaboration, data-driven innovation and responsible AI development to transform healthcare globally. Mayo Clinic Platform is reimagining healthcare as an ecosystem — one where data, digital solutions and expertise flow seamlessly between innovators and care teams to improve care for patients everywhere.

About South County Health
South County Health is an independent, nonprofit health system featuring a 100-bed community hospital (South County Hospital) along with six ambulatory locations across central and Rhode Island. With a commitment to clinical excellence, patient-centered care and community well-being, South County Health provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient and specialty services. South County Health is proud to be Rhode Island's Most Trusted Health Partner.

Media contacts:

• Matt Moeller, South County Health, mmoeller@southcountyhealth.org
• Caroline Auger, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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