COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — A Columbus hospital is joining the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports that St. Francis Hospital becomes the network's only Georgia hospital and one of 22 facilities in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Hospital officials announced the partnership Wednesday.

Dr. Stephen Lange, Southeast medical director of the network, says it means that patients at the Columbus hospital will have access to Mayo's expertise, research and emerging clinical trends.

Lange is based at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. The system's flagship operation and headquarters is in Rochester, Minn. A third clinic is in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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