ATHENS—St. Mary’s Health Care System joined Stratus Healthcare, the largest alliance of health care providers in the southeastern United States. The agreement includes St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens and St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro.

While St. Mary’s is a member, it remains independent. St. Mary’s already is an affiliate of CHE Trinity Health, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the nation.

Formed in July 2013, Stratus Healthcare unites health care providers across Georgia in one of the nation’s largest collaborations of hospitals, health care systems and physicians aligned to develop a clinically integrated network. Stratus Healthcare currently consists of 29 hospitals and approximately 2,000 physicians. The partnership was announced on Sept. 10.

Members work together in a formalized partnership to exchange best practices, combine resources, develop coordinated information systems, reduce costs and manage the health of populations.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Mary’s focuses on neurosciences, cardiac care, orthopedics, general surgery, robotic surgery, women’s and children’s health, and gastroenterology. The system includes 196-bed St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, 25-bed St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greene County, and additional retirement, home health, hospice, outpatient and physician services.

In a press release, Don McKenna, St. Mary’s president and CEO, said, “We are looking forward to the efficiencies and quality improvements this alliance will create. Our participation in Stratus will help to improve the overall health and care experience of patients throughout the state.”