Dothan-based Southeast Health announced Friday that it has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, becoming the first hospital in Alabama to enter the collaboration.

The partnership gives Southeast Health doctors access to Mayo Clinic’s expertise and resources, allowing more patients in the Yellowhammer State to benefit from that support without leaving home for care.

“Being invited to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network is a tremendous honor for Southeast Health and a meaningful milestone for the patients and communities we serve,” says Rick Sutton, CEO of Southeast Health and president of the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“This collaboration gives our physicians access to Mayo Clinic’s world-renowned expertise while ensuring patients can continue receiving high-quality care close to home. It also reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to advancing clinical excellence and furthers our goals to become one of the top health systems in the nation.”

According to Southeast Health, the partnership gives local providers access to tools and services including AskMayoExpert, eConsults with Mayo Clinic specialists, live multidisciplinary case-review eBoards, and consulting support for clinical, operational, and business goals. The health system said staff will also be able to use Mayo educational materials and continuing medical education resources.

“We are pleased to welcome Southeast Health into the Mayo Clinic Care Network,” says Ryan Uitti, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Platform.

“This collaboration showcases their commitment to excellence and their readiness to leverage Mayo Clinic resources to benefit patients across this region.”

Southeast Health and Mayo Clinic said the Dothan-based system will remain independent as part of the network. Mayo describes the Mayo Clinic Care Network as a group of more than 45 healthcare organizations worldwide that share knowledge and expertise aimed at improving care delivery and outcomes.

For Alabama, the announcement is significant because it establishes the state’s first formal Mayo Clinic Care Network presence through an in-state provider, expanding access to nationally recognized medical expertise without automatically sending patients out of market for complex care.