MINOT, N.D. — Minot-based Trinity Health has become the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

The partnership gives Trinity Health's doctors and other officials direct access to experts and resources at the Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic. The goal is to strengthen the delivery and quality of health care, officials said Wednesday in announcing the partnership.

"Trinity providers will have access to collaborate with Mayo specialists, have access to the latest Mayo Clinic knowledge and expertise, and be able to ensure that patients travel out of the area for care only when necessary," said Trinity Health President and CEO John Kutch.

The nonprofit Trinity Health system has more than 2,700 employees and serves western North Dakota and eastern Montana.

The Mayo Clinic Care Network now has 20 member organizations in 10 states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Altru Health System in Grand Forks and St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck also are North Dakota members of the network.

"By working with such committed organizations, Mayo Clinic hopes to develop new models of care, and increase quality for patients by providing the right care, at the right place, at the right time," said David Hayes, medical director of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.