Syracuse, N.Y.-based Crouse Hospital is forming a clinical affiliation with three hospitals in northern New York, according to Syracuse.com.
Crouse will partner with Carthage (N.Y.) Area Hospital, Ogdensburg, N.Y.-based Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Alexandria Bay, N.Y.-based River Hospital to help with physician recruitment and specialist referrals.
Though all the hospitals will remain independently owned and operated, officials from Crouse said the agreement leaves the door open for future acquisitions or mergers.