Two New England hospital networks and Brown University are working to bring better patient care, doctor training and biomedical innovation to Rhode Island.
Partners HealthCare, Care New England Health System and the Ivy League school signed an agreement Tuesday that establishes Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School as the primary academic research and teaching institution for CNE.
The memorandum details the terms for negotiating a formal agreement.
Other objectives of the partnership include exploring the potential for a new medical research institute in Providence.
Partners proposes acquiring Care New England, but the deal needs state and federal regulatory approvals.
Partners operates Boston's Brigham and Women's and Massachusetts General hospitals. Care New England is the parent organization of Butler Hospital, Kent Hospital, and Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island.