(KNZA)--Amberwell Health in Atchison is among five Kansas hospitals forming a new partnership called Astra Health.

The hospitals will remain independent but work together to improve health care access in rural communities.

Along with Amberwell Health, the partnership includes LMH Health in Lawrence, the University of Kansas Health System, Newman Regional Health in Emporia and Salina Regional Health Center.

LMH Health CEO Shelly Kortkamp says Astra Health will leverage shared resources that no individual organization could efficiently develop on its own.

The partnership was announced Tuesday.