PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — A community hospital in Pawtucket has taken another formal step toward becoming part of a Providence-based hospital group.

Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and Care New England said Wednesday the boards of both institutions have approved an affiliation agreement.

The CEO of Care New England says the addition of Memorial Hospital will add a needed dimension of care that will serve the community well. The chairman of Memorial's board of trustees says the partnership will stabilize the hospital's finances.

Memorial is a 294-bed community hospital that is a teaching affiliate of Brown University's medical school. The Care New England network includes Women & Infants, Kent and Butler hospitals.