Providence Health Care, Colville, Wash., has acquired 26-physician Northeast Washington Medical Group, according to a news release.

Financial terms weren't disclosed. The group—which will change its name to the Providence Northeast Washington Medical Group—serves about 24,000 patients in a three-county region and records about 70,000 annual patient visits. Physicians and administrative leaders will form a locally based leadership team to govern the group. Providence officials said the move marks another step toward bolstering integrated delivery systems in the Inland Northwest. The newly acquired group will work with Providence Medical Group and Providence St. Joseph's Hospital; both in Chewelah, Wash. Providence consists of 11 integrated healthcare organizations in eastern Washington.

"Local physicians will have a key role in strategic direction setting and management for the new group," said Providence Mount Carmel and Providence St. Joseph's Hospital CEO Robert Campbell, in a news release. "In addition, the leadership team will have a larger leadership role in designing care across the region, collaborating with other Spokane-based physicians to develop a truly integrated delivery system throughout the Inland Northwest."

The group's staff includes the physicians, seven advanced-practice providers and 118 employees who will transition to Providence working at Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille counties. The group's main clinic is near Providence Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville. The group operates three clinics in northeast Washington and owns a medical lab.