Inland Cardiology merges with Deaconess

Inland Cardiology Associates has joined Deaconess Medical Center and Rockwood Clinic as the region’s doctor-owned clinics continue to merge with competing hospital systems.

The sale of Inland has been widely anticipated. The 12 physicians, eight midlevel providers and 140 employees of Inland work in offices in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, the Tri-Cities, and the Oregon cities of Pendleton and Hermiston.

Inland will keep its name even as it is folded into the integrated care delivery network that is being developed between Rockwood and Deaconess.

A news release issued by Inland said the cardiology practice would relocate its Spokane offices to the Deaconess campus.

Earlier this autumn Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center purchased Spokane Cardiology and Heart Clinics Northwest.

The two hospital systems have been aggressively buying clinics to secure a stream of patients.

The moves, including Deaconess’ purchase of Rockwood’s cardiology practice, leave Spokane without a major independent cardiology group.

Financial terms of the cardiology mergers have not been disclosed.