FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Dakotas-based health care system plans to merge with a clinic and hospital in northern Minnesota.

Sanford Health officials announced Thursday that they have signed an agreement to join with North Country Health Services of Bemidji, Minn. North Country Health has 900 employees and serves a region of about 100,000 people.

Sanford Health was formed last year by the merger of two health systems in North Dakota and South Dakota. It is headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Fargo, N.D., and is billed as the nation’s largest not-for-profit rural health care provider.

Sanford has more than 18,000 employees.

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