Health care provider IHA has integrated its first infectious disease specialists to its network, officials announced Thursday.

Five infectious disease specialists practicing privately as Infectious Disease Associates of Ann Arbor with the St. Joseph Mercy Health System will now be a part of IHA’s network of physicians covered by its plans under the name IHA Infectious Diseases Consultants.

Dr. Michael Otto, Dr. Varsha Moudgal, Dr. Anurag Malani, Dr. Rajasekhar Jagarlamudi and Dr. Holly Murphy will now be a part of IHA, and are among the physicians that were at the center of treating fungal meningitis patients during the recent outbreak link to a batch of contaminated steroids at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor.

“Describing the overwhelming number of hours spent away from their families caring for patients coupled with the genuine compassion that these physicians have demonstrated throughout this health crisis, can hardly be put into words,” said Dr. Thomas Shehab, IHA’s Internal Medicine Department Chair, in a news release.

“These are not only nationally-recognized physicians, but also outstanding men and women whom we are thrilled to welcome to the IHA family as IHA Infectious Diseases Consultants (IDC).”

IHA is a non-profit health care provider in southeast Michigan that affiliates itself with independent private-practice physicians that it selects. Currently, about 237 physicians are a part of IHA’s network

IHA is affiliated with Chelsea Community Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston and the University of Michigan Health System.

The integration of Infectious Diseases Associates marks another major expansion of services by IHA in 2012. During the past year, more than 80 physicians and practitioners have been added to IHA’s network to extend its geographic footprint and range of services.

In July, IHA consolidated with the nine physicians at Reichert Health Internal Medicine practice and proposed a merger with 57 physicians at Michigan Multi-Specialty Physician practice.

IHA also announced its plans to build a 44,000-square-foot medical center at Domino’s Farms Office Park. In October, IHA brought in Area Medicine Specialists of Hamburg for internal medicine and urgent care practices.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.