Sutter Health again recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces

For the third year in row, Sutter Health has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for 2026, reflecting continued progress in how the organization supports its people and prepares for the future of healthcare.

Recognizing organizations across key areas of employee experience — including work-life balance, career growth, culture and belonging, and more — the America’s Greatest Workplaces list is based on one of the nation’s largest independent employee studies. It draws on publicly available data and a confidential survey conducted between April and October 2025, capturing more than 2.7 million company reviews from over 179,000 employees, along with an additional 4.9 million reviews and 400,000 interviews from 2022 to 2024.

“Our goal at Sutter is to make healthcare better, more connected and easier to access for the patients and communities we serve,” said Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health. “We can only do that with a strong culture and teams who feel supported, valued and connected to our mission. This recognition as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces reflects the work our people do every day to care for patients, support one another and make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.”

Building a Workforce for What Healthcare Needs Most

As demand for care grows across California and beyond, Sutter is expanding both its care sites and its workforce — strengthening access for patients while creating more opportunities for employees, physicians and advanced practice clinicians, and growing the next generation of caregivers.

Through its long-term strategy, the organization is:

• Growing care sites and expanding services statewide to serve more patients
• Recruiting and retaining the best clinicians, physicians, researchers and staff
• Creating training environments where physicians learn alongside mentors and care teams, grow and lead

By the end of 2027, Sutter expects to train approximately 575 residents and fellows across 39 accredited programs. This approach reflects a broader goal: building a workplace where people can grow alongside an organization evolving to meet the needs of patients and communities.

Designing a More Connected, Modern Work Experience

Sutter is investing in digital tools designed to make work easier — simplifying workflows, reducing unnecessary tasks and helping teams focus on what matters most: caring for patients.

These tools are also improving the day-to-day experience for care teams by reducing cognitive load, easing documentation demands and creating more time for meaningful patient connection.

• Automation, enhanced technology and workflow simplification saved care teams 6 million+ hours in 2025
• Since launching in 2024, ambient AI has supported 4,000+ Sutter clinicians in completing 4 million+ clinical notes, reducing charting time by up to 30% and enabling greater focus on patient care.
• By redesigning documentation workflows and eliminating unnecessary steps, the Nursing FOCUS initiative saved nurses 40,000+ hours in a single year — reducing administrative burden and creating more time for direct patient care.
• 9 million+ patients scheduled appointments online in 2025, representing a 55% increase from 2023 and 28% of all scheduled appointments for the year — helping streamline scheduling, referrals and care coordination across the system

Together, these efforts are helping build a more sustainable workforce, supporting clinicians and patients today while preparing for the future of healthcare.

A Culture Centered on Purpose and Belonging

Even as the organization evolves, Sutter’s foundation remains the same: a culture built on purpose, connection and a shared commitment to high-quality care.

Guided by its mission for caring for patients first and its people always, Sutter continues to foster an environment where employees feel supported, valued and connected to something bigger than themselves.

Sutter Employee Resource Groups, known as SERGs, continue to grow and help employees connect across roles, backgrounds and experiences. Today, more than 14% of Sutter employees participate in at least one SERG, with additional groups in development.

Through the Power of ONE Sutter, individuals and teams across the system are strengthening a culture where every role contributes to better care and stronger communities.

Listening to Employees and Strengthening Engagement

Listening to employees and acting on what they share remains central to how Sutter continues to evolve.

• 90% of employees participated in the Experience of Work Survey, well above the national average of 72%.
• 83% reported feeling engaged, placing Sutter at the 86th percentile compared to the National Healthcare Average.

That feedback is helping shape improvements in career development, communication and workplace support — reinforcing a workplace where people feel heard, supported and connected to the organization’s mission, as well as invested in the future of the system and themselves.

Supporting Careers That Grow and Evolve

Sutter’s focus on growth extends across every stage of an employee’s career.

Through expanded learning opportunities, leadership development programs and clearer career pathways, employees are supported in building skills, advancing professionally and exploring new opportunities within the organization. A key part of that effort is Sutter Health University, which continues to expand access to learning systemwide, helping employees and leaders build skills aligned with the future of healthcare.

• Participation has grown 120% year over year
• More than 13,000 employees and leaders participated in structured learning
• More than 40,000 learning experiences were delivered across the system in 2025, representing a 216% increase from 2024

Through these efforts, Sutter is strengthening leadership capabilities, supporting career mobility and building a workforce prepared to meet the growing needs of patients and communities.

“When individuals learn and grow with us, they build meaningful careers and strengthen the organization around them,” says Deborah Yount, Sutter Health’s chief human resources officer. “Developing exceptional people leaders and a future-ready workforce enables our employees to thrive, supports our ability to engage, retain and attract top talent and prepares Sutter Health for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s leadership.”

More Than Being Named to a List

For Sutter, this recognition reflects the experiences of its people, and the connection between supporting the workforce and delivering high-quality, comprehensive care to our patients.

By continuing to invest in its people, modernizing how work happens and expanding access to care, Sutter is building a workplace designed for the future — where employees can grow their careers while making a meaningful difference for patients and communities.

For more information on award methodology, click here.