Delivering exceptional healthcare quality and safety isn’t a matter of chance—it’s the result of deliberate focus and commitment from physicians, clinicians and care team members. That’s why not-for-profit health system Sutter Health counts these professions as key to its success.
Backed by the strength of its integrated network and the dedication of care teams, Sutter Health regularly outperforms state and national averages across nearly every measure of quality, safety and clinical effectiveness. Two of Sutter’s top physician leaders, Chief Physician Executive Dr. Todd Smith and Chief Medical and Quality Officer Dr. William Isenberg, credit this sustained performance to a collective effort, emphasizing that “excellence is our standard.”
That standard is earning national acclaim. In 2025 Sutter earned awards from CMS, U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, American Heart Association, the Leapfrog Group, Premier Inc. and others. These honors recognize Sutter’s achievements in medical specialties, patient experience and overall quality – and the health system has received each of these accolades numerous times before, year after year.
To illustrate this performance, Sutter recently released an infographic detailing how the health system stacks up on quality measures and how it’s integration of in-person and digital capabilities makes care more convenient and effective for patients. Click here to see the full infographic.
Digging deeper on the definition of standard, Drs. Smith and Isenberg explain that Sutter has built systems and skill sets so – as they put it – remarkable care isn’t rare; it’s reliable, sustainable and scalable. Recently Sutter has started to take its proven processes on the road. The not-for-profit organization is expanding, so more Californians can benefit from the award-winning care that Sutter offers.
Better access to healthcare services requires brick and mortar growth and digitally connected experiences and Sutter is committed to providing both to meet patients where they are.
- This year alone the organization has announced or celebrated new care centers or clinical space in Elk Grove, Emeryville, Folsom, Livermore, Los Banos, Modesto, Morgan Hill, Rohnert Park, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Del Norte and Lake counties.
- Digital tools are also playing a growing role in supporting patients with complex or chronic conditions. Sutter uses telemedicine to help treat mental health, physical rehab, high blood pressure and heart failure. New apps are in development to address some of the greatest challenges associated with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Each new care center and digital solution is built on the same foundation that Sutter is known for: great care, trusted relationships and thoughtful innovation that improves health for all. “That’s how we ensure every experience lives up to our name,” says Dr. Smith.
Finally, Sutter is putting its positive reputation to work in one more way: evolving what it means to provide high-quality care. “From our use of AI to the way we’re connecting every step in a patient’s health journey to give seamless access and support, we’re building the healthcare system of the future, today,” remarks Dr. Smith. Along the way Sutter is finding that capabilities once deemed ‘nice to have’ are critical to the provision of high-quality care.
According to Dr. Isenberg, improving communication between patients and providers, providing timely access and making care more convenient all contribute to better quality, better patients experience and ultimately, better outcomes.
As the 11th largest not-for-profit health system in the United States, serving 1 in 100 Americans, Sutter is in a unique position to accelerate the redesign of healthcare, so it better serves people’s modern needs and expectations while pushing the boundaries of medicine so more of us can lead longer, healthier lives. Getting this combination right, at scale, sets the stage for Sutter to emerge as a national leader.
