Sutter Health colorectal surgeon Dr. Cristina Harnsberger and her patient, Zack Kramer, a Santa Barbara dad of three daughters, stood on the playing field before the start of the San Francisco 49ers game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, Nov. 8, as the PA announcer introduced the Champions of Care celebration. Photos of Kramer appeared on the giant video board, an emotional moment for both the doctor and her patient, and an incredible ending to a long and challenging medical journey.
The Champions of Care series is part of Sutter Health's partnership with the 49ers, celebrating the meaningful relationship between a physician and patient by sharing their inspiring story with the 49ers Faithful, while also highlighting Sutter’s cutting-edge clinical expertise, advanced capabilities, and innovative technology.
In 2021, Kramer experienced troubling symptoms, but at just 47 years old, he was younger than the standard screening age for colon cancer at the time. His colonoscopy revealed stage 3 colorectal cancer.
"I had young kids when this all started. I remember that feeling of not really knowing what would happen," recalled Kramer.
After successful surgeries with Dr. Cristina Harnsberger and treatment at Sutter's Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, Zack is now cancer-free and thriving.
"Dr. Harnsberger and my other doctors have been amazing through a really difficult experience. I feel lucky to come to a stadium like this and tell my story and hopefully it will help someone else. It is a good as it gets," commented Kramer.
Harnsberger called the ceremony "amazing" and said she felt grateful and humbled that Kramer's story was shared. "It really was an entire army and feat to get someone to this point from where Zack was. We have an incredible team and we are blessed to have Sutter support us in Santa Barbara."
Fellowship-trained in colorectal surgery, Dr. Harnsberger is a Santa Barbara native. Her hometown community helped to fund her medical education, and today she’s back home, raising her family on the Central Coast and caring for patients like Zack.
Their families were a big part of the stadium celebration, and their spouses and children proudly watched it all unfold. "It is just an incredible feeling and I feel so lucky I got to share it with them," remarked Kramer.
