--- title: "Greater Central Coast surgeon and patient honored as \"Champions of Care\" by Sutter Health & San Francisco 49ers | Sutter Health" description: "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." url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/a-cancer-journey-comes-full-circle-on-the-49ers-field" --- 1. [Home](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient stories](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) / 3. Greater Central Coast surgeon and patient honored as "Champions of Care" by Sutter Health & San Francisco 49ers # A cancer journey comes full circle on the 49ers field Greater Central Coast surgeon and patient honored as "Champions of Care" by Sutter Health & San Francisco 49ers November 11, 2026 ![Zack Kramer and Dr. Cristina Harnsberger on the 49ers field](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/champs-of-care-hero.jpg?h=629&iar=0&w=768) Sutter Health colorectal surgeon [Dr. Cristina Harnsberger](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-cristina-r-harnsberger-1090093331) 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. ![Zack Kramer and Dr. Cristina Harnsberger on the 49ers field](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/champions-of-care-field.jpg) The Champions of Care series is part of [Sutter Health's](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) 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](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/colorectal-cancer) at the time. His colonoscopy revealed stage 3 colorectal cancer. ![Zack Kramer and Dr. Harnsberger on the jumbotron](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/jumbotron-image.jpg) "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](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-location/facility/ridley-tree-cancer-center-1080758769), 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. ![Dr. Harnsberger and Zack at Sutter Health](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/dr-h-zach-logg.jpeg) 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." ![Zack and his family at the 49ers game](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/champs-of-care-families.jpg) 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. [Read Zack's story](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/younger-colon-cancer-diagnoses-prompt-clinicians-to-act).  ## Topics [Colorectal Cancer](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Colorectal+Cancer%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles)[Cancer](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Cancer%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles) ## Colorectal cancer Early detection can make the difference in treating colorectal cancer. If you're facing a diagnosis or concerned about your risk, our specialists can provide advanced screening, personalized treatment and supportive care. [Learn more about Colorectal cancer](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/colorectal-cancer) ## Related articles ### [A Cure for Cancer? Here’s Where We Stand](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/a-cure-for-cancer-heres-where-we-stand) ### [Sutter Doctors Use AI to Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/sutter-doctors-use-ai-to-help-prevent-colorectal-cancer) ### [Younger Colon Cancer Diagnoses Prompt Clinicians to Act](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/younger-colon-cancer-diagnoses-prompt-clinicians-to-act) ### [San Carlos Cyclist Champions Colon Cancer Screening](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/san-carlos-cyclist-champions-colon-cancer-screening) [See all from Patient stories](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) ## Check your Vitals Get the latest in health innovation, community impact and patient care from Sutter Health — delivered straight to your inbox. 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