Sutter Health has been named the No. 2 large health system in the nation by Premier, a recognition that reflects safer care, stronger outcomes and better experiences for patients. The 2026 ranking marks Sutter’s third consecutive year on the prestigious 15 Top Health Systems® list.
The annual study evaluates health systems using publicly available data, offering an independent look at how health systems perform on the measures that matter most to patients.
For patients, this designation signals safer care, quicker recovery and better overall experience, delivered by care teams focused on clear communication, compassion and strong outcomes. Compared to peer health systems, top performers had 22% lower inpatient mortality, about 29% fewer healthcare-associated infections and shorter hospital stays.
For Sutter, the recognition reflects the work happening every day across its hospitals and care teams.
“We’re recognized as one of the top large health systems in the country because our incredible physicians, clinicians and care teams show up every day for our patients and communities,” said Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health. “As part of our work to change and save lives in the best way possible, we’re relentlessly focused on improving access, quality and the service we provide to our patients. We’re strengthening coordination to make care more seamless, and we’re finding even better ways to support the people delivering world-class care across our system.”
Recent Sutter Hospital Quality Recognitions
- Nine Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Awards for strong performance in complication and mortality outcomes nationwide.
- Eighteen High Performing ratings from U.S. News & World Report for 2025-2026 in at least one quality measure, with six ranking among the best in California or their regions.
- Sixteen “A” Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, including three “Straight A” designations for earning “A” grades for five or more consecutive grading periods.
- Fourteen four- and five-star ratings from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reflecting strong performance in quality, safety and patient experience.
“The ability to deliver reliable care at this level comes from a shared commitment across our teams to safety and clinical excellence,” said Dr. William Isenberg, Sutter Health’s chief medical and quality officer. “It’s how we help patients recover more quickly and get back to their daily lives and the moments that matter most.”
Digital Tools to Improve Care Delivery and Patient Experience
Sutter Health pursues innovation with purpose, using technology to improve care delivery and patient experience. These tools, including artificial intelligence, are implemented with strong safeguards and guided by Sutter’s mission of “patients first, people always.”
AI‑enabled solutions are helping clinicians detect disease earlier, reduce administrative burden so they can spend more time with patients, and expanding access to care by making services easier to reach. Through Sutter’s award‑winning digital initiatives, these efforts are translating into measurable improvements for patients and care teams.
- Sutter became the first health system to adopt Epic’s Ask Emmie, an AI-powered chatbot within My Health Online that allows patients to ask questions about their health and get personalized answers based on their medical history.
- In 2025, 70% of Sutter lung cancer patients were diagnosed at an early stage, compared to the 28% national average.
- Sutter Sync — a first-of-its-kind medical directly linked to Epic’s electronic health record — helps people manage chronic conditions from home while staying connected to their care teams, with 80% of patients seeing blood pressure under control within six months.
- Online appointment availability increased by more than 50%, with more than 220,000 appointments filled sooner through Fast Pass.
- Same-day video visits and online scheduling are available systemwide, helping patients connect with care without unnecessary delays.
- Digital reminders, test results and follow-ups are delivered in patients’ preferred formats and languages, creating a more personalized and connected experience.
For more information on Premier’s 15 Top Health Systems® Annual Report and its methodology, click here.
