Sutter Health
11/09/2026 | Press release | Archived content
New cancer center expands access to advanced care in the East Bay
For patients and families across the East Bay, a new era of advanced, comprehensive cancer care begins as Stanford Medicine and Sutter Health celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center.
The five-story, 167,000-square-foot outpatient center at 3023 Summit St. on Sutter's Alta Bates Summit Medical Center campus in Oakland was developed through a collaboration between Stanford Medicine and Sutter Health. The new Cancer Center will give patients access to a broad range of cancer care services, specialists and resources in one location. Together, two national leaders in health care are creating a more connected approach to cancer care, giving physicians and care teams greater opportunities to collaborate while helping patients more easily navigate diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Registration at the Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center. Photo credit: Hardy Wilson Photography"Cancer care is becoming more advanced and personalized, and patients should not have to leave their community to benefit from that progress," said Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health. "This partnership brings together Sutter Health's commitment to patients and communities with Stanford Medicine's commitment to research. By combining our strengths, we can bring specialized treatments, clinical trials and comprehensive support closer to home, giving more patients across the East Bay access to the advanced cancer care they need."
Show transcript
Telling someone they have cancer
obviously changes their life forever.
That conversation,
which I've had hundreds of times,
has never once gotten
any easier for me.
When we think about patients
and the options that they have today,
many patients are willing to travel
long distances just for hope.
And what we're doing is
we're bringing hope
to the community right here.
Most of my patients
get in a car
and drive between
one and five hours to see me.
one and five hours to see me.
And usually they come in trying to be
their best version of themselves.
And so when someone said,
can we do this differently?
Can we make it a little easier
on our patients and families
to get the care that they need?
I was like, absolutely.
That's exactly what we need to do.
We really took a different approach here.
Let's take collectively
what we're doing together.
We wanted that partner that could
continue to enhance
and develop locally,
what we were both doing
already, individually.
That's really where the power
of this partnership comes together.
You have two of the leading
organizations in the country,
coming together to really put the
strengths of both those organizations
in one building.
Over 70 physicians and clinicians
will be on site in this location.
We'll be taking care of literally
tens of thousands of patients.
So it is going to be transformative
and a big value to that community.
It is going to be an integrated experience
all the way across the board
in terms of their care journey,
from the moment of diagnosis,
all the way through to treatment.
The thing people struggle with is
how complicated their schedule,
and the number of things they
have to coordinate becomes
as a result of having a cancer diagnosis.
What we can do here is make sure
all of that's taken care of in one place.
There's a fundamental commitment
that every patient that walks
into this cancer center
will receive the absolute best
medical treatment.
But I would also say that
that's not enough.
There's an additional level of care,
there's the cutting edge of
treatment and of research.
Part of the intent here
is to make sure that
patients have access to
what is going to be
the next standard of care.
Patients, once they're diagnosed with cancer,
often spend more time
with their cancer team
than their own families.
And so it's really up to us
to demystify
what it means to go through
this cancer journey-
to provide support and education
along the way,
to reengage with every
person that we see,
with honesty,
with data,
with compassion,
and the ability for them
to reset in what it means
to be hopeful.
We have direct services here
from medical oncologists, surgeons,
we have an ambulatory surgery center,
an infusion center,
a pharmacy, lab,
other healing services
like preventive care
and longitudinal care.
Clinicians are going to be
working together on teams,
giving patients that feeling
and that knowledge that
we've got their back.
We created a space
that brings a level of cancer care
that isn't solely Stanford
or solely Sutter,
it's truly Oakland.
And it's bringing the best of Stanford
and the best of Sutter
in a way that the community wants it.
They wanted to see color.
They wanted to see colors
that represent Oakland.
We want to see ourselves
in the building.
Six stories tall with beautiful views
for our patients
as they are receiving treatment.
You can tell how thoughtfully
the teams organized the
layout of all the space.
From the infusion chairs being on
the top floor with the views of the Bay,
to the radiation oncology vaults,
which are state-of-the-art,
all of that is bringing together
a really healing environment.
This is a physical location
where we will continue to learn
as an organization.
We'll be able to find new ways
to care for patients,
and continue on our journey to innovate
and bring the best of cancer care
to not only this community,
but more broadly.
As beautiful as this building is,
and it is beautiful,
what's more beautiful is when
we see the hearts and minds
of the people that have worked
for many years on this project,
come together and
see it come to life.
You look at a piece of ground,
you look at a community,
you look at what can be
the hope, the opportunity.
And it really is a surreal moment
because it's the beginning of something
that will have an impact
for decades to come.
obviously changes their life forever.
That conversation,
which I've had hundreds of times,
has never once gotten
any easier for me.
When we think about patients
and the options that they have today,
many patients are willing to travel
long distances just for hope.
And what we're doing is
we're bringing hope
to the community right here.
Most of my patients
get in a car
and drive between
one and five hours to see me.
one and five hours to see me.
And usually they come in trying to be
their best version of themselves.
And so when someone said,
can we do this differently?
Can we make it a little easier
on our patients and families
to get the care that they need?
I was like, absolutely.
That's exactly what we need to do.
We really took a different approach here.
Let's take collectively
what we're doing together.
We wanted that partner that could
continue to enhance
and develop locally,
what we were both doing
already, individually.
That's really where the power
of this partnership comes together.
You have two of the leading
organizations in the country,
coming together to really put the
strengths of both those organizations
in one building.
Over 70 physicians and clinicians
will be on site in this location.
We'll be taking care of literally
tens of thousands of patients.
So it is going to be transformative
and a big value to that community.
It is going to be an integrated experience
all the way across the board
in terms of their care journey,
from the moment of diagnosis,
all the way through to treatment.
The thing people struggle with is
how complicated their schedule,
and the number of things they
have to coordinate becomes
as a result of having a cancer diagnosis.
What we can do here is make sure
all of that's taken care of in one place.
There's a fundamental commitment
that every patient that walks
into this cancer center
will receive the absolute best
medical treatment.
But I would also say that
that's not enough.
There's an additional level of care,
there's the cutting edge of
treatment and of research.
Part of the intent here
is to make sure that
patients have access to
what is going to be
the next standard of care.
Patients, once they're diagnosed with cancer,
often spend more time
with their cancer team
than their own families.
And so it's really up to us
to demystify
what it means to go through
this cancer journey-
to provide support and education
along the way,
to reengage with every
person that we see,
with honesty,
with data,
with compassion,
and the ability for them
to reset in what it means
to be hopeful.
We have direct services here
from medical oncologists, surgeons,
we have an ambulatory surgery center,
an infusion center,
a pharmacy, lab,
other healing services
like preventive care
and longitudinal care.
Clinicians are going to be
working together on teams,
giving patients that feeling
and that knowledge that
we've got their back.
We created a space
that brings a level of cancer care
that isn't solely Stanford
or solely Sutter,
it's truly Oakland.
And it's bringing the best of Stanford
and the best of Sutter
in a way that the community wants it.
They wanted to see color.
They wanted to see colors
that represent Oakland.
We want to see ourselves
in the building.
Six stories tall with beautiful views
for our patients
as they are receiving treatment.
You can tell how thoughtfully
the teams organized the
layout of all the space.
From the infusion chairs being on
the top floor with the views of the Bay,
to the radiation oncology vaults,
which are state-of-the-art,
all of that is bringing together
a really healing environment.
This is a physical location
where we will continue to learn
as an organization.
We'll be able to find new ways
to care for patients,
and continue on our journey to innovate
and bring the best of cancer care
to not only this community,
but more broadly.
As beautiful as this building is,
and it is beautiful,
what's more beautiful is when
we see the hearts and minds
of the people that have worked
for many years on this project,
come together and
see it come to life.
You look at a piece of ground,
you look at a community,
you look at what can be
the hope, the opportunity.
And it really is a surreal moment
because it's the beginning of something
that will have an impact
for decades to come.
"Stanford Medicine's vision to revolutionize cancer innovation and care extends to communities across the Bay Area," said David Entwistle, president and CEO of Stanford Health Care. "We are proud to partner with Sutter Health to advance detection, prevention, treatment and cure for patients and families in the East Bay. This Cancer Center unites our teams around a shared goal: expanding access to exceptional cancer care, comprehensive support and greater hope for better outcomes, close to home."
The best of two systems
Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center's infusion center offers panoramic views of the Bay. Photo credit: Hardy Wilson PhotographyStanford Medicine and Sutter Health first announced their joint venture in February 2021 with a shared vision to expand access to high-quality, coordinated cancer care in the East Bay. The Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center brings that vision to life, bringing together the complementary strengths of both organizations in one location. Stanford Medicine offers nationally recognized expertise in specialized cancer care, innovation and clinical research, while Sutter brings an extensive, integrated network along with a whole-person approach to cancer care, a longstanding commitment to supportive and complementary therapies, and deep roots in East Bay communities. The collaboration is designed to expand access to specialized expertise and innovative treatments while creating a more seamless experience for patients and their families.
"Cancer care is inherently multidisciplinary, and this center creates new opportunities for physicians and care teams to work together around the needs of each patient," said Rob Nordgren, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer for Sutter's Greater San Francisco and East Bay Division. "By connecting specialized expertise, clinical research and comprehensive services in one location, we're making cancer care more coordinated and accessible for patients across the East Bay."
Comprehensive cancer care in one location
Designed around the needs of patients and families, the Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center will offer outpatient cancer clinics, infusion, imaging, radiation oncology, ambulatory surgery, breast health and pharmacy services. Patients will also have access to clinical research, nurse navigation, genetic counseling, nutrition counseling, survivorship programs, complementary therapies such as acupuncture and massage therapy and other supportive services designed to care for the whole person throughout their cancer care.
"Opening the Cancer Center means opening the door to the latest clinical advancements in cancer care and a full bench of experts for East Bay patients," said Kavitha Ramchandran, M.D., medical director of the Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center. "At the Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center, patients and their families can have peace of mind knowing that they have access to early detection, advanced treatments and wraparound services designed to provide patient-centered, whole-person care at every point of their cancer experience."
Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center features 89 commissioned art pieces, most from East Bay and Oakland artists. Photo credit: Hardy Wilson Photography"For patients facing cancer, having their specialists, treatments and support services connected can make an incredibly complex experience easier to navigate," said Laura Crocitto, M.D., executive medical director of oncology services, Sutter Health. "Just as importantly, it allows us to care for the whole person, connecting patients with the supportive services and resources they need throughout treatment, recovery and survivorship."
The patient experience extends beyond clinical care. The building's design, furnishings and artwork were thoughtfully selected to help create a welcoming, healing environment for patients and their families. Throughout the Cancer Center, artwork created by local artists strengthens the center's connection to the East Bay community it serves.
The Cancer Center is expected to begin seeing patients on Dec. 1, with services expanding as the center moves toward full operations in February 2027.
Expanding access to clinical trials
The Cancer Center will also connect East Bay patients with clinical research opportunities from Stanford Medicine and Sutter Health. Clinical research opportunities from both organizations are planned to be available on-site, allowing eligible patients to explore available clinical trials and new treatment approaches with their care teams.
"Bringing our clinical trials infrastructure into the East Bay means patients don't have to choose between staying close to home and accessing the most advanced treatment options available," said Maria Gonzalez, vice president of Stanford Medicine oncology, clinical research and healthcare administration. "Increasing access for East Bay patients not only helps advance discoveries for patients all over the world but, importantly, it gives people hope through new treatment options that are available only through clinical trials."
Investing in the future of East Bay cancer care
The Cancer Center represents a significant, long-term investment in the future of cancer care in the East Bay. As a regional hub for comprehensive outpatient cancer services, the center brings together teams, technology and services from both organizations in one location, creating a foundation for continued innovation, growth and expanded access. The center also establishes a platform for future expansion of cancer services, clinical research and innovation to help meet the evolving needs of East Bay communities. Those needs remain significant throughout the East Bay. The 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment for Alameda and Contra Costa counties found that cancer was the No. 1 cause of death in both counties in 2023. The assessment also identified substantial disparities in cancer mortality by race and ethnicity, with Black residents experiencing significantly higher mortality rates than other groups.
At launch, the Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center is anticipated to include more than 70 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 300 team members. Physicians from the Stanford Medicine and Sutter Health systems will work in disease-based clinical teams, supporting greater collaboration and coordination for patients' cancer care.
The center is the result of years of planning and collaboration among clinical, operational and technology teams from both organizations, working together to create a more connected, coordinated and patient-centered approach to cancer care.
Sutter Health published this content on November 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 12, 2026 at 09:27 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]