GE HealthCare and Sutter Health have entered into a seven-year enterprise partnership, dubbed the “Care Alliance,” to enhance patient care through advanced imaging technology and streamlined services. This collaboration aims to expand access to cutting-edge diagnostic care across California, providing patients with quicker appointments, faster diagnostic results, and improved overall care through AI-powered imaging solutions.
The partnership will help bring sophisticated healthcare technologies closer to communities, ensuring more timely and consistent care. It is one of GE HealthCare’s largest strategic partnerships, highlighting their commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency.
The Care Alliance is designed to boost Sutter Health’s capabilities with the latest in imaging technology, ensuring faster access to critical diagnostic equipment and services. It is centered on several key goals: improving access to care, increasing operational efficiency, enhancing the patient experience, and ensuring consistent, high-quality care across all Sutter Health locations. The partnership will also improve system integration and the timely replacement of aging equipment.
Warner Thomas, President and CEO of Sutter Health, emphasized the importance of the partnership in responding to the needs of their 3.5 million patients across Northern California and the Central Coast. “This collaboration ensures that no matter where patients enter the Sutter Health system, they’ll receive seamless and coordinated care,” he said.
A significant aspect of this alliance is the introduction of advanced AI-powered imaging technology throughout Sutter Health’s network. The technology includes cutting-edge equipment such as PET/CT, SPECT/CT, MRI, CT, X-ray, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound, all of which will be deployed across hospitals and ambulatory care centers. Additionally, GE HealthCare’s interventional solutions, mammography, diagnostic cardiology, and anesthesia services will be available in Sutter’s outpatient centers to better address the demand for non-hospital-based care.
“We are committed to supporting Sutter Health in its mission and have deep respect for their openness to a collaboration that meets the heart of their needs,” said Catherine Estrampes, president & CEO of GE HealthCare’s U.S. and Canada operations. “This Care Alliance is a clinician-focused approach, designed with expertise to optimize technology deployment and improve patient care.”
The partnership will introduce new AI and digital solutions, such as GE HealthCare’s Omni Legend PET/CT, StarGuide SPECT/CT, and Vscan Air™ SL ultrasound with Caption AI™ software. A key innovation is the AIR™ Recon DL MR image reconstruction technology, which uses deep learning to improve MRI image quality and reduce scan times, enhancing both diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort.
The collaboration also supports Sutter Health’s broader expansion strategy, which includes the development of new care sites and advanced service lines in areas such as heart and vascular care, cancer care, and neurosciences. New technologies and digital solutions will enable precise, high-quality care, from early screening through treatment and monitoring. One notable project is the construction of a new cancer center on Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center campus in the California Central Valley.
In addition to technology upgrades, the partnership will invest in workforce development. This includes training and education programs for technologists, nurses, and physicians, aimed at addressing the growing need for skilled healthcare professionals. GE HealthCare will collaborate with Sutter Health to design a scalable workforce program, including talent development initiatives, outreach to radiologic technologist schools, and support for clinical staffing needs.
This collaboration represents a significant step toward more efficient, accessible, and high-quality healthcare across Northern California, benefiting both patients and clinicians alike through innovative technology and a commitment to continuous improvement in care delivery.
