The Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center is poised to transform cancer care in the Oakland community and the larger East Bay region. This ambitious initiative results from a strategic partnership between Stanford Medicine and Sutter Health, driven by a shared vision to enhance patient access to high-quality cancer care.
“We have always had a vision and a hope of being able to provide care in the East Bay, and especially to patients who cannot access our services on the peninsula in a deliberate way,” said Maria Gonzalez, vice president of the Cancer Destination Service Line at Stanford Health Care.
Sutter Health and Stanford Medicine have joined forces to enhance the level of care in the community. This collaboration, built on a foundation of trust and strong community relationships, allows Stanford Medicine to extend its expertise in clinical trials and innovation to patients who may have otherwise not been able to leave the local region. This joint venture provides services and creates a unique identity, combining Stanford's cutting-edge innovations with Sutter's community-focused approach.
“In the current state, roughly half of East Bay patients leave their local market to receive cancer care. We’d like to provide a local destination for them to receive world-class care,” said Rondeep Brar, MD, clinical professor of medicine, hematology, Ann & John Doerr medical director of the Stanford Cancer Center and associate director for Clinical Care at the Stanford Cancer Institute.
A key strength of Stanford’s cancer network lies in its ability to provide locally accessible, preeminent cancer care. Clinical research is conducted at the Palo Alto, San Jose, and Emeryville locations. This interconnected network allows physicians across all sites to access central tumor boards and treatment pathways, facilitating rapid communication with world-renowned disease experts.
“I believe patients find great comfort in knowing that behind everyone they meet in our Stanford network, there is an army of specialists solely dedicated to cancer care,” Brar said.
Engaging with communities for lasting impact
Expanding the network is integral to Stanford’s mission of enhancing outcomes for the communities it serves. Having meaningful engagement with local communities beyond clinical care is essential for understanding their unique needs and historic challenges. In the East Bay, Stanford Medicine has been actively collaborating with community leaders, faith-based organizations, and clinics to identify areas where they can make the greatest impact.
The goal is to treat patients during times of illness and to build stronger, healthier, and more empowered communities over time. By expanding its footprint and scope, Stanford Medicine aims to enhance its impact, empower the communities it serves, and contribute to the global advancement of cancer care.
As the Stanford Cancer network grows, it remains committed to its mission of providing high-quality, accessible cancer care. In addition to expanding services to patients, the collaboration between Stanford Medicine and Sutter Health transforms the landscape of cancer care and ensures that patients receive the support they need within their communities.
“It goes back to honoring our mission. We have to serve our patients the way they need to be served and that comes down to bringing care to the communities they live in,” Gonzalez said.
By Kai Zheng
May 2025
