RAS, Sutter Health join to provide medical care and services for patients in greater Sacramento region

Sutter Health and Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) have agreed to join forces in providing diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology services across the greater Sacramento region.

Effective Feb. 1, 2014, Sutter Medical Foundation (SMF) will own and operate RAS's Radiation Oncology and Diagnostic Imaging services, and RAS shareholder physicians will join Sutter Medical Group (SMG). It is expected that Sutter Health will have a need for the services of the current RAS employees.

"This is an exciting time for health care in our region as two quality organizations with long histories embark on a new chapter together," said James Conforti, regional president of Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region. "Both Sutter and RAS believe it is always our duty to provide the most integrated, timely, accurate and high-quality medical care and service for patients. Our collaboration only strengthens that tradition."

"Joining our two organizations makes perfect sense from a clinical value and patient quality perspective," said Jonathan Breslau, M.D., FACR, RAS Medical Group president and chairman of the board. "We have united because of our similarities as organizations, our vision and our thought to giving patients greater access to care. Simply said, we can do more together for our patients."

Sutter Health and RAS will work collaboratively to ensure all patient care is seamlessly transitioned. The combined clinical workforce will be able to share best practices in caring for all patients from Auburn to Vacaville.

"Sutter Medical Group welcomes the addition of Radiological Associates of Sacramento's long-standing, respected community physicians," said Christine Griger, M.D., president and CEO of SMG. "This broadened team of clinicians will work collaboratively to provide patients with a comprehensive range of services on which we hope to expand in the future."

These services include diagnostic imaging (adult and pediatric), comprehensive women's imaging, PET and nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, interventional and neurointerventional radiology, and teleradiology services.

Source: Sutter Health