Stronger Together: Sansum Clinic and Sutter Health Unite to Elevate Patient Care

More than 100 years ago, two medical clinics in Santa Barbara were taking shape, both grounded in the ethos that group practice with a variety of specialties was the best way to provide high quality healthcare accessible to all. Some 80 years later after decades of growth, the two groups joined forces and adopted the name Sansum Clinic, a nod to Dr. William Sansum, the first U.S. physician to both develop and administer insulin for diabetes. 

To this day, that same commitment endures, especially following Sansum Clinic’s integration with Sutter Health in 2023, which allowed the nonprofit organization to expand its healthcare services. Today, Sansum Clinic (now a part of Sutter Health) boasts more than 260 clinicians, and these care for some 160,000 patients a year across 23 Central California locations. 

As Dr. Kurt Ransohoff, market president of Sutter Health’s Greater Central Coast, says about the partnership, “It’s given us the ability to do things that we were unable to do before. Sansum Clinic has a long history of offering the same level of medical care in Santa Barbara that you would find at a large academic center, without having to drive hours to a big city. With Sutter, we are building on this legacy, investing in more doctors, new spaces and advanced technologies to expand our services and serve more patients than ever before.” 

Dr. Ransohoff joined Sansum Clinic in 1992 to practice internal medicine and then held the title of CEO for more than 20 years. For him, and many others, having access to quality healthcare is priceless. “My healthcare needs, like many others in the communities we serve, will increase as I get older,” says Ransohoff, who is content knowing that he can get the best medical care right here in Santa Barbara.

Expanding Access & Services

Dr. Marjorie Newman, chief medical officer of Sansum Medical Group Santa Barbara, agrees: “It’s truly a labor of love and a privilege to help ensure that the members of our families and our communities have a primary care clinician who feels like their healthcare partner and can serve them across the whole spectrum of care from pediatrics to geriatrics.”

One of the most transformative outcomes of this partnership was Sutter’s ability to provide care faster. Before joining Sutter Health, patients in Santa Barbara County frequently struggled to obtain timely primary care appointments, often waiting weeks or months to see a physician. This stemmed in part from a national, state and local shortage of physicians.

“I’ve been here for 25 years,” says Newman, “and one of the biggest refrains that I would hear is that yes, Sansum is great, the care is great, but it’s hard to get an appointment.” 

Luckily at Sansum, that’s no longer the case. Since their acquisition by Sutter Health, the Clinic has expanded weekday hours for primary care appointments and added weekend hours. “We are excited to get the word out and let our community know that we do have access,” explains Dr. Jeffrey Hadsall, an internal medicine physician and president of Sansum Medical Group Santa Barbara. “That’s our mission. Patients first, people always; that’s why we’re all here.” Hadsall spearheaded the effort to increase patient access to care through expanded hours; an idea that is moving the access needle. Dr.Hadsall added Saturdays to his own schedule to lead the effort.

In addition to adding hours, the hiring of more than 50 new clinicians, including many new internists, family practitioners, and advanced practice clinicians, was the catalyst for the expanded primary care access and the 50% reduction in wait times for new appointments. Sutter also attracted doctors in specialties the Clinic has never had, like reconstructive surgery, urogynecology and Mohs surgery for skin cancer. 

Dr. Ransohoff notes Sutter’s resources and reputation are greatly appealing to doctors looking for a work home, and that having a strong employer like Sutter in the community translates into an enhanced, long-term ability to recruit and attract top talent. “There are a lot of folks in this community who retire here and come here expecting world-class care,” says Dr. Ransohoff. “Our goal is to deliver it, and I believe we’re delivering on that promise, by virtue of who we’ve been able to attract to the community.”

The partnership has not only enabled the clinic to leverage the resources of physicians and advanced practice clinicians but also introduce advanced technology that was previously unavailable. 

In February, Sansum Clinic’s Foothill Surgery Center became one of the country’s first outpatient centers to acquire a da Vinci 5® Robotic Surgical System – a human-directed precision surgical interface – raising the bar for minimally invasive surgical care in the community. The $3 million investment achieved with help from Sutter Health and community supporters gives patients greater access to surgical options outside the hospital setting. This can often result in less pain, shorter recovery times, improved outcomes and a faster return to daily activities. 

A Healthier Future

While Sutter’s resources have played a role in enhancing care locally, as a nonprofit, the organization’s Greater Central Coast continues to rely on local support. Philanthropy has historically enabled the clinic to undertake significant community initiatives like the acquisition of advanced technologies, COVID-19 vaccination and testing, flu clinics, patient assistance and education programs, Camp Wheez for children with asthma, construction of new facilities like Ridley-Tree Cancer Center and Foothill Surgery Center, and housing assistance for new doctors managing medical school debt.

“We are fortunate to live in a community where patients value having high-quality healthcare. Philanthropic support has allowed us to improve on and expand on what we offer in tremendous ways. Our relationship with Sutter allows us to dream even bigger,” says Dr. Ransohoff.

Dr. Ransohoff and Dr. Newman share excitement about the future of healthcare in Santa Barbara, focusing on keeping care local, expanding services, and leveraging Sutter’s resources for the benefit of the Santa Barbara community. 

“There is tremendous value from being connected to Sutter,” explains Dr. Newman. “Patients benefit when you can tap into resources, share best practices and expertise. It’s really quite phenomenal.”

As Dr. Ransohoff puts it, “Sutter Health understands the value of local healthcare. And it’s rewarding to think together we’re building something that makes people feel comfortable and confident knowing that, whatever happens, they will be able to get great care where they live.”  

If you would like to establish care with a Sutter Health primary care clinician, visit 
www.sutterhealth.org/welcomesansum