CPMC Recognized Among Nation’s Top 200 Hospitals for Cancer Care as Sutter Expands Specialized Services in San Francisco

Sutter's CPMC has been named among the top 200 hospitals in the nation for cancer care by Newsweek in its 2026 America's Best Hospitals for Specialized Care rankings, placing CPMC at #151 nationally. The recognition comes as Sutter continues to expand and integrate specialized cancer services across San Francisco.

Over the past year, Sutter has launched a head and neck cancer surgery program at CPMC, expanded facial nerve services and infusion capacity, and introduced a neuro-oncology program for complex brain and nervous system tumors.

"These investments are part of a broader effort at Sutter Health to bring more specialized cancer care into one coordinated setting," said Rochelle Lonn, vice president of Sutter's Cancer Service Line. "We want to make it easier for patients to access treatment and for our care teams to work together to achieve high-quality outcomes."

CPMC's head and neck cancer surgery program, for example, brings together surgeons, oncologists and rehabilitation specialists who often treat the same patients, explains Dr. William Ryan, a nationally recognized head and neck oncologic surgeon and the program's director. This team-based model includes close collaboration with facial nerve experts who help patients maintain or regain critical functions like speaking, swallowing and facial movement after treatment.

"Patients with complex cancers are often navigating multiple specialists at once," said Elizabeth Armstrong, CEO of Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation - South. "Bringing teams together through closely connected services helps us more quickly respond more quickly as patients' needs change. The result is better care."

CPMC also recently launched its first neuro-oncology program, headed by Dr. Akanksha Sharma, for patients with tumors affecting the brain and nervous system. These cases frequently require highly coordinated care across disciplines. Treatment may involve neurosurgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology and ongoing symptom management, often over an extended period of time. The program also integrates support services such as nutrition, counseling and acupuncture, to provide care throughout every stage of patients' treatment and into recovery.

"At CPMC, which is a quaternary and tertiary receiving center, we are seeing more need for this kind of highly specialized, team-based approach," said CPMC CEO Hollie Seeley. "Our focus is on ensuring patients have access to the latest comprehensive, evidenced-based medicine that's both easy to navigate and delivered in a setting where they feel seen and supported as a whole person."

CPMC, with four campuses in San Francisco, is home to numerous cancer-focused clinical trials, where patients can tap into exclusive studies of novel tests, treatments and surgical approaches, says Selley. "We want to bring new solutions for cancer prevention and earlier diagnosis, and ultimately more hope for cures," she says.

Additionally, investigators at Sutter's CPMC publish cancer research and findings in the world's leading high-impact medical journals, including JAMA Oncology, The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. This work advances practice-changing knowledge that benefits patients and communities. Cancer specialists at CPMC also collaborate through the health system's tumor boards, where multidisciplinary teams review patient cases, explore clinical trial opportunities and incorporate the latest research to continually elevate patient care.

This Newsweek recognition reflects CPMC's continued investment in expanding access to advanced, specialized cancer care in San Francisco, says Lonn. "As Sutter continues to grow its oncology programs, the focus remains on integrating expertise, accelerating innovation and improving outcomes for patients across Northern California. We see these capabilities as differentiators and why patients choose us for complex cancer care."

Newsweek's annual ranking evaluates hospitals based on clinical quality metrics, patient experience data and input from healthcare professionals nationwide.