Warner Thomas Recognized as Press Ganey’s HX26 CEO of the Year

Award honors a visionary healthcare leader driving access, culture and community-centered care

NORTHERN CALIF. - Press Ganey, the leading provider of experience measurement, data analytics and AI-powered insights to health systems and health plans, today announced that Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health, has been named the HX26 CEO of the Year.

The CEO of the Year award celebrates chief executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and a sustained commitment to improving the experience of patients, care teams and communities. Thomas accepted the award at Press Ganey's HX26 conference in Orlando.

"The momentum and progress we're creating at Sutter Health is the result of one unified team," said Thomas. "I'm deeply proud of the way our executive team, leaders, employees, and medical group and community physicians have pulled together to support one another and advance our mission. Through our shared commitment to quality, innovation and access, we're changing and saving more lives for the communities we serve."

Since joining Sutter Health in 2022, Thomas has led a period of significant transformation at the organization - one of the country's largest integrated, not-for-profit health systems that serves nearly 3.6 million patients annually.

Access Enhanced

Under Thomas' leadership, Sutter Health has made a multi-year commitment to expand health care services and improve patient access to innovative, high-quality care. His bold strategic vision has helped open doors to new and enhanced care locations, as well as digital front doors to seamless, tech-based care support for patients. In 2025 alone, Sutter's efforts helped welcome 100,000 new patients and open 22 new care centers across Northern California. Sutter also launched or expanded digital-first care programs such as Sutter Sync and a Virtual Pharmacy Ambulatory Care Clinic designed to support patients with chronic health conditions - the leading cause of illness, disability and death in the U.S. Enhanced physician recruitment have been a critical element to helping broaden access. More than 2,800 physicians were hired to care for patients within the Sutter system since Thomas' arrival, with 1,100 alone in 2025, strengthening care teams and expanding access.

Workforce Multipliers

Thomas' leadership reflects a belief that a multifaceted approach toward clinician shortages is essential to bridging healthcare gaps. He has prioritized graduate medical education programs and academic partnerships that expand pathways for the next generation of caregivers. Sutter has made major progress toward quadrupling its graduate medical education program to address physician shortages, with a 100% match rate for residency slots.

Enhanced workforce development and education efforts have also laid the foundation for Sutter as the best place to give and receive care and build a career. Data shows how these efforts have helped achieve record employee engagement and experience of work survey scores. The most recent survey showed 86% of employees would recommend Sutter Health as a good place to work - a 10-point rise since 2022, putting Sutter in the 86^th percentile nationwide. Turnover rates are also well below industry averages. Sutter currently employs approximately 62,000 people to help meet the growing demand for care and services. Specifically, more than 7,700 nurses have been hired since 2023.

Culture Activated

Across the organization, Thomas is known for his energy and approachability. From early in his tenure as CEO, Thomas engaged deeply with frontline teams, nurses, physicians and community leaders, grounding his leadership approach in listening and shared accountability. He's championed culture work rooted in curiosity and purpose. This approach is most evident at Sutter's "Power of One" forums, large-scale gatherings that bring thousands of employees together to reconnect with intention and impact.

"Warner Thomas leads with steadiness and credibility, especially in moments of complexity and change," said Patrick T. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. "At Sutter Health, he has built trust by showing up consistently, setting clear priorities and following through on them. His leadership and vision have strengthened how the organization serves patients, supports its workforce and engages its communities. Warner's impact has created alignment and momentum across an entire system."