More than 500 swimmers, volunteers and supporters expected

Over $7 million raised by Bay Area Swim to support pediatric cancer research and survivorship programs at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals

By Jenifer Howard, Swim Across America – San Francisco

Swim Across America, the national nonprofit organization that makes waves to fight cancer through charity swims across the U.S., will host the 21st annual Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay Area Open Water Swim on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The iconic 1.5-mile point-to-point swim starts at Little Marina Green, 3650 Yacht Road, in San Francisco, and finishes in Aquatic Park. Swimmers, volunteers and kayakers are invited to participate and help raise funds for pediatric cancer research and patient care supporting the swim’s beneficiary UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in Oakland and San Francisco. Those who cannot participate in person can still make waves to fight cancer through SAA My Way, Swim Across America’s virtual option. To register, volunteer or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/sanfrancisco.

Established in 2006, Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay Area has granted more than $7 million to support the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ Oakland Research Institute and the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco Survivors of Childhood Cancer Program. Each year, the charity swim brings together more than 500 swimmers, volunteers, spectators and supporters, along with Olympians and other special guests, for one of the Bay Area’s most memorable open water events.

“For 20 years, this community has shown what can happen when individuals take something they love — swimming — and turn it into a way to help families facing cancer,” said Laura Hovden, co-event director of Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay Area. “More than $7 million has gone directly to our local UCSF programs because swimmers, volunteers, kayakers, donors and teams keep showing up year after year. Our swim is about coming together, making waves and giving patients more hope and researchers more funds to make a difference.”

Few embody that commitment more than longtime swimmer, former San Francisco event director and three-time cancer survivor Susan Helmrich, captain of Team Susan Survives and one of this year’s leading fundraisers.

This year marks 49 years since Susan Helmrich’s first cancer diagnosis. She was just 21 years old when she was treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Her second cancer diagnosis came 28 years ago. In 2009, she faced cancer for a third time and underwent a 6½-hour Whipple procedure for neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer, followed by 23 days at Stanford Hospital.

Through it all, Susan has made raising money for cancer research a central part of her life. Throughout the years, Team Susan Survives has raised more than $1 million for local pediatric cancer research programs. As Susan approaches her 71st birthday, she has set an ambitious goal for this year: recruit 71 swimmers, kayakers, runners, cyclists, yogis, dancers, hikers, walkers and other supporters to Team Susan Survives and together raise $171,000 through the open water swim and SAA My Way.

“I am honored and proud to have survived cancer three times, and I want nothing more than to have anyone who ever gets a cancer diagnosis have the chance to live and survive as I have,” Susan said. “As the years go on, I realize that I am committed more than ever to raising money to help investigators, researchers, physicians and support services find a cure for cancer in our lifetime.”

Susan Helmrich is also swimming in memory of her mother, Edna Helmrich, who passed away in 2019 at age 92 and was herself a 53-year breast cancer survivor.

“She was my role model and my hero,” Susan said. “This year, I’m hoping that friends, old and new, from near and far will join me and Team Susan Survives to raise money for pediatric cancer research at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland.”

Another team entering the San Francisco Bay this year will be carrying the memory of someone deeply loved.

Team Batt Bunch, also known as KeckCrewSF, is captained by Mike Keck and will swim in honor and memory of Brian Batt, husband of Rene and father of swimmers Amelia and Sarah Batt. The team has participated in Swim Across America for many years, but its fight against cancer became profoundly personal when Brian was diagnosed with cancer.

Even while undergoing treatment, Brian remained determined to be there for his daughters. He scheduled his treatment so he could travel to England when Amelia and Sarah participated in an English Channel relay in 2022, where Amelia had the honor of touching France for the team, and again for their Loch Lomond swim in 2024. During treatment, Brian continued showing up at Aquatic Park to cheer the girls on during their training swims. Brian succumbed to cancer in the fall of 2025.

“Brian fought with strength, courage and dignity, and he kept showing up for his family through all of it,” Mike Keck said. “For years, we swam with Swim Across America to fight cancer. Then that fight became very real for our family and our team. Brian is missed terribly, but we will carry on just like he did, and we hope what we do can help spare other families from experiencing that same loss.”

The money raised by swimmers such as Helmrich, Keck and their teammates is already helping scientists at UCSF pursue promising new approaches to pediatric cancer.

Julie Saba, M.D., Ph.D., a UCSF pediatric oncologist, cancer researcher and director of the Swim Across America-supported research laboratory at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, leads research examining the genetic and metabolic drivers of childhood cancers. Her research team has identified important genetic drivers of neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, and has shown that disrupting the gene’s activity can prevent neuroblastoma cells from forming tumors. This research could ultimately offer a new avenue for targeting cancers in which the AF1q gene plays a role. Swim Across America funding helped support this work.

Saba also leads the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Swimmers, now in its eighth year participating in the San Francisco event.

“Without Swim Across America, I could not undertake the high-risk, high-reward studies that we believe hold benefit for the children and adults with cancer of tomorrow,” Saba said. “Nonprofit support of research is more important than ever.”

For Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay Area Co-Event Director Jackie NeJaime, the connection between the swimmers and researchers is what makes the event especially powerful.

“Our swimmers get to see exactly why their fundraising matters,” Jackie said. “Researchers like Dr. Saba are pursuing ideas that might otherwise struggle to get early funding, while our survivorship programs are helping young people long after their cancer treatment ends. When we swim from Little Marina Green to Aquatic Park, we know where the money is going and the impact this community is helping make.”

The event is also inspiring a new generation of swimmers to get involved.

Friends of Armada, captained by Julie Herson, returns for its third year with youth competitive swimmers from Albany Armada Aquatics Club. The team has already raised more than $17,000 during its involvement with Swim Across America and is working to raise even more this year for UCSF patients, physicians and researchers.

Also returning is UCSF Team Newborn, captained by Tom Shimotake, M.D., which will mark its 15th year participating in the San Francisco Bay swim. The team is made up of friends and supporters of the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Intensive Care Nursery who share a commitment to fighting childhood cancer. Nearly one-quarter of pediatric malignancies are diagnosed during the first year of life, giving the team’s mission a particularly close connection to the patients its members serve.

Among the San Francisco community’s other leading fundraisers this year is Berkeley marathon swimmer Maya Merhige, who completed both the North Channel and Strait of Gibraltar this summer as part of her quest to complete the Oceans Seven. Merhige will be away at college on the day of the San Francisco swim but continues to raise funds for Swim Across America and its cancer research mission.

From cancer survivors to families swimming in memory of loved ones, young competitive swimmers and UCSF physicians and researchers, the September 12 swim will bring together hundreds with a shared goal: using the waters of San Francisco Bay to help create better outcomes for people facing cancer.

“Whether this is your first open water swim or you’ve been swimming in the Bay for decades, there is a place for you in this community,” Laura Hovden noted. “Swim, kayak, volunteer, create your own SAA My Way activity or support someone who is participating. Every person can help us make waves to fight cancer.”

Nationally, Swim Across America has raised more than $150 million for cancer research since its founding in 1987 and has helped fund clinical trials that contributed to the FDA-approved cancer immunotherapy medications Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq. In the past year, Swim Across America funded a breakthrough clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that showed that immunotherapy alone could successfully treat certain types of cancer. The organization also recently awarded two first-of-its-kind gene editing innovation grants to the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, advancing novel CRISPR gene and base editing techniques used in targeted therapies, immunotherapies and cellular therapies. Swim Across America supports more than 60 cancer research projects annually, has eight named Swim Across America labs, and supports work at many of the nation’s leading cancer institutions.

For more information, to join as a swimmer, volunteer or kayaker, or to participate virtually or donate to Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay Area, visit swimacrossamerica.org/sanfrancisco.

Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With open water and pool swims in 27 communities across the United States – from Nantucket to under the Golden Gate Bridge – Swim Across America, along with the help of thousands of swimmers and volunteers nationwide, and past and current Olympians, is helping find better treatments and a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more, visit swimacrossamerica.org.

Community celebration September 23rd

By Jaden Baird, PIO, City of Antioch

ANTIOCH, CA — The City of Antioch and BAART Programs Antioch have launched a new partnership aimed at expanding access to opioid treatment and recovery services while addressing community concerns related to safety and quality-of-life conditions surrounding the Bay Area Addiction Recovery Treatment (BAART) Programs Antioch facility on Sunset Lane.

According to MethadoneCenters.com, “BAART Programs Antioch is…considered one of the most reliable methadone clinics in California. What is special about this clinic is that it offers evidence-based approaches, backed by medication-assisted treatment services when it comes to battling opioid disorders. The staff at this clinic believes that supporting patients is of utmost importance because they need as many helpful resources around them as possible in order for a successful recovery process to occur, not only of their family and friends, but also doctors, nurses and psychologists. The main medication is methadone which is given orally. Methadone relieves patients of pain and speeds up their recovery. The goal is to help patients achieve a full recovery so they can continue their everyday lives.”

Supported by opioid settlement funds, the partnership will expand weekend treatment access and provide patient navigation and financial assistance for uninsured and underinsured Antioch residents. The partnership will also strengthen referrals from the City’s Angelo Quinto Community Response Team (AQCRT) and provide additional security during expanded service hours.

The coordinated effort is designed to connect more residents with treatment and recovery resources while promoting a safer and better-supported environment for patients, neighboring businesses and the surrounding community.

“Our community has raised concerns, and we have listened,” said Alicia Espinoza, Public Safety Manager for the City of Antioch’s Community Services Department. “This partnership is about moving from concerns to solutions — connecting people to treatment while strengthening safety, accountability and quality of life for the surrounding community.” 

History & Challenges

Before the BAART Programs Antioch facility opened in the late 1990’s, the Antioch City Council worked to find the organization another location in the city that wasn’t adjacent to a residential neighborhood. The City spent approximately $850,000 in a legal battle but lost because the location is zoned for medical uses.

Since then, there have been challenges including shoplifting in the nearby shopping center where Raley’s was located believed to be associated with the facility’s clientele.

“BAART Programs is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care while being a responsible community partner,” said Tracy Hern, Treatment Center Director for BAART Programs Antioch. “We appreciate the City of Antioch’s collaboration and shared commitment to increasing access to treatment, supporting recovery and creating positive outcomes for residents.” 

The partnership builds upon operational improvements and community engagement efforts undertaken by BAART Programs Antioch over the past year under new local leadership. The agreement establishes expanded services along with performance and reporting expectations to help ensure accountability and measure progress. 

Community Partnership Celebration

The City of Antioch and BAART Programs will commemorate the partnership with a community event:

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 2:00 p.m.

BAART Programs Antioch – 3707 Sunset Lane

The event will bring together City leadership, BAART Programs, Public Safety and Community Resources/AQCRT representatives, neighboring businesses, community partners and residents. The program will include brief remarks, refreshments, community resources and a ceremonial recognition of the partnership.

About BAART Programs

BAART Programs provides evidence-based treatment and recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorder. Through medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and care coordination, BAART helps individuals achieve lasting recovery while promoting healthier communities. BAART Programs is part of BayMark Health Services, a national leader in addiction treatment and recovery services.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Monique Binkley Smith, Manager, Media Relations, Sutter Health 

ANTIOCH, Calif., (August 18, 2026) Sutter Health has named Rick Moreland, MBA, as chief executive officer of Sutter Delta Medical Center, effective Aug. 24.

In this role, Moreland will report directly to Christina Oh, president of Sutter Health’s Greater San Francisco and East Bay Division, and will serve as dyad partner to Harish Rengarajan, M.D., chief medical executive of Sutter Delta Medical Center, who joined the hospital in February.

“Rick is a proven healthcare leader with deep operational expertise and a strong commitment to quality, access and patient-centered care,” said Oh. “Over the past year, he has provided steady leadership during a period of transition while helping advance key organizational priorities, strengthen performance and support our physicians, caregivers and staff. I am confident Rick will build on Sutter Delta’s strong foundation and continue delivering exceptional care to the East Contra Costa County communities we serve.”

Moreland brings more than two decades of healthcare leadership experience across acute care hospitals, ambulatory services, service line operations and healthcare transformation. He most recently served as interim chief executive officer and executive of operations at Sutter Delta Medical Center, where he provided executive leadership during a period of organizational transition while maintaining a strong focus on quality, patient access, workforce engagement and financial stewardship.

Under Moreland’s leadership, Sutter Delta maintained its Leapfrog “A” Hospital Safety Grade, achieved American College of Cardiology accreditation and advanced operational performance through improvements in patient throughput and organizational execution.

Prior to joining Sutter Health in 2025, Moreland served as executive of operations for perioperative and surgical services at the University of Vermont Medical Center and Children’s Hospital, where he oversaw operations across Vermont’s largest academic health system.

His previous leadership roles include chief operating officer at Dignity Health’s Mercy Medical Center in Merced, Calif., where he led operations across a multi-campus medical center, rural health clinics, a cancer center and ambulatory surgery services. He also held leadership positions at Adventist Health Rideout and Stanford Health Care, where he helped launch innovative cardiovascular and surgical programs and led major service line growth initiatives.

Moreland holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Capella University and a bachelor’s degree in community studies from Humphreys University.

About Sutter Health

Sutter Health is a not-for-profit healthcare system dedicated to providing comprehensive care throughout California. Guided by a commitment to advancing innovative patient care, healthy outcomes and community partnerships, Sutter is pursuing a bold plan to reach more people and make excellent healthcare more connected, accessible and personalized.

Today, its dedicated team of more than 64,000 employees and clinicians and 15,000+ affiliated physicians care for more than 3.6 million patients and are united by a shared focus on expanding care to serve more

patients. Sutter delivers exceptional and affordable care through its hospitals, medical groups, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care clinics, telehealth, home health and hospice services.

Recognized nationally for its workplace culture, Sutter Health has been named to Modern Healthcare’s 2026 Best Places to Work in Healthcare list and Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2026. Learn more about how Sutter Health is transforming care at sutterhealth.org and vitals.sutterhealth.org.

By Trish Heaney, Marketing and Communications Manager, Steve Spraitzar, Public Relations, and Tyler McCarthy, Outreach Associate, White Pony Express

ANTIOCH, Calif. – White Pony Express (WPE) and Kaiser Permanente partnered to hold a Drive-Thru Giveaway Saturday on August 1, 2026, at Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center, distributing groceries and essential goods to 200 local families while marking a milestone of 32 million meals rescued and delivered to Contra Costa County residents since WPE’s founding.

Families were connected to the event through 20 Antioch-based nonprofit partners served by WPE. Each family received two bags of fresh groceries along with hygiene kits, toys, children’s books, and treats. In total, WPE distributed 5,075 pounds of groceries and more than 2,500 hygiene and beauty kits and children’s gifts.

“Extraordinary things are possible when we commit to the shared belief that every one of us belongs to one human family and when one person thrives, we all thrive,” said White Pony Express CEO Eve Birge. “This drive-thru is more than a giveaway — it’s a celebration of a community showing up for itself, with love at the center.”

Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, who attended the event, pointed to White Pony Express’s outsized role in the city.

“I didn’t realize Antioch gets the most food from White Pony Express out of the whole county,” Bernal said. “This is a great way to address not just food insecurity but having quality food for people — because that’s really the missing element.”

Antioch Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker, a longtime WPE community partner, echoed that sentiment.

“White Pony Express has always showed up and showed out and made sure our families had what they needed,” Walker said. “You bring White Pony Express together with Kaiser Permanente, you get two organizations that are caring for people in very practical ways to make sure their families are healthy.”

Events like the August 1st giveaway come as food insecurity continues to climb across Contra Costa County driven by CalFresh cuts, rising grocery and housing costs, and stagnant wages.

White Pony Express was founded on the idea that hunger is not caused by a lack of food, but by a failure to connect existing surplus with the people who need it. Each day, WPE’s staff and 2,000+ volunteers rescue fresh food and essential goods from local grocers, farms, and businesses and deliver it within 24 hours to families across the county — a model that allows the organization to scale and respond quickly as hunger grows more widespread.

About White Pony Express

White Pony Express is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner on a simple, radical belief: hunger is not a scarcity problem, it’s a logistics problem. Our mission is to end hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance already all around us to our neighbors in need — with love. Every day, WPE’s staff and 2,000+ volunteers rescue fresh, healthy food and essential goods from local grocers, farms, and businesses, redistributing it within 24 hours to families across Contra Costa County. To date, we’ve recovered and delivered more than 38 million pounds of food through partnerships with 140+ nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations, guided by the mantra “all of us taking care of all of us”.

Including Antioch resident, an LMC student

By Elissa Harrington, Senior Media Relations & Public Relations Representative, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Stephanie Ponce, an Antioch resident and student at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, spent her summer interning at the Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center. 

She applied for the eight-week paid summer internship program, earning $25.09-$29.16 per hour, after taking a college course that piqued her interest in medicine.

“This is an amazing opportunity to see if health care is for you,” said Ponce. “There are many jobs in health care that aren’t just working with patients, but also administrative roles.”

Ponce is one of more than 300 interns who participated in Kaiser Permanente’s KP LAUNCH program. The paid internship gives high school and college aged students exposure to careers in health care at Kaiser Permanente hospitals and medical offices. They learn practical skills and receive mentoring from health care professionals.

Ponce said she did administrative work and had the chance to shadow pediatric nurses. She watched one nurse help a child who was scared to get a shot. “I saw how she comforted the patient during a shot. She stayed there, talked to them, and explained what the medication was and how it was going to work.”

Jessica Chambers is a Program Coordinator for the KP LAUNCH program at the Antioch Medical Center. She helped with scheduling and coordinated with the departments on how to provide opportunities for the interns to learn and grow.

“We educated the interns on a variety of different topics,” said Chambers. “We have different people who come out and tell them a little bit about their departments or their jobs.”

Chambers said it was important to keep the interns engaged every day and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills. “We gave the interns an opportunity to see what it looks like in real life. We also had a variety of different guest speakers, because every journey is not the same,” she said.

Ponce said she has always loved helping people, and this internship confirmed she’s on the right career path: “It reinforced my love for health care and doing a people-facing job like this.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Adopts AI-powered weapons detection at medical facilities ahead of state law compliance deadline

By Kristen Aikey, JMG Public Relations

Toronto, ON –Xtract One Technologies (TSX: XTRA)(OTCQX: XTRAF)(FRA: 0PL) (“Xtract One” or the “Company”) announced recently multiple SmartGateway deployments across California healthcare facilities, reflecting growing demand from health systems across the state ahead of the March 2027 compliance deadline for California Assembly Bill 2975. Deployments are underway at Contra Costa Health in Martinez and Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, with expected completion by mid-August, in addition to the previous San Mateo Health deployment.

AB 2975 requires hospitals across California to implement enhanced security measures at high-traffic public entrances by March, 2027. The mandate reflects a broader recognition among healthcare administrators and state regulators that emergency departments and other public-facing hospital entrances require dedicated screening to protect staff and patients from weapons-related violence.

“California health systems are making real procurement decisions right now, and the facilities selecting Xtract One are doing so because the technology fits the environment,” said Peter Evans, CEO of Xtract One. “SmartGateway was built for high patient and visitor volumes, diverse populations, and clinical staff who need to focus on care. What we’re seeing across Hazel Hawkins, Contra Costa Health, and San Mateo – and more broadly with healthcare systems in general – is that once an organization sees accurate, high-throughput detection running in a real hospital environment, expanding the solution across the facility becomes an obvious next step.”

Xtract One’s presence in California healthcare predates the AB 2975 mandate. San Mateo Medical Center deployed SmartGateway at its main campus in 2025 following extensive testing of available solutions, with plans to expand to all satellite clinics. The Contra Costa Health deployments build on that established footprint as health systems across the state accelerate their procurement timelines ahead of the March 2027 deadline.

Xtract One’s SmartGateway is designed specifically for high-throughput environments with lower volumes of personal belongings. The system identifies concealed guns and knives while allowing individuals to walk through at a natural pace without divesting personal items, distinguishing it from traditional walk-through metal detectors that alert broadly on any metal object. For healthcare environments where speed and accessibility are

Contra Costa Health, Martinez, CA

Contra Costa Health has also selected three SmartGateway systems for deployment across its main entrance, emergency department, and psychiatric entrance in the primary hospital facility. The deployment is driven by a clear security mandate of detecting and intercepting firearms and bladed weapons before they reach clinical environments. Contra Costa Health has prioritized detection accuracy above all other operational considerations, implementing a bag check protocol alongside SmartGateway screening at its main entrance to ensure the most thorough possible security posture across all three entry points.

To learn more, visit www.xtractone.com.

About Xtract One

Xtract One Technologies is a leading technology-driven provider of threat detection and security solutions leveraging AI to deliver seamless and secure experiences. The Company makes unobtrusive weapons and threat detection systems that are designed to assist facility operators in prioritizing- and delivering improved “Walk-right-In” experiences while enhancing safety. Xtract One’s innovative portfolio of AI-powered Gateway solutions excels at allowing facilities to discreetly screen and identify weapons and other threats at points of entry and exit without disrupting the flow of traffic. With solutions built to serve the unique market needs for schools, hospitals, arenas, stadiums, manufacturing, distribution, and other customers, Xtract One is recognized as a market leader delivering the highest security in combination with the best individual experience. For more information, visit www.xtractone.com or connect on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

About Contra Costa Health

Contra Costa Health is the integrated public health system serving Contra Costa County. The system operates a network of hospitals, clinics and public health programs serving hundreds of thousands of residents across the county, with a focus on accessible care for all community members regardless of ability to pay. For more information, visit www.cchealth.org.

About Threat Detection Systems

Xtract One solutions, when properly configured, deployed, and utilized, are designed to help enhance safety and reduce threats. Given the wide range of potential threats in today’s world, no threat detection system is 100% effective. Xtract One solutions should be utilized as one element in a multilayered approach to physical security.

Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance and customer contracts, are “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks detailed from time to time in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company has no obligation to update any forward looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law

U.S. News & World Report’s annual study rates Kaiser hospitals among nation’s best for providing high-quality, specialized care

Antioch ranked Best Regional Hospital and among best in state

By Elissa Harrington, Senior Media Relations & Public Relations Representative, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

OAKLAND, CA – Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s hospitals are nationally recognized as “high performing” for treating complex medical conditions and procedures including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and stroke.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals annual study rates Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals as among the top 30% of hospitals in the nation for at least one of the 37 measures evaluated.

Approximately 4,500 hospitals participated in the study, which analyzes performance in 14 specialty care areas and 23 procedures and conditions. The “high performing” designation honors those hospitals that deliver high-quality care when treating complex medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, colorectal cancer surgery, stroke, and diabetes.

Kaiser Permanente hospitals are consistently recognized as among the top hospitals in the nation for providing high-quality, safe patient care that leads to improved health outcomes.

“Kaiser Permanente continues to be a national leader in preventing disease, providing world-class treatment, and using evidence-based research to help our patients and members live longer and healthy lives,” said Mike Bowers, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Our clinicians and staff are delivering exceptional care to our patients every day getting them the right care when they need it.”

Top hospitals in California

Eight Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are designated by U.S. News & World Report as “Best Regional Hospitals” and are ranked among the best in the state: Antioch, Richmond, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, Roseville and South Sacramento.

Three Kaiser Permanente hospitals are also ranked among the top 50 in the nation for providing high-quality specialty care:

• San Francisco is ranked 34th for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
• Santa Clara is ranked 42nd for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
• Vallejo is ranked 45th for rehabilitation

Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa is also rated high-performing nationally for its geriatric care.

“Everything we do is centered around making sure our patients receive high-quality and high-value care,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “This recognition underscores the strength of our integrated model and the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and care teams, who provide compassionate, evidence-based care for our members and patients every day.”

In its hospital analysis, U.S. News & World Report uses publicly available data such as volume, mortality rates, infection rates, staffing levels, and patient satisfaction rates, among other factors. 

The annual ratings and rankings are designed to help patients make informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

About Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

Advice from pediatric experts across Sutter Health on helping children and teens thrive this school year.

By Monique Binkley-Smith, Manager, Media Relations, Sutter Health 

The countdown to a new school year has begun. For many families, that means shopping for supplies, filling out forms and preparing for busy schedules. It’s also the perfect time to reset healthy habits.

Pediatricians across Sutter Health share 11 back-to-school tips to help children and teens stay healthy, focused and ready to learn.

1. Start adjusting sleep schedules now

One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until the night before school starts to reset bedtime.

“As the school year approaches, it’s time to start adjusting your sleep routine,” says Dr. Dan Brennan, Greater Central Coast Children’s Service Line medical director with Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Group in Santa Barbara. “In the weeks leading up to the start of school, start moving bedtime up by 15 minutes a night until you get to the expected school-year bedtime.”

2. Know how much sleep children really need

Adequate sleep helps regulate metabolism, maintain a healthy weight, promote positive mood and behavior, and support memory retention and mental alertness needed for academic success, says Dr. Jessica Tsai, with Sutter East Bay Medical Group in Antioch.

Dr. Rakhi Mehrotra, with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Livermore, also recommends helping kids and teens stay on track by keeping the same bedtime and wake-up time every day, including weekends.

Drs. Tsai and Mehrotra recommend the following hours of sleep by age:

• Preschoolers: 10-13 hours daily, including naps

• Children age 6-12: 9-12 hours nightly

• Teens: 8-10 hours nightly

3. Fuel kids for learning and growth

Healthy eating habits help children get the nutrients they need for energy, growth, focus and overall well-being, according to Dr. Mehrotra.

She recommends:

• Starting the day with breakfast

• Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy each day

• Choosing colorful fruits and vegetables throughout the week

• Filling half the plate with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with whole grains and one-quarter with healthy protein

• Choosing healthy snacks such as fruit, yogurt, nuts, vegetables and whole-grain options

4. Make water the beverage of choice

Hydration becomes especially important as children spend more time outdoors and return to sports.

“With kids outside more, we want to encourage families to provide as much hydration as possible, water being our first choice,” explains Dr. Brennan.

Sugary and caffeinated beverages should be avoided. Caffeinated beverages work against hydration and generally lead to more dehydration, he notes.

5. Encourage kids to get moving

Physical activity supports both physical and mental health.

“Whether it’s organized sports, riding bikes, walking the dog or playing at the park, daily physical activity supports both physical and mental health,” says Dr. David Tejeda, with Sutter West Bay Medical Group in San Francisco.

For children interested in organized athletics, Dr. Brennan suggests recreational sports leagues and individual activities such as swimming, running, biking, gymnastics, and rock climbing.

6. Avoid specializing in one sport too soon

Playing the same sport year-round may sound like a path to success, but pediatricians often see the downside.

“I discourage my pediatric patients from specializing in one sport too early,” emphasizes Dr. Brennan. “High-level athletes benefit from cross training that comes with playing a variety of sports.”

He notes that children who play one sport year-round can develop chronic overuse injuries.

7. Prepare young athletes before the season begins

As children return to practices, tryouts and games, Dr. Anita Juvvadi, with Sutter West Bay Medical Group in San Francisco, encourages families to focus on the basics:

• Increase activity gradually before organized practices begin

• Stay hydrated throughout the day

• Prioritize consistent sleep

• Eat enough to support increased activity

“The body needs time to acclimate to new movement and sustained activity,” she says.

8. Warm up the right way

Before sports and physical activity, Dr. Liang Xue, with Sutter East Bay Medical Group in Brentwood, recommends active, dynamic warm-ups rather than static stretching.

Dynamic warm-ups use movements such as jogging, skipping, lunges and arm circles to increase blood flow, raise body temperature and prepare muscles and joints for activity.

In contrast, holding static stretches before exercise may temporarily reduce strength and power. Saving static stretching for after activity, when muscles are warm, can help improve flexibility and support recovery.

9. Protect growing bodies and brains

Protective gear matters, according to Dr. Brennan.

“A helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter can protect that precious brain, and don’t forget to buckle the helmet,” he advises.

He also cautions parents about e-bikes and electric scooters, which account for a growing number of serious injuries, emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

“When possible, skip the electric version and stick to good old-fashioned pedaling,” he says.

10. Know the signs of concussion

As children return to school sports, parents should familiarize themselves with concussion symptoms.

Dr. Angela Lumba-Brown, a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Palo Alto, reminds parents to watch for:

• Worsening headaches

• Repeated vomiting

• Balance problems

• Seizures

• Neck pain

• Unusual behavior

“If a concussion is suspected, children should be removed from play and evaluated before returning to sports,” she says.

11. Don’t forget vaccines and sun protection

The start of the school year is an ideal time to review routine immunizations.

“Vaccines save lives and keep children healthy by building immunity to many serious viral and bacterial infections,” advises Dr. Brennan.

He stresses the importance of families staying up to date on routine vaccinations and annual flu vaccines.

For outdoor activities, Dr. Yvonne Nicole Lee, with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Santa Clara, recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, hats, UV-protective clothing and sunglasses. Sunscreen should be applied 10 to 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours.

The Bottom Line

Healthy school years don’t happen by accident. Good sleep, nutritious meals, physical activity, hydration, injury prevention and routine healthcare all work together to help children learn, grow and thrive.