Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport, California, has introduced onsite infusion services as part of an initiative to improve access to cancer care in Lake County. This move is a component of Sutter Health’s Rural Oncology Program and its Advanced Cancer Services, aiming to offer advanced treatments and coordinated care similar to those available in larger urban centers.
“With these critical cancer services now available right here in our hospital, patients no longer need to travel over the mountain for life-changing treatment,” said Tim Stephens, CEO of Sutter Lakeside. “This brings high-quality care closer to home for our community and strengthens healthcare access in Lake County.”
The hospital’s new infusion center includes six treatment bays—two private and four semi-private—and provides therapies such as immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Chemotherapy will be offered starting early 2026. The center is staffed by an advanced practice clinician along with nurses and pharmacists who are trained specifically for these services. In addition to cancer therapies, the team offers hydration and transfusions.
Before this expansion, patients often had to travel approximately 65 miles one way to reach the nearest Sutter Health oncology clinic in Santa Rosa or go even farther to Sacramento for infusion services. During winter months, hazardous driving conditions made access especially difficult. The new local facility is expected to make year-round care more accessible for residents.
The arrival of oncologist Dr. Mark Turrill earlier this summer enabled Sutter Lakeside Hospital to increase its capacity for treating cancer patients. To prepare for the opening of the infusion center, 26 new medications were added at the hospital, and patients were connected with Sutter’s Specialty Pharmacy for outpatient medication delivery.
Looking ahead, the hospital plans further collaboration with Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods beginning in early 2026. “This will bring additional physician expertise and local advanced practice clinician-led care to patients, expand access to virtual visits and inpatient consults, and grow the hospital’s breast cancer program in partnership with Sutter Santa Rosa Oncology,” said Dr. Michael Magnotti, CEO of Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods. Shared scheduling systems across Sutter facilities are also expected to streamline patient care.
Sutter Health treats around 17,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients each year through its integrated model focused on expert teams, technology innovation, and research.
“By expanding cancer services in Lake County, Sutter Lakeside is helping support our rural patients to benefit from that same depth of expertise, right in their own community,” said Dr. Amanda Wheeler, chair of Sutter’s Cancer Services. “We’re redefining cancer care from prevention to survivorship, today and for the future.”
