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First-in-Region treatment expands options for people with tremor. Jul 29, 2026 Shawn Kramer Dr. Rudolph Schrot demonstrates the specialized equipment used during the noninvasive treatment. An innovative treatment new to the greater Sacramento area helps restore abilities that some people might take for granted - signing a birthday card, buttoning a shirt or pouring a second cup of coffee. An estimated 7 million people in the United States live with essential tremor, one of the most common movement disorders. Meanwhile more than 1 million are living with Parkinson's disease. These neurologic conditions can cause involuntary shaking and may affect the hands, arms, head and other parts of the body. Sutter Health, a not-for-profit health system in California, is expanding access to advanced tremor care through the launch of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound, or simply MRgFUS. Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento is making the technology available to people living with essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease who have not found relief through medication. The outpatient procedure does not require incisions, implanted devices or radiation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, specialists precisely guide focused sound waves to the brain pathways linked to tremor. Since the launch of MRgFUS at Sutter earlier this month, some of the first patients treated with the technology have already experienced significant tremor improvement. Members of the care team, service line and SMCS leaders gathered to celebrate the MRgFUS launch through a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 29. "The impact of tremor often extends beyond physical symptoms, affecting a person's confidence, independence and quality of life," said Dr. Rudolph Schrot, a Sutter Medical Group neurosurgeon practicing at SMCS. "The addition of MRgFUS gives us another way to bring personalized care close to home and help patients continue participating in the activities that matter most to them." MRgFUS at Sutter builds on the system's longstanding investment in advanced neuroscience care. Alongside deep brain stimulation and Gamma Knife radiosurgery, it broadens the therapies available through Sutter's nationally renowned movement disorders program, enabling physicians to match patients with the treatment best suited to their diagnosis, symptoms and personal goals. "Innovation continues to reshape how we care for patients with movement disorders and other complex neurologic conditions," said Dr. Shawn Kile, chair of Sutter Health's Advanced Neuroscience Service Line. "MRgFUS reflects Sutter's commitment to making evidence-based therapies available to the patients and communities we serve."

Sutter Health unveils new primary care center in Elk Grove. Take a look inside. July 29, 2026 3:52 PM Gift Article A new Sutter Health primary care facility is opening in Elk Grove, the first of three new healthcare facilities to open in the city this year. The new Sutter Health Elk Grove Primary Care Center at 8427 Elk Grove Blvd. officially opens to the public Tuesday. Local leaders and healthcare providers celebrated the facility's opening Wednesday. The 10,500-square-foot facility will have eight primary care physicians, as well as on-site lab services and behavioral health support, including a licensed clinical social worker. The new facility will allow Sutter to serve 16,000 more patients, according to Dr. Peter Hull, Sutter's chief medical officer overseeing the greater Sacramento area. Sutter Health currently serves 112,000 patients in Elk Grove, he said. "Primary care is where care starts for almost all patients, and so we're making sure that we're able to have that access close to home for patients in this community that is just growing with people all the time," Hull said. Dr. Min Godwin, the company's chief executive officer of ambulatory care for the greater Sacramento area, said it was important for Sutter Health to operate facilities throughout the city so patients did not have to travel far for care. "We know that healthcare is changing," Godwin said. "Patients want care that is convenient, connected and centered on their individual needs. They want trusted relationships with providers, providers who actually grow up in the community, coordinated support across specialties and access to services closer to where they live, and this center absolutely reflects that vision." The other two Sutter Health facilities coming to Elk Grove are a pediatric urgent care center opening in October and a specialty care center opening in December, leaders said. Sutter Health currently operates a medical plaza at 8170 Laguna Blvd., providing primary and specialty care as well as a lab, imaging services and urgent care, according to its website. It also operates a surgery center nearby at 8200 Laguna Blvd., a walk-in care site at 4810 Elk Grove Blvd. and a physical therapy site at 9280 West Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said the need for healthcare in Elk Grove was crucial and thanked Sutter Health for "investing" in the city. "As our community continues to grow, so do the demanding challenges and needs for healthcare services," Singh-Allen said. "We are getting close to 200,000 residents, and so that puts an incredible strain on the healthcare system." Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, said the facility was "necessary" for the city due to its rapid growth. "Healthcare works best when it's closer to home," Matsui said. "That's how we break down the barriers between people and care, and that's what empowers people actually to take care of their own health needs." Elk Grove News February 18, 2026 7:00 AM July 23, 2026 2:48 PM The Sacramento Bee Camryn Dadey is The Sacramento Bee's Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova watchdog reporter. She is a 2022 graduate of Sacramento State.

Progress made on Sutter Health cancer center to serve Stanislaus, other counties. Updated July 18, 2026 9:33 AM Gift Article Sutter Health marked a milestone in construction of its $380 million cancer treatment center in Modesto on Friday. Local dignitaries and Sutter executives signed the final steel beam at a ceremony before a crane lifted it into place on the four-story structure. Warner Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Sutter, and top officials with Memorial Medical Center and Gould Medical Group attended the program. Sutter Health began construction of the center next door to Memorial Medical Center in January. The Sacramento-based health system is expanding specialized cancer care in the Modesto area as the region adds population and demand for health services increases in the Central Valley. Sutter said the 165,000-square-foot center will provide a modernized, patient-centered environment for cancer patients. About 120 physicians and 400 staff members will work at the medical facility, which will serve tens of thousands of patients annually. The center, expected to open in 2029, will be equipped for diagnosing and treating many types of cancer and include advanced diagnostics and outpatient services. The capabilities will include molecular testing, specialized surgery, radiation treatment, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and other advanced therapies, Sutter said. The center also will put screening and lab services, a pharmacy and complementary therapies all under one roof. The third floor of the Sutter facility will open with four operating rooms for same-day surgeries and four procedure rooms, with space for four additional operating rooms. The facility is expected to serve patients coming from Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced and other counties. "The new cancer center will open doors to new options through a depth and breadth of advanced cancer care services, adding speed and access to the most advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities," a Sutter media advisory said. The Modesto project is part of major investments by Sutter in healthcare facilities in Northern California. In November, the nonprofit health system announced plans for a $2.8 billion medical center near Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The 272-bed hospital is expected to open in 2031. This story was originally published July 18, 2026 at 7:00 AM. Follow more of our reporting on Modesto Bee: what you're reading on instagram. July 17, 2026 4:38 PM July 17, 2026 4:19 PM Health & Fitness January 15, 2026 12:50 PM Health & Fitness June 12, 2026 2:00 PM The Modesto Bee Ken Carlson covers county government and health care for The Modesto Bee. His coverage of public health, medicine, consumer health issues and the business of health care has appeared in The Bee for 15 years.