Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health has announced plans to construct more than 24 ambulatory care centers across Northern California over the next four years, according to a March 28 report from the Sacramento Bee.
Sutter's multimillion-dollar investment is, in part, related to population growth in the region, according to the report.
Sutter is also expanding its physician training program in order to have enough staff to fill new positions, welcoming 86 medical residents to its medical education training program this year.
According to the American College of Medical Education, 70 percent of physicians go on to practice within 70 miles of where they finished training.
About 43 percent of residents who trained at Sutter have become Sutter physicians, according to the report. Sutter currently has 200 residents, with the goal of doubling that number in the next few years.
The health system also received a federal grant to develop an obstetrics and gynecology residency program.
In Northern California's rural areas, Sutter plans to open ambulatory care centers that focus on primary care and lab services, saving residents travel time.
Sutter will issue new bonds to fund site construction, expecting a healthy demand from investors, according to the report. The health system reported an operating profit of $278 million last year, up 40 percent from the prior year.