Alta Bates Summit Medical Center History

Summit Medical Center, Alta Bates Medical Center and Sutter Health completed their affiliation process in January 2000. Both Summit and Alta Bates brought to the new organization nearly a century each of experience, commitment and caring. Both hospitals not only carried on the traditions of their founders, but they responded well to the changing needs of a diverse community and the demands of a technological era.

Alta Bates, originally Alta Bates Sanitarium, was founded as an eight-bed hospital for women and their infants in 1905 by nurse Alta Alice Miner Bates. Alta Bates has always cared for its community in times of crisis: the 1906 and 1989 major earthquakes, the devastating flu epidemic of 1918, and two catastrophic urban fires in 1923 and 1991. Today, Alta Bates includes the Herrick Campus, once known as Herrick Hospital and Health Center. Alta Bates has distinguished itself particularly in the areas of women and infant services, cardiovascular services, burn treatment, cancer care, bone marrow transplantation, rehabilitation services and mental health.

Summit Medical Center grew out of and continues the traditions begun nearly a century ago by Providence, Samuel Merritt and Peralta hospitals. We are proud of that history, and today continue the tradition of providing high-quality, accessible healthcare to those who face social and economic barriers. Summit is comprised of the Merritt Pavilion, the South Pavilion, the Peralta Pavilion, Samuel Merritt University and the Health Education Center.

Together, Alta Bates and Summit make up the East Bay's largest private, not-for-profit medical center with three campuses, two acute care hospitals, birthing services and a full array of the most advanced specialty services. 

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center has made community healthcare a priority. We are proud of our many areas of clinical excellence including cardiovascular care, behavioral health, women and infants, orthopedics, rehabilitation and oncology care. For nearly 100 years, we have been tending to the medical needs of the greater East Bay.