Overview of the Care Alliance
GE HealthCare and UCSF Health have announced a 10-year Care Alliance. This co-developed enterprise program integrates advanced imaging technology across multiple clinical settings within the California health system. The alliance builds on a decades-long relationship between the University of California, San Francisco and GE HealthCare. However, this marks their first major formal agreement as a health system partnership.
“Our Care Alliance with UCSF Health reflects a shared commitment to improving outcomes for patients,” said Catherine Estrampes, President and CEO, U.S., GE HealthCare. Together, the two organizations aim to raise the standard of care through technology, workforce development, and expanded access to imaging services.
Why This Partnership Matters Now
UCSF Health currently stands at a pivotal moment in its institutional history. The health system is simultaneously constructing two hospitals of the future — an adult care facility at Parnassus Heights and a pediatric facility at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. Designing these facilities requires making long-term decisions about clinical infrastructure.
Through this Care Alliance, GE HealthCare helps integrate advanced imaging directly into the DNA of both new hospitals. Rather than retrofitting technology after construction, UCSF Health can now plan imaging capabilities from the ground up. This strategic approach ensures patients gain access to innovative technology today, not years from now.
Key Focus Areas of the Alliance
Advanced Imaging Across Clinical Settings
UCSF Health will implement GE HealthCare imaging solutions across multiple care environments. This rollout furthers UCSF’s leadership in clinical translation — the process of moving research innovations into direct patient care. By standardizing advanced imaging tools across the entire network, UCSF Health ensures that patients receive consistent, high-quality diagnostics regardless of where they receive treatment.
Remote Scanning Support
One major barrier in modern healthcare is geographic access. Patients in underserved areas often cannot reach facilities with advanced imaging capabilities. To address this, GE HealthCare and UCSF Health aim to increase accessibility through remote scanning. Their goal is to bring complex procedures and high-quality imaging to patients when and where they need them most. This initiative directly reduces the burden on patients who would otherwise need to travel for specialized diagnostic care.
MR Excellence and Protocol Optimization
Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging is among the most powerful diagnostic tools available. Yet inconsistencies in protocols and service management can undermine its effectiveness. As part of the alliance, UCSF Health and GE HealthCare will work together to strengthen MR performance across the system. They will optimize imaging protocols, integrate service management, and ensure that MR scans deliver consistent, high-quality results at every UCSF facility.
Radiologic Technologist Workforce Development
Even the most sophisticated imaging technology cannot function without skilled operators. Nationwide, hospitals face a severe shortage of Radiologic Technologists (rad techs). This workforce gap threatens to slow diagnostic services across the country.
The Care Alliance tackles this challenge head-on. Tied to UCSF Health’s existing Career Pathways Initiative — supported by Crankstart, Tipping Point Community, and the Ignite Fund — the program deepens a specialized rad tech education model. It combines hands-on clinical training with peer-to-peer mentoring. Experienced technologists guide and accelerate the readiness of emerging talent. Consequently, new rad techs gain real-world skills faster than through traditional education pathways alone.
This workforce development program is especially significant. It creates sustainable career pathways while directly addressing one of healthcare’s most critical staffing challenges.
What This Means for Patients
Ultimately, the Care Alliance delivers tangible benefits to patients across the UCSF system. First, patients gain access to more advanced imaging tools, including within the new hospitals currently under construction. Second, remote scanning support reduces the need for long-distance travel to access specialized diagnostics. Third, standardized MR protocols mean more reliable results across every care setting. Finally, a stronger rad tech workforce means shorter wait times and more consistent service delivery.
Together, these improvements reflect a shared commitment to making healthcare more equitable, accessible, and effective for patients throughout Northern California.
About the Organizations
UCSF Health is recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care. It includes the flagship UCSF Medical Center, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, UCSF Health Stanyan Hospital, UCSF Health Hyde Hospital, and Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital. UCSF Health serves as the academic medical center of the University of California, San Francisco.
GE HealthCare is a leading global healthcare solutions provider. The company offers advanced medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and AI, cloud, and software solutions. With approximately 54,000 colleagues worldwide, GE HealthCare generates $20.6 billion in annual revenue. Its portfolio spans Imaging, Advanced Visualization Solutions, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics.
