More than twenty-five years ago, Northern California PET Imaging Center became the first non-research-based provider of the newly developed Positron Emission Tomography (PET) technology. PET Technology had to prove its worth to physicians, their patients, and health insurance companies. NCPIC was on the forefront of that push, and remains today as one of the premier independent molecular imaging providers in the country.

Thanks to the vision of a radiology group and the two competing hospitals in town, Dignity Health and Sutter Health, a scanner and cyclotron were purchased, and NCPIC opened its doors as a not-for-profit organization, offering this important technology to benefit the local community. This symbiotic business model, a pooling of resources between competing healthcare systems, provided access to a highly beneficial but expensive medical technology that either would have been hard pressed to purchase on their own.

NCPIC is continuing the mission under which its doors were first opened, the commitment to remain at the apex of technology in the industry, and the ongoing dedication to research and innovation, not only utilizing the latest advances in molecular imaging, but forging those advances, as well.

“Our success was difficult to come by and maintaining our independence has been challenging. But, what keeps us relevant and thriving is our exceptional and cohesive team that continues to innovate and push the boundaries of this exciting field” stated Ruth Tesar, NCPIC’s CEO.