Members of the news media are welcome to call our Public Relations department for news about the medical center, press releases, and calendar listings.

We also invite inquiries about medical topics and will work to put you in touch with an expert who can address the subject.

Carolyn Kemp
Director of Public Relations
Phone: (510) 869-8220
Fax: (510) 869-8980
E-mail: kempc2@sutterhealth.org

For urgent media attention at any time, please call the medical center operator at (510) 204-4444 and ask them to page Public Relations.

Emergency Management

In the case of an emergency situation, the Public Relations staff will update the public and members of the media through timely updates.

Community Updates: Members of the community may check the medical center’s website under "Newsroom," for periodic updates.

Media Updates: Members of the media may contact Public Relations in three ways:

Telephone: Contact the Public Relations Department at (510) 869-8220. Please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Email: Send emails to either Kempc2@sutterhealth.org or Gruenj@sutterhealth.org.

In person: Report to the main entrance of the medical center for further direction. Alta Bates Campus: 2540 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley; Merritt Campus: 350 Hawthorne Avenue, Oakland.

Policies and Procedures

The following guidelines are designed to help the Public Relations Department best meet the needs of the media:

All news media inquiries, during regular business hours, should be directed to the Public Relations Department at (510) 869-8220. Outside of regular business hours, call (510) 204-4444.

A Public Relations staff member must accompany members of the news media during all on-site visits and interviews to maintain patient confidentiality. Please make arrangements with Public Relations prior to arrival at the medical center.

Members of the media should expect to present proper identification.

The Public Relations Department keeps a record of all media requests.

The Public Relations Department connects members of the media with appropriate sources within the medical center for comment.

Reporters are requested to identify Alta Bates Summit Medical Center by its full name. The full name and title of staff members should be used.