CARTI to build cancer center in El Dorado

CARTI announced Tuesday (Sept. 10) its plans to build CARTI Cancer Center South Arkansas, a comprehensive cancer treatment facility to be located in El Dorado.

The cancer center’s planned services will include medical and radiation oncology, an infusion suite, imaging and an onsite lab. The project is currently in preliminary phases and a site has yet to be identified. A dollar figure for the investment was not disclosed.

This will be the fifth comprehensive cancer center in CARTI’s network of cancer treatment locations, bringing its statewide presence to 16 treatment locations in 14 communities. CARTI currently has south Arkansas locations in El Dorado and Crossett, and will open a third location in Magnolia in October.

“CARTI’s presence in south Arkansas began 21 years ago with a location in El Dorado,” said Adam Head, president and CEO of CARTI. “Based on patient needs and our mission to provide cancer care close to home, we have expanded that footprint to include additional locations in Crossett and Magnolia. Due to a continued need for cancer care in this area, we are committed to building a comprehensive cancer center with expanded services and treatment options.”

“We chose El Dorado as the location for the new facility because we are indebted to the residents of this area for supporting our mission over the past 21 years,” he added. “They have supported us financially, most recently funding our Heat the Seats Campaign and allowing us to outfit our infusion suite with 28 heated recliners. They also support our patients by serving as Chemo Angels and passing out blankets and snacks while patients are receiving infusions. Our presence in south Arkansas is rooted in El Dorado, and we look forward to bringing this community and the surrounding areas the most advanced technologies and expertise with the new CARTI Cancer Center South Arkansas.”

Dr. Balagopalan Nair began seeing patients in El Dorado in 1998. Due to a significant increase in patient volume, Nair expanded his presence in south Arkansas. Today, Nair sees more than 60 patients per day. More than 100 cancer patients are served at CARTI El Dorado every Tuesday.

“A pillar of CARTI’s mission is to bring world-class cancer care into communities across our state, especially to those where access to cancer care is lacking,” said Dr. Nair, CARTI’s chief medical director. “It was this calling that led to starting a practice in El Dorado in 1998. I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the care of these patients, and look forward to expanding our services with the opening of the new CARTI Cancer Center South Arkansas.”

CARTI is an independent not-for-profit, multidisciplinary cancer care provider offering medical and surgical oncology, diagnostic radiology, and radiation oncology at locations throughout the state to provide convenient access for cancer patients.

Medical oncology is offered in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Clinton, Conway, Crossett, El Dorado, Heber Springs, Russellville and Stuttgart. Radiation therapy is offered in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Mountain Home and Searcy. Mammography screenings are provided at The Breast Center at CARTI, located in Little Rock.