CARTI opens cancer center in El Dorado

CARTI has opened its new cancer center in El Dorado, its fifth comprehensive care center in Arkansas.

The new facility is located at 1601 North West Avenue and provides medical oncology and PET imaging services to cancer patients of south Arkansas. The facility, built in a former Office Depot, includes an infusion suite with 30 heated recliners and an onsite lab.

The cancer center will be open Monday – Thursday from 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

“CARTI’s presence in south Arkansas began 21 years ago with a location in El Dorado,” said Adam Head, president and CEO. “Based on patient needs and our mission to provide cancer care close to home, we are thrilled to expand our offerings and provide a more robust suite of services to the cancer patients of El Dorado and beyond.”

Patient care will be provided by medical oncologist Dr. Balan Nair and Kayla Williams, APRN, MSN. Dr. Nair has been treating patients in El Dorado since 1998.

“In our quest to expand our presence in the community, we explored various opportunities, including plans to build a new structure from the ground up,” said Melissa Masingill, chief business development officer. “Instead, because of our longstanding investment and commitment to this community, we saw an opportunity to renovate an existing space and help energize a main thoroughfare in downtown El Dorado. We are thrilled to reactivate this space and provide a necessary service to the patients and families of south Arkansas and north Louisiana.”

Phase II of the project will bring additional services, including radiation oncology and imaging services, including mammography, CT and MRI. Phase II is expected to be completed in late 2022.

CARTI is a non-profit, multidisciplinary cancer care provider offering services at 18 treatment locations in 15 communities across the state.