CARTI completes expanded El Dorado cancer center

CARTI completed its $19 million comprehensive cancer center in El Dorado. Patients, physicians, government officials and community supporters joined the not-for-profit cancer care provider last Thursday (Nov. 13) to recognize its expansion, which brings full-time breast care, advanced imaging, radiation therapy and, in January 2026, urologic services to the region.

“The CARTI Cancer Center El Dorado reflects our commitment to radically transform how cancer care is delivered to meet patients where they are,” said Adam Head, CARTI’s president and CEO.

CARTI has been the region’s primary source of cancer care for more than two decades.

In 2021, the not-for-profit provider opened the CARTI Cancer Center El Dorado at 1601 North West Avenue, offering medical oncology and PET imaging services. Last year, with support from Governor Sarah Sanders, former Speaker Matthew Shepherd, Senate President Pro Temp Bart Hester and members of the Arkansas General Assembly, CARTI secured $7 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to complete Phase II of the facility.

“CARTI’s new comprehensive cancer center is a lifeline for families across this region,” said Gov. Sanders. “As someone who has had cancer and received treatment at CARTI, I know firsthand how much it means to have skilled physicians and advanced treatment nearby. That’s why I was proud to help secure $7 million in federal funds to complete this project, because every Arkansan deserves access to trusted, leading-edge care close to home.”

The Breast Center at CARTI El Dorado offers 3D screening mammography, supplemental screenings like whole-breast ultrasound and was the first in the state to provide contrast-enhanced mammography to qualifying patients.

Patient care at CARTI Cancer Center El Dorado is provided by fellowship-trained medical oncologists Neelakanta Dadi, M.D., FACP, MRCP, Derek Middleton, M.D. and Appalanaidu Sasapu, M.D.; fellowship-trained breast imaging specialists Shyann Renfroe, M.D. and Stacy Smith-Foley, M.D. and breast surgical oncologist Eric Burdge, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.; radiation oncologist Howard Morgan, M.D.; and Kayla Williams, APRN, MSN.

CEO Adam Head appeared on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics to discuss the expansion and the state of cancer care in Arkansas. You can watch his full interview in the video below.