Highlands Oncology receives innovator award

Springdale-based Highlands Oncology, the region’s largest cancer-care provider, recently received a 2025 Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) Innovator Award.

Highlands Oncology was recognized for its remote monitoring model that provides support and symptom management to patients between clinic visits. The award is given to cancer programs and practices that advance access, quality and value in cancer care delivery.

Highlands’ model uses electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) and intelligent triage technology to reduce emergency department visits and hospital admissions while increasing treatment adherence and patient engagement, according to a news release. Highlands collaborated with software developer Canopy to develop a tracking and symptom acuity system that prevented missed or underreported symptoms by prompting patients to report to their providers when additional care was required.

“Highlands Oncology takes a very holistic approach to the patient journey,” said Lauren Hughes, director of infusion services at Highlands Oncology. “When a patient comes in and receives a cancer diagnosis, we don’t only focus on that one aspect of care. Rather, we make it a priority to provide every patient with a wide array of supportive care resources to meet all of their needs.”

Hughes and her colleagues recently presented their innovation to oncology professionals from across the United States at the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference in Denver.

Highlands Oncology has 850 employees across six locations, including two in Fayetteville, two in Springdale, and in Rogers and Mountain Home.