UAMS, Arkansas Children’s, Baptist Health and Proton International Open State’s First Proton Center

By Marty Trieschmann

UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA Evan Lewis

The Proton Center of Arkansas opened September 27, 2023, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), becoming the first proton therapy center in Arkansas and only the 43rd in the nation to provide the most advanced cancer radiation treatment in the world.

Proton therapy is a cutting-edge form of radiation that uses positively charged proton particles to destroy tumors, often in hard-to-reach areas, with greater precision and significantly less damage to healthy organs and tissues. Patients receiving proton therapy have less severe and fewer side effects than conventional X-ray radiation, which improves their recovery time and quality of life.

“What started more than three years ago with a shared vision to bring the most advanced cancer therapy to Arkansas is finally here,” said UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA. “It’s a proud day for UAMS and for health care in Arkansas as we join a small, elite group of states that offer this groundbreaking therapy for children and adults with cancer.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/09/27/uams-arkansas-childrens-baptist-health-and-proton-international-open-states-first-proton-center/

Proton Cancer Treatment Center Coming to UAMS in Little Rock

Cancer patients in Arkansas will soon have an alternative to radiation therapy, which can damage healthy tissues and have long-term consequences.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health and Proton International have signed a letter of intent to build a proton treatment center at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center in Little Rock. In a joint announcement, the consortium said the center will be the first such facility in Arkansas and one of about 40 nationwide.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/first-proton-treatment-facility-planned-arkansas-fight-cancer

First Proton Treatment Facility Planned For Arkansas To Fight Cancer

Cancer patients in Arkansas will soon have an alternative to radiation therapy, which can damage healthy tissues and have long-term consequences. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Baptist Health and Proton International have signed a letter of intent to build a proton treatment center at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center in Little Rock.