Baptist Health and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new cancer clinic and infusion center on the campus of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock.
UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic-Little Rock, in Suite 500 of the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, manages the full spectrum of options for cancer patients such as prescribing the appropriate chemotherapy and leading a multidisciplinary approach to address all of a cancer patient’s health needs.
“Both Baptist Health and UAMS understand that cancer care is a critical part of providing quality healthcare to our community,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “That’s why we are committed to expanding cancer services and resources together so that Arkansans can receive the care they need as close to home as possible. We remain committed to helping those who are fighting this difficult battle and ensuring they receive the best possible outcomes. It is our mission to provide Arkansans with compassionate care that meets the highest standards of quality.”
“Today marks the next step in our partnership with Baptist Health as we work together to expand access to the most advanced cancer care to every corner of our state,” said UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, MD, MBA. “Our vision is for Baptist Health patients to be able to receive the novel treatments provided by our UAMS cancer experts, including innovative clinical trials, at their Baptist Health clinic or hospital. The more entry points we can give patients to exceptional care, the better chance they have of being diagnosed early and surviving this disease that is impacting Arkansans so significantly.”
UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic-Little Rock will be staffed by a team of hematology/oncology, gynecologic oncology, and neuro-oncology specialists from the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, as well as a variety of other surgical and non-surgical oncology specialists.
With disease specific expertise in more than 35 cancer types, UAMS medical oncologists are trained to manage a patient's overall care and treatment plan, which may involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and other interventions. Specialists from all areas of cancer care work together to develop a personalized treatment plan for each patient.
In addition to providing treatment, medical oncologists may also manage the side effects of cancer and its treatments, provide supportive care to patients and their families, and coordinate care with other healthcare providers. They may also conduct clinical research and participate in the development of new cancer treatments.
A 32-bay infusion center is also set to open in the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center this September. Services will include therapies for both cancer and non-cancerous conditions.
Additionally, the infusion center will have a blend of patient treatment areas to accommodate specific needs (open pods versus isolation/private) and eventually an embedded urgent care clinic specifically designed for cancer patients.
The clinic, at 9500 Kanis Road in Little Rock, is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.