HJAR Mar/Apr 2024

50 MAR / APR 2024 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS ADH CORNER COLUMN CHILDREN’S HEALTH IN SEPTEMBER 2023, the Proton Center of Arkansas — a joint venture between Arkan- sas Children’s, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Baptist Health, and Proton International — officially opened its doors. The facility, the first of its kind in Ar- kansas, utilizes the latest advancements in proton radiation therapy and adds to the ar- ray of treatment options for pediatric cancer patients who live in or travel to the state for care. Many tools The suite of pediatric cancer care treat- ments available in Arkansas now includes: • Surgery. • Gamma Knife radiosurgery. • Chemotherapy. • Immunotherapy, including chemo- immune conjugate therapy. • Radiation therapy, including proton therapy. • Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). • Allogeneic (relative or unrelated donor) and autologous (self-donor) blood and bone marrow transplants. • Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for treating some of the most challenging pediatric cancers, including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). One network Having various options available through Arkansas Children’s and its partners facili- tates effective communication between pro- viders caring for patients. High-quality pedi- atric cancer care requires a highly specialized team of clinicians across various disciplines in collaboration with primary care provid- ers. Teammembers may include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse specialists, psy- chologists, neuropsychologists, nutritionists, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and child-life specialists. Operating within the same network aids cancer care providers and patient caregivers in planning and optimal scheduling for dif- ferent stages of treatment and the recovery periods between stages. The benefits of offering a variety of treat- ments under one network extend to families and patient caregivers, too. In addition to re- ducing the financial burden of traveling out of state for care, it also reduces the challenges sometimes posed by insurance companies for patients whose treatment is in multiple states. Keeping patients and their families or caregivers close to support networks often expands the number of people available to provide optimal care for common side ef- fects, like nausea and vomiting, and emergent events, such as fever, requiring immediate intervention. Arunkumar Modi, MD Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist Arkansas Children’s Expanded Treatment Modalities and Strong Partnerships ELEVATE PEDIATRIC CANCER CARE IN ARKANSAS