Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute Inc

Programs: For more than 40 years, carti has been synonymous with cutting-edge, state of the art cancer care treatment in arkansas. From its origins as one of the nation's leading networks of freestanding, not-for-profit radiation therapy providers to its modern evolution as a comprehensive cancer center, carti remains committed to its core mission of providing the finest quality cancer treatment and compassionate patient care while also continuing to improve our knowldge through education and research. Carti first opened on april 5, 1976 as the central arkansas radiation therapy institute on the campus of st. Vincent infrimary medical center in little rock. Operating as an independent network of radiation therapy providers, carti would grow to include ten more satellite locations throughout arkansas. Carti was incorporated in 1970 and opened its first radiation therapy center in little rock on april 5, 1976. Little rock hemotology/oncology (lrho) became part of carti on december 1, 2011. Hemotology oncology services of arkansas (hosa) joined the carti network on january 1, 2013. Physicians on staff at carti include twelve medical oncologists, eight radiation oncologists, three diagnostic radiologists, one surgical oncologist, and one interventional oncologist. Carti has a statewide network of satellite clinics. Medical oncology is offered in little rock, north little rock, benton, clinton, conway, el dorado, heber springs, russellville and stuttgart. Radiation oncology is offered in little rock, north little rock, conway, mountain home, and searcy. Ribbon cutting ceremonies for the carti cancer center - anew, 170,000 square foot, 90 million multi-story comprehensive treatment facility located in little rock - were conducted on october 16, 2015. Serviing as the admistrative hub of the carti network, the carti cancer center is located just south of interstate 630 on a 37. 12-acre plot with easy access to i-630 to allow patients easier access to fully integrated cancer care. The carti cancer center officially opened its doors and began treating patients on november 2, 2015. Carti treats a wide variety of cancers, with the three most widely treated cancers being breast, lung and colorectal. As the largest not-for-profit network of private practice cancer care speacialists in arkansas, carti currently sees an estimated 20,000 patients per year. In addition to utilizing leading-edge radiation therapy to help those arkansans who are diagnosed with cancer, carti has a "ray of hope" network that exists to care for the whole patient. From public education programs like cancer asnwers; to wellness initiatives like massage therapy. The ray of hope network provides a broad scope of assistance to meet the many and diverse needs of those fighting for their lives, as well as helping the family members who support them. As part of the ray of hope network, carti offers a comprehensive counseling and resource program to inform patients of available resources. Social workers assess patient need requests to assist him or her in obtaining the resources necessary to make their cancer treatment possible. Patients who qualify financially are offered assitance in the areas of lodging and transportation as well as financial assitance for prescription medicines and personal needs as they relate to their treatment. During the fiscal year, carti patient assisatance referrals were made to: 1. Transportation (fuel vouchers) - 842 patients this number is in addition to the free transportation offered by carti to hospital and/or nursing home patients. 2. Housing (during treatment) - 289 patients provided in full by a grant from the carti foundation or parially covered by the foundation and offered at an extremely reduced cost to the patient. 3. Emotional support (patients/families) - 128 sessions 4. Therapeutic massage (patients) - 218 sessions 5. Dental referrals for oral surgery - 12 patients 6. Other referrals (medicines, nutrition, translation, etc. ) - 295 patients carti is committed to arkansas communities by providing a tremendous number of outreach programs at no cost to participants. The cancer answers educational luncheon was attended by approximately 700 people in eight communities across arkansas. This event is open to the community, with former patients as well as community members invited to attend to become better informed about issues related to cancer. Weekend retreats are offered at no cost each year for cancer patients and their familiies to learn coping mechanisms, communication and resource use. During this fiscal year, five retreats were held on petit jean mountain that were geared toward different survivor groups, such as breast and prostate cancer survivors, and included a general retreat for families facing a diagnosis of cancer. Carti welcomed approximately 250 participants to these retreats. Carti kids, a specialty program designed for pediatric cancer survivors up to the age of 18, assists young cancer survivors in dealing with emotional, physical and financial challenges due to their diagnosis. In this fiscal year, carti offered a variety of events for the carti kids, including a summer trip for pediatric cancer patients and a christmas party for those patiets and their families. Thanks to the carti foundaiton, 20 pediatric cancer survivors received scholarships values at 3,000 each as they entered college, helping address the financial burden placed upon the families whose children have battled pediatric cancer.