About the Proton Center
The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health and Proton International are bringing the most advanced cancer treatment to Arkansas – proton beam radiation therapy. Currently under construction on the UAMS campus in Little Rock, Arkansas, the new Proton Center of Arkansas will be the first in the state and one of only 40 nationwide to offer this highly targeted radiation therapy that uses protons instead of x-rays to attack cancerous tumors.
What is Proton Therapy?
Proton therapy is the most advanced form of radiation treatment that delivers a pencil-thin beam of proton energy to the precise site of a cancerous tumor. Proton therapy is just as powerful but more precise than other forms of radiation therapy. The protons attack the tumor while protecting the surrounding tissue. Proton therapy is particularly effective in treating pediatric cancers.
Construction Updates
On August 25, two essential pieces of the Proton Center – the 55-ton gantry and the 75-ton cyclotron – were loaded onto a cargo ship at the Port of Antwerp in Belgium (as shown in photo) and arrived at the Port of Houston Sept. 26 after a month at sea. The equipment is so massive that it will travel with a police escort on six semi-tractor trailers to Little Rock. We expect the equipment to arrive in Little Rock on or around Oct. 19.
Track Cargo with MarineTrafficLive Drone Video
Check back for live drone video of the proton beam’s arrival in Little Rock! Follows us on @uamscancer and @uamshealth for more.
Proton Center News
UAMS Breaks Ground on New Radiation Oncology Center, Will House First Proton Center in Arkansas
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) broke ground today on an expanded Radiation Oncology Center, which will be home to Arkansas’ first Proton Center. The Radiation Oncology Center, part of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, already offers cutting-edge technologies to provide the latest radiation treatments. It will continue to provide those…
Read moreUAMS, Baptist Health, Arkansas Children’s Working Together To Expand Cancer Treatment in Arkansas
The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees today approved joint ventures between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Baptist Health and Arkansas Children’s to expand access to radiation therapy as well as to establish the state’s first proton therapy center.
Read moreUAMS, Arkansas Children’s, Baptist Health and Proton International Sign Letter of Intent to Build State’s First Proton Treatment Center
LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Arkansas Children’s, Baptist Health and Proton International (PI) have signed a Letter of Intent to bring proton therapy — an alternative to radiation therapy for treating cancer — to Arkansas.
Read moreThe Proton Center of Arkansas Partners
UAMS is excited to be able to offer this advanced technology to patients in Arkansas.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Arkansas Children’s, Inc. is the only healthcare system in the state solely dedicated to caring for Arkansas’ 703,000 children.
Baptist Health
Baptist Health is Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 200 points of access.
Proton International
Proton International has an experienced team dedicated to bringing proton therapy to patients.
Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is Arkansas’ only academic cancer treatment and research facility.