Before joining CARTI in 2017 as president and CEO, Adam Head was COO at Arkansas Heart Hospital of Little Rock. The Little Rock native served as a Medical Service Corps officer in the Army and was deployed to Iraq in 2005. Under his leadership, CARTI has grown from 12 treatment locations to 18 in 16 cities. Head was named Arkansas Business of the Year’s Nonprofit Executive of the Year in 2022.
Head earned his bachelor’s in business management at the University of Arkansas and an MBA from Capella University in Minneapolis.
CARTI treats more than 50,000 patients a year. What are the most common cancers?
Arkansas is expected to see more than 19,000 new cancer diagnoses in 2024. At CARTI, the most common cancers we treat are breast, lung, prostate and colorectal cancer. While our state’s incidence rate is alarming, our estimated cancer death rate — approximately 6,300 — is stable. We can attribute this hopeful progress to early detection and advances in treatment. CARTI is dedicated to saving more lives by taking a whole-patient approach with comprehensive services, including clinical research trials, advanced radiation therapy, chemotherapy, urology and surgery.
What is CARTI’s biggest challenge, and how are you solving it?
One of our biggest challenges is ensuring we have sufficient resources and staff to meet the growing demand. To enhance efficiency and patient access, we have strategically expanded into the areas of Arkansas that need it most, including rural or traditionally underserved regions where CARTI may operate as the sole cancer care provider. This innovative model requires investing in workforce development, including recruiting and training talented health care professionals who share our commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.
Last year, CARTI opened the state’s first dedicated cancer surgery center. How many surgeries have been performed there?
Since opening the CARTI Surgery Center at our flagship campus last fall, there have already been nearly 7,000 procedures performed, which aligns with our expectations. This volume, which continues to grow monthly, reflects the high demand for CARTI’s specialized surgical services.
CARTI recently announced it would finalize plans for its El Dorado cancer center. Why there?
CARTI has provided cancer care in El Dorado and south Arkansas for 25 years. The addition of a comprehensive cancer center in 2021 laid the groundwork for our current expansion. Completing phase two will enhance our ability to provide specialized cancer care, including a breast center, increased imaging capabilities and radiation oncology. By continually growing our presence in south Arkansas, we will ensure patients can access leading-edge treatments and compassionate care without traveling long distances, ultimately improving their outcomes and quality of life.
How will CARTI grow in the next five years?
CARTI will continue expanding our services where they are needed most to facilitate and enhance patients’ access to care, including preventive services like screenings. Our model does not necessitate bringing every patient to one location for treatment. Instead, we are focused on reducing barriers to care by locating services near or where patients live. We also aim to strengthen relationships with community organizations and local health care providers to address patients’ broader needs and improve health outcomes in the regions we serve.