UAMS to Acquire Arkansas Proton Center, Securing Cancer Treatment

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) announced it will purchase the Proton Center of Arkansas, becoming the sole owner and operator of the state's proton‑therapy machine. The acquisition will allow UAMS to resume full‑scale proton therapy for patients across Arkansas, with day‑to‑day operations slated to begin on August 1. The transaction, pending approval by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, is expected to close by November 15.

The facility, which opened in September 2023 as the 43rd proton‑therapy center in the United States, faced financial difficulties due to high debt and lower‑than‑expected reimbursement rates. Previously owned by a four‑partner consortium—Proton Center of Arkansas (55%), UAMS (20%), Baptist Health (15%) and Arkansas Children’s Hospital (10%)—the acquisition aims to reduce debt, improve reimbursement, and achieve a break‑even business model while continuing to offer the advanced, lower‑side‑effect cancer treatment.

Proton therapy uses positively charged particles to target tumors with greater precision than conventional X‑ray radiation, reducing damage to healthy tissue and improving patient recovery and quality of life.