Arkansas Doctors Built World-Class Cancer Care at Home

More than fifty years ago, two physicians committed to transforming cancer care within Arkansas. Dr. James Y. Suen and Dr. Kent C. Westbrook, both University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) graduates, envisioned bringing comprehensive cancer treatment to their home state. Following fellowships at M.D. Anderson, they returned with a mission to prevent Arkansans from needing to leave the state for superior medical attention.

Their ambitious project began in 1976 with a National Cancer Institute grant for a head and neck cancer program. This initiative paved the way for the founding of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center in 1984, with Dr. Westbrook as its director. The center, which grew into the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, united physicians and researchers under one roof.

Today, the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute serves patients from all Arkansas counties and internationally, offering advanced clinical trials and treatments. The legacy of Suen and Westbrook extends beyond the institute, influencing global medical education through Suen's influential textbooks and Westbrook's mentorship of numerous physicians. Their commitment ensures Arkansans receive world-class cancer care close to home.