Mercy Grows Access to Cancer Care for Patients in the River Valley

In a unique collaboration with the Cherokee Nation supporting health care throughout the region, Mercy broke ground on an expansion of oncology services in Fort Smith, an effort to grow access to cancer care for patients.

The new 40,000-square-foot cancer center will bring together Mercy Fort Smith’s current oncology services, at 7001 Rogers Ave., by moving radiation therapy and expanding infusion services. Plans include upgraded and additional linear accelerators, advanced radiation and imaging, additional infusion chairs and more. 

“We are eager to bring our cancer services together into one location, making appointments easier on our patients and their families, as well as for our Mercy caregivers,” said Patrick Pendleton, executive director of Mercy Health Foundation Fort Smith. “This opportunity is truly historic and will impact the lives of thousands of patients annually.”

In the spirit of Gadugi, the Cherokee value of working together for the benefit of everyone, the Cherokee Nation has contributed $8 million to the project, part of its larger initiative to improve cancer care access for its citizens, to provide critical care closer to home for Cherokee Nation citizens and others diagnosed or battling cancer in the region. 

“Cherokee Nation is proud to partner with Mercy to expand access to critical cancer care for both our tribal citizens and our neighbors in the Fort Smith region,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “With this investment, we can better address the long-standing disparities seen in Native health outcomes. We can ensure that more Cherokee families have access to the early diagnosis and advanced treatments they deserve, and that those services are close to home. We believe every life is worth fighting for and that no one should have to face cancer alone. Working together in the spirit of Gadugi, we are building a healthier future for all.”

The project closely follows the opening of Mercy Fort Smith’s new $186 million emergency room and intensive care unit, which began caring for patients in May.

Over the past few years, Mercy has explored multiple plans for how it might both simplify and expand the footprint of cancer services in a way that ultimately meets the needs of patients across the area for many years to come. 

“More providers, support staff and technology, paired with expanded facilities, will effectively double Mercy’s patient capacity,” Pendleton said.

Each year, more than 5,000 people in the River Valley are newly diagnosed with cancer. As other regional cancer care providers have reduced services or closed over the past decade, Mercy Fort Smith has expanded access to meet the growing need. However, these services and the current facilities have reached their capacity, and as a result, 30% to 40% of newly diagnosed cancer patients still leave the River Valley for care, primarily due to limited local access.  

"This expansion of cancer care in Fort Smith marks more than just a new building – it’s a powerful step forward in bringing world-class care, hope and healing to our community,” said Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Arkansas Communities. “Every patient and every family in the River Valley will have access to the kind of support that transforms lives closer to home.”

Construction is being managed by St. Louis-based McCarthy, with design by HKS of Dallas. Plans will minimize the impact to Mercy patients during the construction process.

Philanthropic efforts for the project are ongoing. For more information, visit Mercy Health Foundation’s website here.