If you ask Dr. Grace Raja, personality plays a big role in a physician’s chosen specialty field. Where her husband Dr. Vijay Raja prefers the fast-paced, intense environment of cardiology at the Arkansas Heart Hospital, Grace’s passion is forming long-term, meaningful relationships with the patients she treats as an oncologist at CARTI.
“I like to ask them about their grandchildren and really get to know my patients and discuss all the things,” Grace says. “I went into medical oncology because of the relationships you can form by being with patients all day in the clinic.”
Grace’s take on patient care fits perfectly with CARTI’s mission to make trusted cancer care accessible through “compassion, innovation and purpose,” all while supporting patients from pre-diagnosis through survivorship.
Vijay says increasing interprofessional collaboration is allowing his expertise to enter oncology conversations as well.
“With the burgeoning field of cardio-oncology, I am often asked to participate in several shared patient encounters,” he says. “Because of this, I am lucky enough to participate in giving the patients complete medical care.”
CARTI’s Patient Assistance Program is one of the biggest reasons oncologists like Grace can walk with patients every step of the way. The program provides comprehensive support services, such as help with lodging, transportation and various forms of counseling.
“As one of CARTI’s fellowship-trained medical oncologists and a CARTI Foundation member, Dr. Grace Raja has witnessed firsthand the challenges our patients experience during their cancer journeys,” says Jennifer Selig, executive director of the CARTI Foundation. “A physician himself, Dr. Vijay Raja also understands the vital role that access plays in ensuring Arkansans can receive leading-edge, compassionate care.”
Grace recounts a patient who had a treatable, but very aggressive form of breast cancer that was going to require many trips to CARTI. The patient, not wanting to be an imposition to friends and family, initially decided against treatment.
“The Patient Assistance Fund and social workers at CARTI are calling her to say we are going to do whatever it takes to get her treatment,” Grace says. “We are going to provide rides, we are going to help with [medicine] co-pays and we will provide meals while you’re here.”
The patient eventually agreed to seek treatment, and Grace gets emotional as she shares that she recently saw the woman and learned her cancer is half the size.
“Medical care is so expensive, especially with new and cutting edge treatment options,” Vijay says. “The ability to shave some portion of the ancillary costs for those patients and their families during an already taxing time makes all the difference.”
“At CARTI, patient assistance means removing the obstacles that stand between Arkansans and the care they need, whether it’s distance, cost or complexity,” president and CEO Adam Head says.
The current focus is bringing service offerings to areas with traditionally limited access, like recently completing an expansion of El Dorado’s comprehensive cancer center.
“From expanding cancer centers into rural communities to easing burdens during the cancer journey, we are committed to ensuring no patient has to face cancer without access to trusted care,” Head says.
Fundraisers like CARTI’s 49th annual Festival of Trees ensure the Patient Assistance Fund can continue to serve patients and critical clinical research can be done on their behalf. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $11 million to support patients and their families.
The Rajas were chosen to chair this year’s Tux ‘n’ Trees Gala, the grand finale of the three-day event that features fine dining, auctions, live entertainment and dancing.
“It is humbling and an honor to be selected for such a large and popular event,” Vijay says. “We hope to bring respect to the position for those who have held it before us and for those going forward, and we want to encourage wide participation in all events for the week.”
The pair is looking forward to putting their own spin on the event, starting with the music. Instead of a live band like in past years, they’re bringing in the renowned DJ Derrick to set the mood for the night after enjoying an event he mixed in northwest Arkansas.
The Statehouse Convention Center’s Wally Allen Ballroom will still feature the usual forest of beautifully decorated Christmas trees up for bid, but this year’s theme, “Courage in Full Color,” will add brightness to the decor with bright green linens, vibrant florals and a festive logo derived from an art piece by the Rajas’ 12-year-old daughter Lakshmi.
“It’s going to be cheerful,” Grace says. “I want it to be cheerful and fun to celebrate the times that we can cure patients. I always say the best part of my job is having the privilege to give good news.”
CARTI’S 49TH Annual Festival of Trees
Statehouse Convention Center
Sugar Plum Ball | Nov. 6, 6 p.m.
Festival of Fashion | Nov. 7, 7 p.m.
Tux ‘n’ Trees Gala | Nov. 8, 6 p.m.
Info: carti.com/festivaloftrees
PHOTOGRAPHY
JASON MASTERS
HAIR & MAKEUP
LORI WENGER
ON GRACE:
DRESS
UNVEILED BRIDAL COLLECTION
JEWELRY
SISSY’S LOG CABIN
SHOES
B.BARNETT
ON VIJAY:
TUXEDO, SHIRT, SHOES
BAUMANS FINE MEN’S CLOTHING
BOW TIE
DILLARD’S