LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – CHI St. Vincent has appointed Cara Petrus as Director for the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute (ANI). Petrus, who most recently served as the operational project manager for ANI’s transition to the CHI St. Vincent North campus, will now take a leadership role as the institute prepares to open the new, world-class Arkansas Neuroscience Institute Research and Education Center this summer.

The Arkansas Neuroscience Institute is a comprehensive program incorporating all aspects of neurosurgery and the spectrum of neurological disorders. ANI is led by Dr. Ali Krisht, an internationally renowned neurosurgeon and recipient of the 2019 Herbert Olivecrona Award for his contributions to the field. Neurosurgeons from the Mayo Clinic, University of Illinois, Emory University, Creighton University and others from around the globe travel to Little Rock annually to train with Dr. Krisht and ANI’s leading team of neurosurgeons.

Petrus received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the University of Central Arkansas and her master’s in healthcare administration from St. Louis University. During her time at CHI St. Vincent, Petrus received her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, graduated from Leadership Little Rock Class XXIII and graduated from MEMS Citizen Academy.

The new ANI Research and Education Center grand opening is scheduled for June 14, 2019 and its work will focus on improving treatment outcomes, mapping the human brain and training tomorrow's surgeons to learn the skills necessary to tackle the most complex cases and further impact patient outcomes.