This month, Arkana Laboratories marked a significant milestone — 25 years of advancing diagnostic pathology and serving patients across the country. To honor the occasion, the Arkana team came together for a full week of events, capped off by an Open House that welcomed the broader community into our newly renovated facility. Here’s a look at how we celebrated that milestone with our team and our community, as well as how we showed appreciation for the Arkana staff who show up every day to work toward improved care for patients.
Annual All Hands Meeting
The week kicked off with Arkana’s annual All Hands meeting, bringing the entire organization together for a day of reflection and celebration. Leadership opened the program by looking back on the company’s 25-year journey, grounding the milestone in the mission that has guided Arkana from the beginning: putting patients first. Dr. Patrick Walker, Arkana’s founder, shared a reminder of why the work matters: “The longest week of someone’s life is the time between getting a biopsy and getting the results.”
The meeting also recognized a number of team members for reaching five, ten, fifteen, and twenty-five years with the company, honoring the long-term dedication that has helped shape Arkana’s culture. Departments across the organization then shared highlights from the past year, spotlighting growth, innovation, and standout achievements from every corner of the company. The day wrapped up with a team lunch and a full company photo to mark the occasion.
25th Birthday Celebration
Midweek, the team paused to simply celebrate with cake, ice cream, and a few creative touches. In a nod to Arkana’s recently completed building renovation, ice cream was served in hard hat bowls with shovel spoons. Each team member also received an Arkana sweatshirt featuring a custom 25th anniversary logo as a keepsake of the milestone.
Open House Event
The centerpiece of the week was Arkana’s Open House, which brought together employees, families, community partners, and local and state leaders to tour the facility and celebrate Arkana’s growth.
The program featured remarks from Arkana leadership, who highlighted the company’s continued commitment to innovation and patient care. As CEO Dr. Chris Larsen put it, “The story of Arkana, it’s still being written, and I’m convinced the most impactful work that we have to do is yet to come.”
A central focus of the evening was Arkana’s recently completed renovation, which added more than 12,000 square feet of expanded laboratory space along with updated offices designed to support a growing team. The expansion enhances safety and efficiency for both staff and patients, and positions Arkana for continued growth. The company has grown from 145 employees in 2021 to 238 today, with plans to continue creating opportunities in Little Rock.
The Open House also drew remarks from Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., representatives of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, each recognizing Arkana as a leader in healthcare innovation and celebrating its ongoing investment in the state.
Following the program, guests explored the new spaces firsthand — touring the labs, seeing equipment demonstrations, and learning more about the diagnostic work that happens at Arkana every day.
Time Capsule
With an eye toward the future, Friday’s event centered on a time capsule set to be opened in 2036. Team members wrote handwritten notes and included Polaroid photos capturing the people and moments that define Arkana today. The capsule was sealed and placed in the ground in front of the building, where a marker now reads: “To Be Opened 2036.”
Annual Kickball Game
The week closed on a high note with Arkana’s annual company kickball game. Teams were drawn at random, and the afternoon brought out plenty of competitive spirit, impressive plays, and cheering from the sidelines with families and friends joining in the fun. The White Team took home the win with a final score of 10–4. After the game, everyone gathered for food from a burger and hot dog truck, sno cones, and a kids’ game around the bases.
Twenty-five years is a milestone worth celebrating, and this week was a reflection of everything that makes Arkana what it is: a dedicated team, a clear mission, a growing community presence, and an exciting future still ahead. Here’s to the next 25 years!
Quick note: This post is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or health advice. Each person should consult their own doctor with respect to matters referenced. Arkana Laboratories assumes no liability for actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.
