University Medical Center has expanded its neurology care and related services with the addition of Alabama Neurology and Sleep Medicine in Tuscaloosa, one of the state’s largest private neurology groups.
The practice joined UMC on Dec. 12 and now operates as UMC-Neurology and Sleep Medicine.
“The addition of UMC-Neurology and Sleep Medicine improves access to hard-to-find neurologists and medications used to treat complex neurological and sleep conditions,” Dr. Richard Friend, dean of the College of Community Health Sciences, which operates UMC, said during a recent Mini Medical School presentation.
Mini Medical School is a collaborative program of UMC and The University of Alabama’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute that provides educational lectures by UMC health-care providers to OLLI members. The lectures are also open to the public.
UMC-Neurology and Sleep Medicine include six neurologists and sleep medicine professionals with training in neuromuscular disease, sleep medicine, epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology.
Neurologists are specialists who diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system.
Friend said the expanded services allow UMC to provide care for complex conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), epilepsy, tremors, spinal cord injuries and other movement or nerve disorders.
UMC-Neurology and Sleep Medicine also offers treatment for sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness and other sleep conditions that can affect overall health.
Friend also emphasized the role neurologists play in monitoring and protecting brain health, noting that neurological conditions are often closely linked to factors such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure and obesity.
“These factors can affect blood flow and nerve function in the brain, increasing the risk of stroke, cognitive decline and other neurological disorders,” he said.
Friend also highlighted the importance of cognitive stimulation, including reading, puzzles and social engagement, as part of long-term neurological health.
“Neurologists help patients evaluate age-related memory changes, identify early signs of dementia and develop strategies to preserve brain function,” Friend said. “Our goal is not only to treat illness, but to support brain health and quality of life.”
Patients can be seen at UMC-Neurology and Sleep Medicine at 100 Rice Mine Road Loop, #301, in Tuscaloosa. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (205) 345-3881.