Author: Bryce Callahan


October is ADHD Awareness Month

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors and might be overly active. The causes and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role.…


The Health Matters Podcast – Dr. Marisa Giggie

The Health Matters Podcast is a series created in collaboration with WVUA-23 and Alabama Public Radio that features University Medical Center physicians and providers who bring awareness of important health issues and relevant and timely health information to the public. Being a teenager is hard, and technology has made that even more complicated. While social…


Free Flu Shots Available on Campus This Fall

Faculty, staff and students can help protect themselves this flu season with free flu shots on campus Sept. 8 through mid-November. As part of The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences’ annual flu shot campaign, nurses from University Medical Center, Student Health Center and Pharmacy, and Capstone College of Nursing will administer vaccines…


Caring for West Alabama: Guin gives back to rural communities

Dr. Jacob Guin is a family medicine physician who cares for patients at University Medical Center clinics in Tuscaloosa and Carrollton, Ala. Originally from Coker, Ala., Guin grew up shadowing doctors in rural communities in West Alabama, including Drs. Julia Boothe in Reform and John Brandon in Gordo. “I always said whenever I finished med…


Dean’s Message

COVID-19 seems to be settling down, with fewer positive cases and hospitalizations in Alabama, but that doesn’t mean we can relax just yet. It is still important for people to get vaccinated and boosted against the virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August authorized updated (bivalent) COVID-19 booster shots for people who are…


The importance of flu shots

Flu can mean a few days of feeling bad and missing work, school or family events, or it can result in potentially more serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart…


Bivalent COVID-19 boosters

COVID-19 bivalent vaccines, also referred to as updated boosters, are now available in the U.S. The vaccines add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune evading. The vaccines can be given…


Hospitalist Group Director Named

Dr. Lisa Gillespie, who has extensive practice and leadership experience in hospital medicine, was named medical director of the Capstone Hospitalist Group Aug. 1. She has served as interim medical director of the Tuscaloosa-based group since September 2021. Capstone Hospitalist Group was established in 2020 by University Medical Center in partnership with IN Compass Health…


Dean’s Message

A Message from Dr. Richard Friend, Dean of the College of Community Health Sciences COVID-19 has been a part of our lives for the past two-and-a-half years. Now, we are contending with another virus – monkeypox. Though monkeypox is endemic to West and Central Africa, there are currently 15,000 cases in the United States. As…


The Health Matters Podcast – Geriatric Mental Health with Dr. Jamie Reeves

The Health Matters Podcast is a series created in collaboration with WVUA-23 and Alabama Public Radio that features University Medical Center physicians and providers who bring awareness of important health issues and relevant and timely health information to the public. Studies show that older adults tend to have better mental health than younger people. The…