Category: Newsletter


A message from Dr. Richard Friend, Dean of the College of Community Health Sciences

At University Medical Center, we have been vaccinating The University of Alabama community against COVID-19 since early January, and it has been a privilege to do so. The effort has placed considerably more work on our faculty and staff. UMC is primarily vaccinating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. There have been long hours and long…


The Health Matters Podcast – COVID-19 Vaccine

Now that COVID-19 vaccines are available, it is important to understand more about them. Dr. Tom Weida is chief medical officer of University Medical Center. In this podcast, he explains the different vaccines available, their safety and effectiveness, and what people can expect after vaccination. Your browser does not support the audio element. Download


Health Notes

In the United States, there are more than 13,000 cases of cervical cancer every year. Most people don’t know that cervical cancer can be prevented. Dr. John McDonald, an OB/GYN at University Medical Center, talks about ways to help prevent cervical cancer Read More. Dr. Robert Osburne is a practicing endocrinologist at University Medical Center,…


February is American Heart Month:
App helps users monitor their blood pressure, provides learning resources

A mobile app developed by faculty at The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences and the Center for Advanced Public Safety is helping individuals manage their blood pressure while also providing valuable resources that promote a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Louanne Friend, associate professor and director of residency research with CCHS, was the principal…


Sentinel Testing Promotes Health and Safety

The College of Community Health Sciences worked closely in 2020 with The University of Alabama’s efforts to mitigate community spread of COVID-19 by conducting sentinel testing of employees and students. The College, which operates University Medical Center, is continuing the work in 2021. Sentinel testing is one of several important measures for preventing the spread…


UMC-Fayette to Offer Prenatal

University Medical Center opened a location in Fayette, Alabama, Feb. 5 that will provide prenatal care services to expectant mothers in a county that has a high infant mortality rate. UMC-Fayette will be open from 8:30 am to noon on Fridays. Dr. Cheree Melton, a family medicine-obstetrician at UMC in Tuscaloosa, will care for patients…


University Medical Center Begins COVID-19 Vaccinations

University Medical Center began administering COVID-19 vaccines in early January to The University of Alabama’s highest priority groups – University health-care workers, law enforcement and security personnel, UA employees and retirees age 75 and older, and UMC patients age 75 and older. Based on Alabama Department of Public Health requirements, UMC was only able to…


Health Matters Podcast – Medicare Annual Wellness Visits

Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visits provide an opportunity for patients to create personalized health plans, based on their current health and risk factors, with their health-care providers. Dr. Tom Weida, chief medical officer of University Medical Center, which offers these no co-pay, no deductible visits, talks about their importance in keeping patients healthy. Your browser does…


UMC Offers Medicare Annual Wellness Visits

University Medical Center provides Annual Wellness Visits for Medicare recipients with the goal of keeping patients as healthy as possible. The Annual Wellness Visit is a yearly appointment with your primary care physician or health-care provider to create a personalized health plan to help prevent disease and disability based on your current health and risk…