Category Newsletter


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…


UMC Town Halls

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, University Medical Center and WVUA 23 have partnered to provide the West Alabama community with important information and resources from UMC health experts through weekly virtual town halls that started April 10, 2021. There were four UMC Town Halls in January: COVID-19 Vaccines, with guest Dr. Richard Friend, dean…


A Message From Dr. Richard Friend, Dean of the College of Community Health Sciences

We are entering a very different and difficult holiday season. The country is beginning its ninth month of the pandemic and COVID-19 fatigue is setting in – right when it can be the most dangerous. People are understandably weary. But COVID-19 positive cases are rising, and colder temperatures are making outdoor gatherings less appealing, removing…


The Health Matters Podcast

We have all been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for much of this year. On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Tom Weida, chief medical officer of University Medical Center, gives an update on where we are now in regard to COVID-19, and what we can expect in 2021. Your browser does not support the…


Social Work and COVID-19

Social workers provide numerous services to those in need, identifying and addressing challenges in health, home life, employment and finances. This year, COVID-19 has impacted all of those areas. For many people, the virus has led to temporary or permanent job loss and, as a result, decreased access to health insurance, health care, food and…


Mental Health During the Holidays and Pandemic Fatigue

For many people, the holiday season can be a time of stress, loneliness and grief. This year, feelings of anxiety and depression may be more prevalent because of COVID-19. People report that they are weary of the pandemic and that it is painful to have to abandon social rituals during the holidays, like family gatherings…


University Medical Center Recertified as Patient-Centered Medical Home

University Medical Center has been recertified as a Patient-Centered Medical Home in recognition of its commitment to place patients at the forefront of care while improving quality and lowering health care costs. “On behalf of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), thank you for your dedication to sustaining your Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition,” the…


A Message From Dr. Richard Friend, Dean of the College of Community Health Sciences

Since August, University Medical Center has conducted COVID-19 testing for The University of Alabama campus. We haven’t stopped, and when the fall semester becomes the spring semester, we’ll still be testing. UMC is operated by the College of Community Health Science, which educates medical students and resident physicians, so we are well positioned to lead…