Category Newsletter


University Medical Center Resuming Evening In-Person Patient Appointments

University Medical Center in Tuscaloosa will resume evening, in-person patient appointments in August. UMC had converted evening office visits to telemedicine visits this past spring due to Covid-19. Evening clinic hours will return on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm for scheduled appointments and urgent care for both new patients and established…


Covid-19 and Re-Opening K-12 Schools

Local, state and federal officials are considering a re-opening of K-12 schools, leaving parents understandably concerned about the safety of their children at school. Dr. Brian Gannon, a pediatrician at University Medical Center, said it is important to consider the benefits and risks of both in-person and virtual learning. Gannon is also assistant professor of…


The Health Matters Podcast:
Covid-19 and Youth Sports

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Brett Bentley, a sports medicine physician at University Medical Center, discusses Covid-19 and youth sports, and talks about ways to keep players safe. Your browser does not support the audio element. Download


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

Last week, a city of Tuscaloosa ordinance took effect requiring people to wear face masks or face coverings in public. There are some exceptions. Children under the age of 2 are not required to wear masks. Face coverings are also not required when people are eating or drinking, if they have health conditions that make…


Testing, Returning to Campus and Emergency Room Care During COVID-19

The University of Alabama is working to bring students, faculty and staff safely back to campus. Drs. Myron Pope and Richard Friend are closely involved with those efforts. Pope is UA’s vice president for Student Life. Friend is dean of the UA College of Community Health Sciences, which operates University Medical Center, and a family…


COVID-19 Screening Set for Aliceville in Pickens County

Screening for Covid-19 will be available at the New Wright MC Church in Aliceville, Alabama, on Tuesday, July 14, from 9 am to noon, for as long as supplies are available. University Medical Center and the Office for Research and Economic Development at The University of Alabama, as well as Alabama Power, are collaborating to…


CDC Adds to COVID-19 Symptoms

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently added to the list of symptoms for Covid-19 – congestion, runny nose and sore throat. These symptoms are in addition to fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; nausea or vomiting;…


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

These doctors-in-training will work and learn alongside our faculty physicians who practice at University Medical Center, which CCHS operates. The residents will also train at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Our College has provided the third and fourth years of medical school for a portion of students from the University of Alabama School of…


Contact Tracing and Covid-19

Anyone who comes into close contact with someone who has Covid-19 is at a higher risk of becoming infected with the virus and of potentially infecting others. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said contact tracing can help prevent further transmission of the virus by identifying and informing people who might be infected…


Covid-19 Screening Set for Eutaw in Greene County

Screening for Covid-19 will be available at the Activity Center in Eutaw, Alabama, on Tuesday, June 30, from 9 am to noon, for as long as supplies are available. University Medical Center and the Office for Research and Economic Development at The University of Alabama, as well as Alabama Power, are collaborating to provide the…