Category: Newsletter


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

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and during this COVID-19 pandemic, caring for our mental and emotional health has become especially important. At University Medical Center, taking care of our patients’ mental health has always been as important as taking care of their physical health. Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, social distancing and isolation, we have…


UMC Offers Free Mental Health Services to First Responders, Health Professionals

To assist those in Tuscaloosa working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, University Medical Center is offering free mental health services to first responders and health-care providers. “First responders and health-care providers are often functioning at a high level of (stress), which may negatively impact their thinking and emotional responses to situations,” said…


Mental and emotional Wellbeing During COVID-19

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while caring for our mental wellbeing is always important, it is particularly so now, during the COVID-19 pandemic. What is mental health awareness? Dr. Martha Crowther, a clinical psychologist at University Medical Center, said it’s about “making sure the public understands the importance of thinking about not just…


UA Parenting Assistance Line Offers Support, advice

The University of Alabama’s Parenting Assistance Line, also called PAL, is a free, confidential and anonymous statewide resource for parents and caregivers seeking advice and help on how to deal with their children. Parents can reach out through telephone, text, online chat or the PAL Facebook page. Currently, the primary topics PAL is receiving questions…


CDC Expands List of COVID-19 Symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. Previously, the federal agency had listed three symptoms: fever, cough and shortness of breath. As of April 26, that list was expanded to include those three symptoms as possible indicators of COVID-19, as well as chills, repeating shaking with…


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

The COVID-19 crisis has required all of us to adapt to changes in our day-to-day lives. There have been tremendous changes in workplaces and in our homes. We find ourselves glued to the news, uncertain about the future and our financial stability. We are concerned about loved ones, coping with isolation and unable to move…


COVID-19 and Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing stress for many people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Thad Ulzen is professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at The University of…


Well-Child Visits and Vaccinations Important During This Time

University Medical Center pediatricians stress that parents should keep well-child doctor appointments for their children and make sure their children are getting the required vaccinations. “The last thing we want in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic is to have an outbreak of measles or pertussis (whooping cough),” said Dr. Karen Burgess, associate professor and…


UMC Patient Care and Safety During COVID-19

University Medical Center is continuing to see patients in person and via telemedicine appointments for sick, urgent care and follow-up visits. At our main location in Tuscaloosa, we have implemented procedures with the goal of keeping our patients and our employees safe. As always, please call before coming in as a telemedicine visit might be…


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

Caring for West Alabama. It’s the mission of University Medical Center, and even more important and meaningful during this COVID-19 pandemic. All of our locations (Tuscaloosa, Northport and Demopolis) are open and are here for you. Our doctors and other health-care providers are currently seeing existing patients and accepting new patients. UMC can care for…