Category Newsletter


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

Innovation and Patient Care I want to thank our patients for working with us as we navigate uncharted conditions and challenges during this COVID-19 pandemic. At University Medical Center, we continue to explore new and innovative ways to care for our patients. UMC has significantly increased provision of daytime telemedicine appointments, and we have added…


UMC, WVUA Partner to Host Virtual Town Halls

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, University Medical Center and WVUA have partnered to provide the West Alabama community with information and resources from UMC health experts through virtual town halls that started April 10. The virtual town halls will take place every Friday on UMC’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. and will be hosted…


Coping with COVID-19: Information and Tips

Angela Hammond, a nurse practitioner with University Medical Center’s Faculty-Staff Clinic, answered questions about COVID-19 during an April 10 webinar offered by The University of Alabama Wellness and Worklife Division. The webinar was the second of a five-part series on coping techniques for dealing with personal, professional and even national crises. The series is open…


COVID-19 and Immunity

Assessing immunity to COVID-19 requires a test that looks for protective antibodies in the blood of people who have recovered from the disease. Such a test can provide an indication that you have had the virus and that your body built a response to it, said Dr. Tom Weida, University Medical Center’s chief medical officer…


Primary Care During COVID-19

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, people still need regular and routine care for diabetes, high blood pressure and other health needs. “Many people have chronic conditions that make it necessary to see a doctor on a regular basis, said Dr. Jane Weida, interim chair of the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural…


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

Navigating these Challenging and Uncertain Times Together These are certainly challenging and uncertain times we find ourselves in as we all adjust to new ways of providing health care and ensuring the safety of our patients and our employees on the front lines. We have made some specific changes at University Medical Center and have…


Caring for Our Frontline: UMC Mental Health Services Available at No Cost for First Responders

People are being told to stay home as much as possible during this COVID-19 outbreak, but that’s not an option for most first responders. Police officers, firefighters and paramedics in Tuscaloosa and throughout the country continue to respond to emergencies in their communities, not knowing for sure if the people they will interact with have…


UA Helping Fabricate Protection For Health Care Workers at UMC, DCH

The University of Alabama community has come together to help provide 3D-printed personal protective equipment, or PPE, for health care workers locally and in the region. Two groups across three colleges on campus are producing face shields for health care professionals at University Medical Center, DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa and UAB Hospital. PPE such…


College Involved in COVID-19 Study

Dr. Raheem Paxton, associate professor of community medicine and population health at The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, is part of a UA study exploring people’s emotions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the research study will explore how people’s emotions influence their response to the spread of the novel coronavirus. Paxton is…


UMC Transitions Evening Clinic Hours to Telemedicine Visits

In an effort to be more accessible to patients during the COVID-19 outbreak, University Medical Center has transitioned its evening clinic hours to evening telemedicine hours. Beginning April 6, telemedicine visits will be available to existing and new patients Mondays through Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 7 pm. Patients wishing to schedule an evening telemedicine…