June 15, 2020
Two physicians from University Medical Center are continuing to provide gynecological, prenatal and obstetrical services in Carrollton, Alabama – and accepting new patients – even though the Pickens County Medical Center there has closed. Patients are seen and services provided at the Healthplex building, next to Carrollton Primary Care and above the dialysis center. In addition, a consultation clinic for colonoscopies and EGDs (a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach and part of the small intestine) are also provided there by UMC health-care providers.
Dr. Catherine Skinner provides prenatal and obstetrical care, and Dr. John McDonald provides gynecological care and sees patients referred by the county’s primary care physicians. McDonald said the two UMC physicians provide care in Pickens County so that people don’t have to travel to Tuscaloosa, about 45 minutes away, to get the care they need.
“There are a lot of good doctors in Carrollton, but the closure of the hospital creates a situation where, unfortunately for patients, for more specialized services, they have to travel a long way,” McDonald said. “This is our way of getting some of those specialty services to patients so that they don’t have to travel so far.”
Dr. Catherine Skinner
Provides prenatal and obstetrics care on Wednesdays in Carrollton. She is accepting new pregnant patients both in Carrollton and at UMC-Northport, where she primarily practices. Patients can call (205) 348-6700 and those who wish to be seen in Carrollton should specify that they would like to be scheduled there. Skinner is a family medicine obstetrician. She is also assistant professor of family, internal, and rural medicine for The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, which operates UMC. She practiced at Carrollton Primary Care and Pickens County Medical Center before joining the College and UMC. Skinner received her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed her residency training at the College’s Family Medicine Residency. She completed an obstetrics fellowship at Austin Medical Education Program in Texas.
Dr. John McDonald
Provides gynecological consultations every other Tuesday from 8 am to noon in Carrollton. Patients, including new patients, can call (205) 348-5285 to make an appointment. McDonald is associate professor and interim chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences and also cares for patients at UMC in Tuscaloosa. He has chaired the OB/GYN Department at DCH Regional Medical Center. McDonald earned his medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed his residency training at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
