News

UAB Medicine congratulates the 2025 recipients of the Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award, the highest honor available for nursing staff.

People who have received or donated organs for transplant understand why it’s often called “the gift of life”. Madison County resident and UAB Medicine patient Martha Yarbrough, 85, continues to cherish that gift since receiving a kidney from her sister in 1972.

In 2021, Natalie Ryals, 20, playfully jumped off some stairs, something she had done many times before. Later that day, Ryals gradually started noticing some pain in her knee. As the weeks continued, the gradual pain turned into radiating pain, numbness and tingling in her foot. She soon experienced limited mobility in her knee and began to develop low back pain. Ryals began using a knee brace and crutches on a regular basis to be able to move around throughout her daily life.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is offering free oral cancer screenings to the public during the last week of April. The screenings, hosted by the departments of Otolaryngology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, will take only five to 10 minutes to conduct and will include a check for lesions and lumps inside the mouth.

The tissue that lines the uterus (womb) is called the endometrium, and when this type of tissue grows outside of the uterus, it’s known as endometriosis.

Every week, Laura Lieb and Brooklyn White talk with people who have received terrible news. “Someone will call and say, ‘I was just told I have Parkinson’s disease in a 20-minute visit with my doctor, and I don’t know what to do next,’” Lieb said. “That is not uncommon.”

Parkinson’s disease can lead to dysarthria and dysphonia, which are difficulties with speech and voice, respectively. That is because Parkinson’s can impact respiration, the use of the voice box, and the precise movements of the tongue and throat muscles required for clear speech.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Emergency Department has reached a significant milestone, earning the first Level 1 Accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians in the United States. This accreditation represents the gold standard in emergency care and signifies UAB Medicine’s commitment to excellence in patient care. The new designation is a testament to years of dedication of advancing emergency medical care by implementing evidence-based policies and fostering a well-supported, effective emergency care environment.

While the spring season may bring positive emotions with thoughts of spring break and prom, there is one antagonist to this time of year that many will have to face: pollen. One of the biggest enemies to those who enjoy the warmer weather that spring brings, pollen is a common allergen that impacts many who encounter it.

As artificial food dyes gain increased attention, experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are bringing clarity to the debate surrounding these vibrant additives. With dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 coloring everything from cereals to energy drinks, concerns are mounting over potential health impacts, especially in children. UAB researchers are examining the effects of these dyes and exploring natural alternatives, shedding light on what consumers need to know about what is in their food and why it matters more than ever.

Several nursing units at UAB Hospital have earned prestigious Beacon Awards for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

We are pleased to announce the most recent UAB Medicine DAISY Award, recognizing the extraordinary care and compassion that nurses provide for patients and families every day. Congratulations to Jessica Riddle, RN.