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Last week, the University of Alabama at Birmingham partnered with Whitfield Regional Hospital to launch the first UAB Tele-Intensive Care Unit expanded hospital. With this collaboration, Whitfield now has access to 24-hour Tele-ICU support including a team of experienced ICU nurses and tele-intensivists stationed at UAB. The Tele-ICU allows patients to receive vital care closer to their homes, saving valuable time and extending much-needed services.

Dawn Bulgarella, chief executive officer of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System and UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance, was recently elected president of the Birmingham Regional Council of the Alabama Hospital Association. The election took place at the association’s recent annual meeting.

Most people understand the importance of protecting their skin while spending time in the sun, but it’s also important to protect your eyes. UAB Medicine vision experts share some advice for preserving your eyesight while enjoying the sunshine and outdoor activities.

Drew Ferguson, whose distinguished career in sports medicine at UAB and Children’s of Alabama spans over 40 years, understands the pursuit of excellence in health care. He has witnessed and been part of many care and safety advances for athletes, but he’s also benefitted personally from the progress of medical science. He’s received two kidney transplants at the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute that, in his words, have been a major part of his good fortune in life.

Experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cardiovascular Institute are offering a new treatment for patients with uncontrolled hypertension who have not had success lowering their blood pressure with the use of medications. The new treatment involves renal denervation — a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure.

UAB Medicine patient Malinda Upchurch experienced years of symptoms and inconvenience caused by pelvic organ prolapse, a condition caused by a weakening of tissue and muscles in the pelvic floor. About 40% of women are affected by some form of it.

Amanda knew that Adam had Goodpasture syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that causes the body to make antibodies that attack the lungs and kidneys.
“When I turned 18, Adam got really sick and was in and out of the hospital a lot,” Amanda recalled. “Ultimately, we were told that he needed a kidney transplant.”

With help from her care team at UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center, Christy Moore is recovering from a traumatic brain injury caused by a gunshot wound. Despite it turning her life upside down, this senior at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala., approaches her recovery with a positive attitude.

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. Submissions and stories are reviewed each month, and the winner is surprised at a special ceremony. You can submit a DAISY nurse nomination using this online form.

For Floyd Lawson, it started off as a normal weekend workout at his local YMCA branch. A veteran, husband, grandfather and gym regular, Lawson usually spends two hours or so at the gym doing cardio, stretching, lifting weights and then a visit to the steam room. To say he is active and in good health is an understatement.

In today’s digital age, children’s eyes are seemingly glued to iPads, tablets and other digital devices. Although this may be the new “normal,” eye care providers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham worry about the long-term effects on children’s eyes.

Join UAB Medicine and the Transplant Life Foundation in welcoming thousands from the organ transplantation community to an exciting celebration of life this summer. The Transplant Games of America (TGA) are coming to Birmingham July 5-10, and UAB Medicine is the presenting medical partner of the Games. Also, the UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine team will be providing medical coverage for the athletes.