The UAB Outpatient Clinical Decision Unit (OCDU) expanded in early September, relocating to P7 in the West Pavilion and greatly increasing its capacity to 51 observation and treatment spaces. Formally created in July 2015 to help ease demand for inpatient beds, the unit delivers nursing-driven care for non-emergency patients who need more attention than an outpatient visit provides but less than a full hospital admission.

UAB Medicine is the Best Medical or Healthcare Workplace and the Best Workplace for Technology/Research according to the 2018 Best of Birmingham awards, which are voted on by readers of Birmingham magazine and featured in its September edition.

UAB nurse leaders recently discussed how to confront and stop workplace bullying. By joining #NursesSupportTheirYoung, they pledged to reinforce kindness, compassion, and civility in the workplace. Take a moment to consider how you can support those around you, sign the pledge along with us, and don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel that you’ve witnessed bullying or been bullied yourself.

The UAB Medicine Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit, the first such specialty unit in Alabama, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Supported by UAB Hospital-Highlands and the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, the unit was created to address geriatric syndromes that can negatively impact outcomes for frail, older adult patients during a hospitalization.

UAB Medicine staff are known for their compassion toward patients and coworkers alike during difficult times. So when one of the nurses in The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital Infusion Clinic was diagnosed with a brain tumor earlier this year, fellow employees stepped up to show their support.

UAB Medicine nurses do extraordinary things every day, going above and beyond for our patients and living our Core Values. Their stories of excellence are passed along too seldom, so let’s give kudos to the three nurses highlighted below, who each earned recognition for devoting themselves to advancing the profession and furthering their education.

Nurses at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are known for providing exceptional care and going above and beyond for their patients. Brenda Peoples, a patient undergoing acute leukemia care in UAB’s Hematology/Oncology unit, experienced just how far her nurses were willing to go to bring her and her boyfriend a special moment of happiness that could impact them for a lifetime.

UAB Medicine nursing services staff celebrated at a variety of events May 6 – 12. Between unit happenings, talent shows, award ceremonies, and BHAM Nurses Night Out, there was plenty to participate in. Thanks to all our nurses for all that you do!

Nurse Michael Lovelace has been training his colleagues in high-quality CPR for more than three decades, including the past 16 years in the emergency department of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.

Within the first year of implementation, the UAB Division of Gynecologic Oncology (Gyn/Onc) is experiencing success with the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway for its elective total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy patient populations.