At 9 years old, Ruben Vuittonet Jr. learned origami from a young boy whose father was a marine in Okinawa, Japan. Little did he know, 50 years later, he would be using this hobby to give hope to people all around the world, including at UAB Medicine.

On May 20, 2025, Grayson Pope walked across the stage at his high school graduation. The straight-A student smiled as he accepted his diploma. It was a milestone moment — one his family thought they may never witness.

UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine has donated 800 Guardian Caps to the Birmingham Youth Sports League to decrease the risk of traumatic brain injuries and concussions.

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.”

Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect that is associated with life. Each year, approximately 1,400 babies born in the United States have spina bifida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Spina bifida, usually apparent at birth, is a type of neural tube defect in which the neural tube does not completely close during development in the womb, resulting in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.

While Halloween offers fun-filled activities for families, it also raises significant safety concerns, especially related to traumatic brain injuries among trick-or-treaters.

UAB Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS) by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

At 1:13 a.m. on Sept. 19, 2022, Haley Crumpton woke up out of a dead sleep to find her then 29-year-old-husband Blake completely unresponsive.

People who’ve had a stroke often need physical therapy as part of their recovery. Though most are age 65 or older, high-intensity gait training can be the fastest way for these patients to regain their ability to walk.

The Specialty Clinics of UAB Hospital at UAB Medical West are now accepting adult patients of all ages for non-emergency care. Staffed by experienced and compassionate UAB Medicine doctors, nurses, and other professionals, these clinics are located on the 6th floor of the UAB Medical West medical office building (MOB) in Bessemer, Ala.

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.

Time is the key to preventing death and disability from stroke. So, when a patient suffering a stroke arrives at the UAB Hospital Emergency Department (ED), a rapid response team strives to provide the most appropriate care in the shortest time possible.