step program update
The Staging Transition for Every Patient (STEP) program helps young adults with complex and chronic health conditions transfer from pediatric care at Children’s of Alabama hospital to adult care at UAB Medicine. Many people with serious health conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and sickle cell disease are now living well into adulthood due to advances in treatment. The STEP program started in September 2020 to help with the transition to adult care, which can be difficult for both patients and their families due to medical and insurance changes. UAB Medicine’s STEP Program is the first formal program of its kind in Alabama and the surrounding region.
The STEP program includes a primary care clinic for patients age 18 and older that provides medical care, referrals to specialists, and an individualized transition plan for each patient and family. The goal is to prevent interruptions in medical care and provide support services – such as physical therapy, social workers, nutrition, counseling, and emergency planning – within a single primary care setting.
The program also works with adolescent patients age 14 and older at Children’s of Alabama, to begin preparing them for adult health care. This preparation is designed to help patients and their families set health priorities, establish goals, and become more independent. We are committed to assisting with this transfer process, and we work with patients to help them develop the skills needed to take responsibility for their own health when they become adults. This includes learning how to make appointments, get medications from the pharmacy, build independence, and much more. The program also works with adolescent patients and their families to help determine when to transfer to adult care, which usually is age 18-21.
In the state of Alabama, youths legally become adults at age 19, and at that point we cannot discuss the patient’s personal health information with family members without his/her consent. However, we understand and respect that many young adult patients choose to continue involving their families in health care decisions. If the patient’s condition prevents him/her from making health care decisions, we encourage parents/caregivers to consider options for supported decision-making (i.e. guardianship) prior to the patient turning 19. We will discuss this in detail during your clinic visit.
We look forward to working with you to assist with any care transition needs.
If your child is 18 or older and ready for the STEP program, please call 205.801.7474 to request a clinic appointment with Dr. Carlie Stein Somerville.
Why UAB
At the UAB Medicine Women’s Cancer Program, you receive care in the most advanced facilities from board-certified gynecologic oncologists trained in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Our experts design customized treatment plans for each patient’s individual needs and use the latest technology to screen for and treat all types of women’s reproductive cancers.
Mindful of the stress that comes with a potential cancer diagnosis, we are committed to rapid evaluation of suspected gynecologic malignancies. We pledge to see you within 72 hours of being called and commit to implementing a surgical and treatment plan within a week after that initial visit.
Your physicians at UAB Medicine are national and international leaders in gynecologic cancer and treat more gynecologic cancer patients in Alabama than any other group. Our modern clinical facilities include an embedded chemo-infusion unit. You will have access to the full range of the latest minimally invasive and open surgical techniques, including robotic surgery and complex radical surgery.
UAB Medicine is nationally renowned for our care of patients with women’s cancers. We have been recognized as one of the leading gynecologic oncology research divisions in the world and were one of five institutions to be awarded a Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in ovarian cancer by the NIH. We currently partner with Johns Hopkins University in a cervical cancer SPORE. We are dedicated to improving treatments and ultimately finding a cure for these cancers.
Our physicians have access to a large portfolio of clinical trials, which gives many patients the opportunity to receive pioneering treatments not available at other medical centers. Through our Lynne Cohen Preventive Care Program for Women's Cancer, we also offer comprehensive risk assessments and prevention strategies for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer, arming women with knowledge to make informed decisions about their cancer risk and care.
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CLINICAL TRIALS
UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.
View Clinical Trials