New Patient Portal provides enhanced services

University Medical Center launched a new Patient Portal in May that provides additional and enhanced online services to its patients. With the new Patient Portal, UMC patients can view and manage appointments, more easily review prescriptions and request refills, complete paperwork prior to appointments and message securely with their provider and care team. A patient…


Spring 2022 Commencement

Eight College of Community Health Sciences graduate students received their Master of Science in Population Health Sciences degrees during The University of Alabama Spring Commencement May 7. Several of the students’ faculty members from the CCHS Department of Community Medicine and Population Health attended the commencement ceremonies. From left, Dr. Joy Bradley, assistant professor, and…


Graduating medical students celebrated at banquet

Thirty-one graduates of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine Class of 2022 were recognized at the University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences Senior Banquet May 12. As a regional campus of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, the College provides clinical education for a portion of third-…


UMC physician provides non-invasive gynecological surgery

Before the introduction of non-invasive gynecologic surgery, patients would have to stay in the hospital for several days, or even weeks, due to large incisions made for procedures ranging from hysterectomies to removing ovarian cysts. Now, thanks to recent technology, patients can be back home within 24 hours. “A hysterectomy is still considered a major…


A Message from Dr. Richard Friend, Dean of the College of Community Health Sciences

March of this year marked the two-year anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic. Today in Alabama, COVID-19 positive cases are down, and hospitalizations are the lowest they have been in the past two years. The Alabama Department of Public Health reported that 90 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19…


Health Matters Podcast – Breast Feeding with Dr. McDonald

Breast milk has many advantages for babies. It boosts the baby’s immune system and is easier to digest than formula. Dr. John McDonald, an obstetrician and gynecologist at University Medical Center, explains more about the benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers. Your browser does not support the audio element. Download


Rural Health Conference poster winners

Students: 1st Place (UAB Heersink School of Medicine Student with CCHS Faculty) The Talk with Teens: Increasing Medical Student Knowledge and Comfortability with Addressing Sexual Health with Adolescent Patients Renita Daniels, Dr. Mercedes Morales-Aleman, Samantha Hill 2nd Place Stroke in West Alabama Ben Minor, Dr. William E Crawford, Travis Parker, Glenn Davis 3rd Place (UAB…


Annual CCHS conference focuses on stroke prevention

Stroke prevention was the topic of the 21st Annual Rural Health Conference hosted by the College of Community Health Sciences and its Institute for Rural Health Research. The conference, “Tightening the Stroke Belt: Prevention, Emergency Management, and Rehabilitation of Stroke in the Nation’s Most Affected Region,” was held April 14-15 at the Bryant Conference Center…


New chief residents named

Five residents of The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program were named chief residents for the 2022-23 academic year. The new chief residents and their leadership roles: Dr. Afrin Biswas – curriculum, research, quality improvement and student engagement Dr. Priya Chatha – hospital, committees, quality improvement and patient safety Dr. Nicholas Goodwin –…


CCHS raises record amount during Bama Blitz fundraising campaign

Thanks to the generous support of alumni, donors, friends, faculty and staff, the College of Community Health Sciences raised more funds than ever during The University of Alabama’s 2022 Bama Blitz online fundraising event. Gifts received totaled $66,260 and will be used to make the College’s Brewer-Porch Children’s Center Passion Project a reality and support…