In a mental health crisis, people are more likely to encounter police than get medical help, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. As a result, more than 2 million people with mental illness are booked into jails each year, and the vast majority of these individuals are not violent criminals. “They get arrested…

The University of Alabama-Pickens County Partnership hosted a health fair earlier this month at the Pickens County Medical Center Healthplex in Carrollton, Alabama, to provide information about health care resources in the community. There were also free health screenings available for blood pressure, weight and cholesterol, and people had the opportunity to review their results…

Dr. Robert McKinney, assistant professor of Social Work for the College, was tapped as the faculty advisor for the Carl A. Elliott Society, a student-led, community service based organization at UA that works to better society through social justice and community service. The Elliott Society is named in honor of the late Carl Atwood Elliott,…

Dr. Dan Avery, director of Medical Student Recruitment and Scholarship for the College and a professor of Community Medicine and Population Health, received a Distinguished Service Award from the Medical Association of the State of Alabama earlier this month. Avery received the honor for his work with MASA’s Council on Medical Education Committee. The council…

Dr. Jane Weida, associate professor of Family Medicine for the College and associate director of its Family Medicine Residency, completed a fellowship with the National Institute for Program Director Development in March. The fellowship is awarded by the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors. As part of the program, fellows engage with and learn from…

Dr. Pamela Payne-Foster, associate professor of Community Medicine and Population Health for the College, received a 2017 Distinguished Community-Engaged Scholar Award from UA’s Council on Community-Based Partnerships. Each spring semester, the council recognizes students, faculty, staff and their community partners for excellence in community-based research. The Distinguished Community-Engaged Scholar Award recognizes a faculty member, student…

Three resident physicians in the College’s Family Medicine Residency were selected chief residents for the 2017-2018 academic year. They are Drs. Steven Kelton, Brianna Kendrick and Natalie Kuijpers. Residency Director Dr. Richard Friend says the three have demonstrated academic and clinical excellence as well as an ability to work well with team members. They were…

In the South, we love our sweet tea. But as a whole, Americans are consuming too much sugar, and a good portion of that comes from beverages. A long-term sugar surplus leads to issues like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. University Medical Center Registered Dietician Suzanne Henson said down here, sugar is an epidemic. “It…

The practice of medicine has experienced many changes over the years, but one thing that has stayed consistent over time is the importance of physician-patient communication, said Dr. Dan Avery, an obstetrician-gynecologist who has practiced in Alabama for more than 30 years. He shared key takeaways from his years in practice in a presentation April…

Dr. Rick Streiffer with the University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences said most people experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Most times, it’s treatable without a doctor’s intervention — heat, over-the-counter medications and rest go a long way to helping a hurting back. “It is one of the most…