UAB Obesity Medicine Fellowship Program Starts in 2022
Did you know Alabama has the 7th highest rate of adult obesity and the 3rd highest diabetes and hypertension rates in the U.S.? The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism will address these statistics by offering specialized training in obesity and nutrition with its new Obesity Medicine Fellowship. The one-year program will require fellows to complete a minimum of 500 hours of training focused on evaluating and managing patients with obesity, including pre-and-post surgical care. The core faculty involved in this program include Program Director, Monica Agarwal, M.D., (Associate Professor, Endocrinology) as well as a multidisciplinary team of endocrine and nutrition specialists: Drs. Amy Warriner, Laura Rogers, Tim Garvey, Stephanie Wallace, and Richard Stahl. Applications for the 2022-2023 academic year are open until the end of August.
Read moreUAB's Longest Hospitalized COVID Patient Goes Home
On January 10, medevac helicopter pilot Ricky Hamm was admitted to the hospital for severe breathing issues caused by COVID-19. His condition was severe, and physicians had to treat Hamm with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for an unbelievable 147 days. ECMO is delivered by a device that’s similar to the heart-lung bypass machine used in open-heart surgery. It pumps and oxygenates a patient's blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest. Fortunately for Hamm, the treatment worked, and Hamm was well enough to be discharged on July 16—the day before his 51st birthday. Thanks to the entire care team for their perseverance and expertise!
Read moreClinic Offers Chemotherapy Without Requiring Hospital Admission
In December 2020, the Division of Hematology and Oncology began offering High-Dose-Ara-C (HiDAC) through the UAB Extended Care Clinic, an outpatient chemotherapy service that eliminates the need for patients to be admitted to the hospital for treatment. Prior to this service, some patients with lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphocytic leukemia who generally required minimal medical intervention would be admitted to the hospital to receive two daily infusions. Physicians report that offering this type of treatment in the ambulatory environment has been well received by patients and healthcare personnel alike.
Read moreDOM Experts Warn Delta Variant Will Become Dominant in Weeks
The Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is expected to become the dominant strain in the United States within weeks. This variant is 50 to 90 percent more infectious, and it appears to be more likely to cause hospitalizations. With only 30 percent of Alabama’s population fully vaccinated, some healthcare providers are concerned COVID-19 may resurge this fall. DOM infectious diseases experts emphasize that the mRNA vaccines are up to 90 percent effective against variants of the virus and the best way to avoid infection and serious illness is to get fully vaccinated.
Read moreBittner Receives Medicine-Pediatrics Residents' Choice Award
Vera Bittner, M.D., MSPH (Professor, Cardiovascular Disease) has been selected as the 2020-2021 Medicine-Pediatrics Residents' Choice Award Recipient for Outstanding Internal Medicine Faculty Member. This award recognizes faculty members whose mentorship significantly impacts trainees. Residents and fellows attribute this acknowledgement to Dr. Bittner’s ability to role-model excellence in patient care and her dedication to resident and fellow education. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Dr. Bittner!
Read more