UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Robert Hollis, M.D., M.S.P.H., was recently interviewed in General Surgery News to describe the role of the UAB Surgery Community Network in addressing challenges for rural surgery in Alabama.

Hollis is part of a team of UAB surgeons in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, led by Dr. Gregory Kennedy, who provide surgical support to four regional hospitals in the state: Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis, Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama in Greenville, Russell Medical Center in Alexander City, and Northwest Regional Health in Winfield.

Since the rural surgery initiative began, the supported hospitals have been able to recruit a surgeon for each facility. The newly-hired physicians include Lacey Swenson, Quince Gibson, Manu Kaushik, and Joseph Walker. 

As partners in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery practicing in these rural locations, these surgeons have access to an extensive support network offered by UAB, which includes peer mentorship, call coverage, connection to a higher level of care, and professional development opportunities.

"And that, I think, is the cool thing about this, because you've got a young surgeon now connected to a rich division of people of expertise and professional support," notes Hollis in the article.

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