The University Medical Center switchboard, shown here in 1968, was located inside University Hospital. As the largest private board exchange in the state, it employed a team of 16, which was responsible for the hospital’s paging and emergency alarm systems in addition to operating the switchboard.
Since 1968, UAB has done nothing but grow — but never stopped its quest to lead the pack. Then, UAB Hospital operated the largest switchboard in Alabama, and this year (again), it was ranked the No. 1 hospital in the state by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, four medical specialties were ranked in the top 20 in the nation, and six more were ranked in the top 50. Other specialties were listed as “high-performing.”