WellStone is offering Alabama veterans and first responders a no-cost option for the stellate ganglion block, or SGB – an outpatient injection that targets a neck nerve cluster and has shown promise for easing hyperarousal and other post-traumatic stress symptoms.  The effort began in Cullman with local VFW leaders and state lawmakers and now operates […]

Advertisements for GLP-1 weight loss medications are ubiquitous, appearing on television and social media platforms. They can raise awareness regarding available assistance for individuals suffering from obesity who seek treatment; however, when directed towards inappropriate audiences, they may pose significant risks. Although reputable pharmaceutical companies are prohibited from disseminating misleading weight loss advertisements, telemedicine firms […]

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has renewed a five-year, $5.75 million grant for the Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The Birmingham center is one of only eight nationwide focused on advancing research in the biology of aging. The center is […]

James Clements, CEO of Cullman Regional Medical Center, has been appointed by Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) to serve on the Alabama Rural Roadmap Initiative. The initiative, formed during the 2025 legislative session under Gudger’s leadership, is designed to develop strategies that support growth and development in Alabama’s rural communities. “Healthcare services in […]

Southern Research celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art biotechnology center Aug. 12, a major milestone that doubles the organization’s lab capacity and significantly expands its ability to combat chronic illnesses, cancer and infectious diseases.   The $98 million facility reinforces Southern Research’s commitment to advancing human health and addressing some of the most pressing biomedical […]

Alabama’s hospitals, universities, and training programs could soon see a major infusion of funding after the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recently advanced its FY2026 Labor–HHS–Education funding bill. The package includes more than $28.6 million in Congressionally directed spending for Alabama — funding that U.S. Senator Katie Britt, a member of the committee, helped secure. Later […]

UnitedHealthcare members will continue to have uninterrupted access to UAB Health System providers following an agreement in principle between the two organizations. The new health insurance contract, once finalized, will allow patients to receive care from all UAB and UAB-affiliated medical providers without disruption. Both parties have committed to a one-week period to finalize the […]

A new national report shows Alabama is making significant progress in expanding access to health care by drawing in more physicians from other states through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLCC). According to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the state has seen a 126 percent increase in the number of medical licenses issued through […]

UAB Hospital has once again been named the top hospital in both Alabama and the Birmingham metro area, according to the 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings released Tuesday. This marks the 12th consecutive year the hospital has received the No. 1 ranking in the state. “Being recognized as the top hospital […]

A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) warns that accidental overdoses of popular injectable weight-loss medications have risen sharply in recent years, as more patients turn to the drugs for weight loss and diabetes management. Some examples of these types of drugs include Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Victoza […]

In what it calls a historic investment in emergency services, Huntsville Hospital Health System is planning to build free-standing emergency departments in North Huntsville and the Hampton Cove area. A project underway in Madison will increase the emergency department by six beds, increasing capacity by 25%, the system said in a news release. RELATED: Huntsville […]

Two young ladies from Madison, Alabama, have important plans for today. For the third year in a row, Maelin-Kate Carlson and her best friend, Landri Kruse, will operate a neighborhood lemonade stand to support the important work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The stand will be open at the Heritage Station Subdivision Pool area, […]

The Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA) has announced a major leadership transition with the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Don Williamson. The AlaHA Board of Trustees has named Danne Howard as his successor as President and CEO of the organization. Williamson has led AlaHA since November 2015, steering the organization through a period of major […]

I don’t prescribe medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. But more and more of my patients are taking them. And sometimes, the sources of these medications are murky. GLP-1 medications, originally developed for diabetes, have become extremely popular for weight loss. When prescribed by a qualified doctor and filled through a legitimate pharmacy, they can be […]

The recently formed nonprofit, The Renewal Project, has announced its official launch this month with a mission to provide financial assistance to Alabamians seeking mental or behavioral health care, including services for substance abuse recovery. The groundbreaking organization looks to address the most constant barrier to reliable care for these patients: cost. The Renewal Project […]

More than 70 soldiers from the 7245th Medical Support Unit of the Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, New Jersey, including augmentees from supporting and partner units, participated in the inaugural Reserve Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Mobile-Washington, or MOWA, Choctaw Wellness at the MOWA Choctaw Indian Reservation, bringing no-cost military medical, dental, vision and veterinary services directly to the community.   […]

The Alabama Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) took significant steps this month toward expanding medical services in key areas of need across the state, including mental health, geriatric care, and rehabilitation. According to Alabama Political Reporter (APR), the proposals were reviewed and approved during the SHCC’s June meeting, as part of the state’s broader efforts […]

Huntsville Hospital is expanding access to specialty care across the Tennessee Valley through a new telemedicine program launched earlier this year. According to Huntsville Hospital, the initiative began in February 2025, focusing on behavioral health services, and later expanded to include neurological care, including 24/7 stroke assessment. The program utilizes state-of-the-art telemedicine carts and Wi-Fi […]

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has officially joined the growing list of Alabama leaders stepping up—and cooling down—for mental health awareness as part of the Ice Bucket Challenge launched by Longleaf Recovery & Wellness. The initiative, which began earlier this spring, has already seen figures such as meteorologist James Spann and Longleaf leaders participate in the […]

The Guinness World Records holders for the most premature surviving quadruplets celebrated their first birthday on May 31, 2025, marking a milestone many once thought impossible. Born at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital at just 23 weeks and 4 days’ gestation, the Bryant quadruplets — Lainey, Kali, Lennon, and Koen — have […]

Children’s of Alabama has been named to Newsweek’s 2025 rankings of “America’s Greatest Workplaces” and “America’s Greatest Workplaces in Healthcare.” The recognition, developed in partnership with Plant‑A Insights Group, highlights organizations that have demonstrated a strong commitment to employee satisfaction and workplace quality. The rankings were based on over 400,000 confidential employee interviews and more than 4.9 […]

For Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, giving back to the community is at the heart of their mission—to strengthen the health, well-being, and quality of life for individuals and families across the state. The Caring Foundation (TCF) is the charitable giving arm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. It is dedicated to […]

An eye-opening moment with a powerful message unfolded this week at Longleaf Recovery & Wellness of Birmingham, when meteorologist James Spann and program director Paul Bryant Jr. participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for mental health. In a video shared on Longleaf’s Facebook page, which has drawn over 1,000 views and dozens […]

Huntsville Hospital officials responded to a survey critical of its patient safety practices, calling it an “affront” to dedicated caregivers and first responders. The survey by Leapfrog gave Huntsville Hospital an “F” for patient safety and medical issues. Twice a year, the Leapfrog Group releases grades on nearly 3,000 general acute-care hospitals nationwide. The overall grade is […]