Author: Emma Owen

COVID-19 related hospitalizations continue to rise nationally and state-wide. In response to this, experts urge the public to take precautions. Dr. Rachael Lee, UAB’s Hospital Epidemiologist, said that while UAB’s medical providers are continuing to battle the virus, they are growing tired. “As everyone is aware, we are seeing large increases in COVID- 19 across the United States, particularly in North Dakota and South Dakota, as well as in the midwest,” Lee said. Lee said the state of Alabama is currently at 234,000 cases of COVID-19. “Our hospitalizations are going up,” Lee said. “They are not going up as steep…

A new program is underway at UAB, as patients experience long-term effects after recovering from COVID-19. In this treatment program, patients will receive care for a variety of symptoms. Dr. Turner Overton, professor of Infectious Diseases and program medical director, said this program consists of providers that specialize in assisting patients with cardiac, neurologic, psychiatric and pulmonary symptoms. Out of these symptoms, pulmonary issues are the most prominent. “Early on in the pandemic, we really didn’t have anywhere safely to see people with COVID, and we set up an ambulatory clinic where we see people safely and make an assessment…

Holidays normally consist of families travelling across state lines to be greeted by big hugs from relatives and the sharing of food. Because of the pandemic, some members of UAB’s leadership have created ways to safely celebrate Thanksgiving. Ray Watts, UAB President, said throughout COVID-19, he has admired UAB’s ability to adapt and rise above. For him, adapting doesn’t end when the holidays roll around. “Thanksgiving is one of our special holidays where we try to always bring the family together, usually here at our home,” Watts said. “For all of those folks to come together without having quarantined for…

As cases of COVID-19 surge in Alabama, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UAB, said now is not the time for Alabamians to let their guard down. “First of all, we had a new record number of cases reported in the United States as a whole,” Marrazzo said. “Just shy of 140,000 new cases and that was accompanied by almost 1,500 people who were reported to have died of this infection.” With 62,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States, Marrazzo said we are at the highest rate since last April when we saw 59,900 hospitalizations.…

For some members of the Blazer family, Veterans Day takes on a special meaning. Walter Stewart III, director of Veterans Services at UAB and Army Veteran, said honoring those who have served in our country’s military doesn’t have to be limited to Veterans Day. “If you come across a veteran, thank them for their service,” Stewart said. “Some of them have been on multiple tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, and they’re dealing with some of those battle wounds right now. It’s important that we observe not just Veterans Day, but observe that day everyday for our veterans.” PHOTO COURTESY OF…

Inspired by her grandmother, one UAB student is turning her craft into a business, one ball of yarn at a time. Photo of Kidd modeling her own work; photo courtesy of Kidd Starris Kidd, sophomore in healthcare management, said she has been crocheting for about eight years. “I chose to express my creativity in this way because it’s a very easy outlet to allow myself to be creative,” Kidd said. “The beauty behind it is that almost anything can be made.” Kidd said that while she has been crocheting for years, she didn’t think to turn it into a business…

PHOTOS BY EMMA OWEN/These looks are from Hoover’s Plato’s Closet, a chain that carries secondhand clothing and accessories. The full fashion spread can be found in our fall themed virtual magazine.

Experts are hopeful as progress is made for a COVID-19 vaccine. After Pfizer released news of their COVID-19 vaccine trial, Dr. Paul Goepfert, professor of medicine at UAB and director of the Alabama Vaccine Research Clinic, offered insight on what to expect with the development of this vaccine. “Let’s just assume this is a vaccine that’s greater than 90 percent effective in preventing transmission of COVID,” Goepfert said. “My understanding is that what happened with the study was that Pfizer accrued 94 cases of COVID, and the majority of those greater than 90 percent were actually in the placebo arm,…

As polls begin to open across the state, one MissAlabama candidate is encouraging her fellowstudents and community members to vote. In the Miss Alabama Organization, each candidate is required to select an area of community service that is important to them, this is called a Social Impact Initiative. Tiffany Millan, Miss UAB, said she aims to increase voter participation among thecommunity through her Social Impact Initiative. “My platform is called The Importance of voting,” Millan said. “I get people registered to vote, but it’s also about instilling confidence in my peers so that they’re able to talk about what they…

Couldn’t catch the State of the University address? If so, here are the highlights. COVID-19  •UAB Hospital has treated 1,533 COVID-19 positive patients since March 25. •UAB was one of the first in the United States to test Remdesivir in clinical trials. •UAB participated in partnerships to develop the GuideSafe and Healthcheck apps. Enrollment •For the fifth consecutive year, UAB has reached record enrollment. •86.4% of students are returning. •UAB’s freshman class has an average ACT score of 25.9 and an average GPA of 3.83. •Freshmen enrolled in UAB’s Honors College have an average ACT score of 30.6 and a…