Category Archives: Medical

A new sign for a converted historic building in Ensley

newsignensleytheaterThere’s a new Baptist Health Center sign on the building that originally housed the Ensley Theatre along Avenue E on Birmingham’s west side. It is a more public declaration of the announcement last September of Dr. Roswell Ashford’s joining the Baptist Heath Centers and Baptist Princeton Medical Center.

This photo was taken as crews were finishing up the installation on Thursday, March 27. The OB/GYN practice opened in late 2012 as an affiliate of Jefferson Clinic, P.C., and is located blocks away from the current Western Health Center, an urgent care clinic, and the Bethesda Life Center. It’s also a block away from the 10-story, long-vacant Ramsay-McCormack Building. Princeton Baptist recently announced Ashford would have office hours on their main campus on Tuesday afternoons beginning next week (April 1).

No, it’s not Pole Position

It is a great new tool available at UAB to help get patients back on the road… It may also help avoid the estimated 4,000 – 8,000 crashes per year caused by distracted drivers as reported by AAA.

Some drivers are dealing with certain types of illnesses or they are elderly. Enter the $100,000 driving simulator at the UAB Driving Assessment Clinic funded in part by the National Institute on Aging.

The interactive simulator allows for patients to be tested for 30 minute sessions using a 130° field of view and giving them an opportunity to experience several different types of driving conditions.

Hospitals in the news this week

So for those that missed it this week, there were two significant developments in our local medical community, both involving new homes for long time institutions. On Wednesday, Childrens Hospital received approval from the state (and uncontested) to move forward with plans for a 700,000 square foot, $480 million replacement/expansion facility on its downtown Birmingham campus. They also received approval to add 57 licensed beds to its existing 275 bed capacity.

This preceded yesterday’s unanimous vote by the Birmingham City Council’s Committee of the Whole for approval of tax incentives for Trinity Medical Center‘s proposed hospital along U.S. 280. The package which includes incentives for adjacent property development, could total $55 million if it is approved during Tuesday’s council meeting. Who know’s what’s next?

The doctor is in (Fast Company)

Dr. James Andrews is likely one Birmingham’s best known surgeons, especially to the professional athletes and wrestlers that visit the city seeking his opinion on their latest injury. The good doctor is the focus of an article in the upcoming September issue of the magazine Fast Company (#128 for those of you keeping track at home).

While they haven’t changed the website to reflect the issue that started arriving in mailboxes yesterday (it starts on page 104 if you’ve already received it), when they do, be prepared to check out the list of 78 of the athletes that have paid a visit to The Magic City for his services. Of course, you can always read the bio on his practice’s site too.

Random Shots: Loose change benefits area charities

 Jake John And Emily Wittig At Bandit Bash 2007

Jake, John, and Emily Wittig all served as 2007 Change Bandits in support of Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network.

These three dynamic youth saved more than $1,200 over the past year in change to support Children’s Hospital. More than $8,000 in change and more than $75,000 in cash and credit pledges were colleceted during last week’s 3-day radiothon broadcast on Magic 96.5 and 103.7 The Q.

Photo credit: Bob Farley/f8photo 

Schaeffer supports contact solution recall

We’re quite sure that many of you reading this did not know that Birmingham’s own Jack Schaeffer serves as the chair of the Contact Lens and Cornea section of the American Optometric Association (AOA). Well, many more people are aware of his role with that organization after an announcement made earlier this week used quotes from the founder of Schaeffer Eye Center (who BTW, is sporting a brand new website).

Continue reading

UAB opens adult Down Syndrome Clinic

UAB has announced the creation of one of the only adult Down Syndrome clinics in the United States. It results from improvements in treatment and diagnosis of the condition.

This story, most likely the original press release announcing the clinic’s creation, expands on the reasons for the creation of the clinic and some of its features. Continue reading