UAB Briefs: Virtual run for scholarships, new COVID-19 clinic
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on the UAB campus, as well as the university's efforts to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic,
In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the university recently cancelled all events and activities scheduled to take place on campus during the remainder of the spring semester.
In addition, UAB academics is operating in an online/alternative format with no in-person instruction for the remainder of the term.
For the latest updates on UAB’s response to COVID-19 and health information, visit uab.edu/coronavirus.
VIRTUAL RUN
The UAB National Alumni Society will host the 14th annual UAB National Alumni Society Scholarship Run on Saturday, April 25.
However, the event will be different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release from UAB Media Relations.
Due to the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, the run will be held virtually.
Participants can run a 5K or 10K and run from anywhere they want. There is also a non-running option.
The virtual run will allow participants to stay active during social distancing and reduce stress while also contributing to student scholarships.
Started in 2007, the Scholarship Run has allowed the National Alumni Society to raise nearly $810,000 for scholarships.
The registration fee is $35. UAB students receive a $10 discount.
To register for the virtual run, click here.
All participants will receive a packet in the mail with a t-shirt, finisher medal and drink ticket redeemable at an upcoming UAB NAS football tailgate.
For more information, go to alumni.uab.edu.
COVID-19 CLINIC
A new clinic to treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19 has opened at UAB.
The COVID Respiratory Clinic — operated by the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine — is open to existing UAB Health System patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing progressive symptoms at home, according to UAB Media Relations.
The clinic is located in the Regions Bank building at 539 Richard Arrington Blvd. and is open Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m.
“We want to identify persons who need hospital admission and prevent rapid progressive disease,” said Dr. Turner Overton, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases. “Early hospitalization, when needed, can save many lives. This clinic will keep patients from having to go to the emergency room, where wait times can cause delays in evaluation and also place other patients at risk for COVID-19 infection.”
Patients will first complete a telehealth or phone visit with a UAB Medicine provider.
Based on their assessment, they may then be referred to the COVID Respiratory Clinic to identify those who need hospital admission. Otherwise, they will be prescribed medications and therapies to help them continue to recuperate at home.
The new clinic is a collaboration between doctors in infectious diseases, internal medicine, and family and community medicine.
“Seeing people come together in a time of crisis is amazing,” said Irfan Asif, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. “:We were able to take a process that might normally take a year and put this clinic together within days.”
SIGNS OF SUPPORT
The Arts in Medicine (AIM) program at UAB Hospital helps to promote healing in patients by focusing on the needs of the whole person — mind, body and spirit.
A collaboration between the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center and UAB Medicine, AIM — under the direction of Kimberly Kirklin —includes both interactive and passive arts experiences, which can include bedside and workshop activities
And the artists at AIM are now creating colorful signs of support for the nurses, doctors and members of the environmental services and facilities staff at UAB Hospital who are working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to UAB Media Relations.
The inspirational messages have cheerful colors and designs and are being painted at home by artists-in-residence Elizabeth Vander Kamp, Haleigh Black, Helene Taylor, Lauren Edwards, Lillis Taylor, Valerie Hanks and Kim McKenzie.
“We want the whole of UAB hospital’s staff to know that we’re thinking of them and that we support them during this scary, difficult time,” Taylor said.
AIM also invites people to create their own messages of gratitude or support and use the hashtag #uabmedicineheroes to share them on social media.