UAB Briefs: Wallace’s name removed from campus facility, new vaccination site
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
We also provide updates regarding UAB’s efforts to cope with the COVID-19.
Let us know about people, events and programs on campus that deserve a mention in UAB Briefs. Email jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
And remember that the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Continue to follow all of the usual protocols and stay safe.
REMOVING WALLACE'S NAME
The former George C. Wallace Building on the UAB campus was renamed the Physical Education Building effective Friday, Feb. 5, after a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System.
The decision followed a unanimous recommendation by a working group charged with reviewing named buildings on campuses in the system based on a list of values including integrity, leadership, accountability, diversity, inclusion and respect, according to UAB News.
George Wallace — the 45th governor of Alabama and a third-party presidential candidate in 1968 — was widely known for his bitter opposition to integration in the civil rights era of the late 1950 and early 1960s.
“This is simply the right thing to do,” said Trustee Judge John England Jr., who represents the Board workgroup. “The UA System, the Board of Trustees, our working group and our campuses recognize Governor Wallace’s complex legacy, including the well-known acceptance of his apology by civil rights icon John Lewis. That said, his stated regret late in life did not erase the effects of the divisiveness that continue to haunt the conscience and reputation of our state.”
To read the resolution passed by the board, click here.
To watch a video of England’s remarks, click here.
NEW VACCINATION SITE
UAB Medicine announced Feb. 5 the opening of its third community COVID-19 vaccination site on Thursday, Feb. 11 at Parker High School, located at 400 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. in Birmingham.
Like the sites at UAB Hospital-Highlands and the Hoover Met, the Parker location will serve all residents identified by the Alabama Department of Public Health as eligible to register to receive vaccines, according to UAB News.
“We have been working as quickly as we can with our community partners in Birmingham and Hoover to stand these three sites up,” said Dr. Sarah Nafziger, assistant vice president of UAB Clinical Support Services. “We are all extremely excited to have the ability to get more shots in arms. These vaccines are our way out of the epidemic, and we want to do all we can to help get Alabama out of this as quickly as possible.”
To request a vaccination appointment and see a list of groups that are currently eligible, go to uabmedicinevaccine.org.
Once a person submits their registration, he or she will receive no further communication from UAB until there is an appointment time available. At that point, the person will receive a communication from Phreesia to confirm an appointment location and time.
People who are eligible to receive the vaccine but lack internet access are advised to ask a family member, friend or neighbor to help them register online.
To read the Vaccine Allocation Plan created by the Alabama Department of Public Health, click here.
TIME FOR DARWIN DAY
Each February, the UAB Department of Biology hosts its Darwin Day events to honor the birthday of legendary evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin and celebrate scientific research.
On Friday, Feb. 12, the ninth annual Darwin Day will take a closer look at COVID-19 with a virtual event called “Behind the Science at UAB: Integrating Research and Medicine to Respond to the Pandemic,” according to UAB News.
Attendees will hear from Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases; Dr. Paul Goepfert, a professor of medicine; and Dr. Nathan Erdmann, an assistant professor of medicine. They will talk about their work to coordinate treatment, conduct clinical trials and lead other safety initiatives.
The virtual event will run from noon-1:30 p.m. It s free and open to the general public. For details on the 2021 Darwin Day, click here.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the enormous contributions made to this country by African-Americans. UAB is taking part with numerous events and activities. For details on the UAB Campus Calendar, click here.