UAB’s Ripple Effect in 2024: Transformations Across Alabama and Future Plans for 2025

In 2024, the University of Alabama at Birmingham achieved exceptional advancements in growth and influence, aligning with its strategic blueprint, Forging Ahead, to positively transform lives throughout Alabama and beyond via education, research, innovation, economic growth, community involvement, and patient care.

UAB is now treating a higher number of patients than ever before, conducting groundbreaking research that enhances health, quality of life, and economic development, while steadily enhancing the health and revitalization of communities. This past fall, the university also provided educational opportunities to nearly 21,000 students, aiding in the development of the next generation of leaders in business, entrepreneurship, engineering, health care, public health, education, liberal arts, sciences, and various other sectors.

Here are several of the extraordinary accomplishments that occurred on campus, in Birmingham, and throughout Alabama this year — along with a preview of what lies ahead in 2025.

Throughout Alabama

In January, the UAB Health System and Infirmary Health forged a partnership to deliver collaborative, comprehensive cancer care from the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center to patients in southern Alabama, southeast Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle. Resulting from a multi-year planning initiative led by both organizations, this partnership aims to reduce cancer burdens, improve outcomes, and enhance cancer scientific discovery through expanded services and resources from both parties.

The UAB School of Dentistry marked the inauguration of UAB Dentistry Dothan with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 26. UAB Dentistry Dothan is a pioneering satellite dental clinic designed to recruit, educate, train, and retain dentists in order to enhance the dental health of individuals residing in Alabama’s Wiregrass region.

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This spring, UAB collaborated with the Children’s Policy Council of Jefferson County to introduce the CPC’s second book vending machine for children at Bessemer Family Court. Situated in the family waiting area on the second floor, this vending machine offers age-appropriate literature for families at no charge. UAB faculty and prospective teachers assist in selecting book titles and provide additional family resources to enhance reading.

In June, UAB joined forces with Whitfield Regional Hospital to establish the inaugural UAB Tele-Intensive Care Unit expanded hospital. This partnership enables Whitfield to provide round-the-clock Tele-ICU assistance, featuring a team of qualified ICU nurses and tele-intensivists stationed at UAB. The Tele-ICU facilitates essential care closer to patients’ homes, conserving crucial time and extending vital services.

UAB Medical West, part of the UAB Health System, finalized its new facility and marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11. This initiated the shift from its previous hospital site, where UAB Medical West has been established since 1964, to a modern, comprehensive hospital.

UAB, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Public Health, introduced a fresh system designed to enhance Alabama’s response to strokes. Utilizing the established Alabama Trauma and Statewide Stroke systems, they developed a model for a more cohesive and effective emergency stroke care structure. This new model was implemented across all six emergency medical services regions in the state in October 2024.

In a pioneering initiative to tackle the shortage of special education teachers, the UAB School of Education and Human Sciences collaborated with Hoover City Schools to kick off a “grow your own” program. By fall 2024, a group of Hoover educators commenced a specialized Master of Education curriculum at UAB, with the backing of scholarships and partial funding from Hoover City Schools.

In Birmingham

In January, UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine was designated as the official sports medicine provider for Lawson State Community College. 

Live HealthSmart Alabama, a UAB initiative, concluded community enhancements in Birmingham’s East Lake neighborhood and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 22.

In May, UAB Medicine commemorated the relocation and expansion of its primary care clinic in the Birmingham area with a ribbon-cutting event at its new clinic site in Lee Branch. The team at UAB Medicine Lee Branch Primary and Specialty Care caters to adult patients for various non-emergency medical issues.

The UAB Department of Pediatrics collaborated with Birmingham City Schools in the spring semester to broaden the UAB Mini Medical School. This program offers a series of both virtual and in-person experiences designed to elevate middle school students’ awareness of careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, particularly in health care.

This spring, UAB teamed up with Bama Wellness Advocacy to initiate a groundbreaking nutrition program for athletes in Birmingham City Schools. The initiative highlights the importance of proper nutrition, along with self-wellness elements such as sleep, aiming to boost the overall performance and health of student-athletes.

UAB debuted a new Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness, situated at 1 Inverness Center Parkway, Suite 200, in the fall. The clinic provides a range of elective dental and oral surgery services, including wisdom teeth extraction, dental implants, IV anesthesia, bone grafting, in-office CT scans, tooth extractions, and removal of impacted teeth.

Effective Nov. 1, 2024, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System Authority acquired Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System, which is now officially named UAB St. Vincent’s. This transition aims to ensure that patients can access top-quality healthcare in Birmingham and its surrounding areas.

The UAB Health System Authority has taken ownership of Ascension St. Vincent’s care facilities, which include hospitals in Birmingham, Blount, Chilton, East, and St. Clair, alongside the One Nineteen Campus, Trussville Freestanding Emergency Department, as well as imaging centers and associated clinics under Ascension Medical Group. The transaction encompasses Ascension St. Vincent’s services, facilities, caregivers, and staff, including an extensive network of providers serving the region.

A new outpatient care facility has entered the Birmingham skyline as Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority, affiliated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 20, for the newly established Cooper Green outpatient clinic.

At UAB

In December 2023, longtime supporter of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink, M.D., pledged an additional $5 million to his groundbreaking $95 million donation that named the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine in 2021, elevating the total naming donation to $100 million.

This contribution, which also named the Marnix E. Heersink Institute of Biomedical Innovation and the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health, was already recognized as the largest philanthropic commitment in the history of the university and is expected to make an even more significant impact now.

This spring, the new UAB Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities was inaugurated, integrating clinical services, training, and research to assist individuals and families affected by developmental disabilities in Alabama and beyond.

UAB commemorated the launch of the UAB Brain Aging and Memory Hub on April 19, made possible by the efforts of the UAB Health System and the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine.

UAB celebrated the inauguration of its Early Learning Center with a ribbon-cutting event on April 30. This new facility, positioned at 10th Avenue South and 11th Street between the Education and Engineering Complex and Birmingham City School’s EPIC Alternative Elementary, directly bolsters faculty and staff success.

UAB broadened opportunities

for property ownership in North Titusville for its staff via Blazer Home, a five-year pilot initiative that commenced in August 2024.

This autumn, Ted W. Love, M.D., the previous president and CEO of Global Blood Therapeutics, alongside Joyce Y. Love, pledged $5 million to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine to create the Ted W. Love, M.D., and Joyce Y. Love Endowed Support Fund for Sickle Cell Disease in the Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.

This fund will amplify the center’s effectiveness in crucial projects aimed at supporting individuals with sickle cell disease to lead healthier lives with fewer complications related to the disease.

UAB continued to execute its strategic agenda and Campus Master Plan by constructing new buildings. On September 20, UAB held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Student Assembly Building –– a new hub for UAB’s officially recognized student organizations.

UAB men’s basketball secured the American Athletic Conference Tournament championship in its debut season in the league with an 85-69 victory over Temple in March. This win earned the team a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last three years.

Looking forward to 2025

UAB will proceed with the construction of a new eight-story, $190 million facility for the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine and College of Arts and Sciences. The completion of this construction is anticipated by early 2027.

The Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building along with the Marnix E. Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation Conference Center is projected to open in 2025. Funding for this project comes from a mix of philanthropic contributions from UAB supporters, including the Altec/Styslinger Foundation and Marnix and Mary Heersink, alongside $50 million from the state of Alabama through the Public School and College Authority, and an extra $5 million from Jefferson County.

The construction of the new Gorrie Hall, part of the Science and Engineering Complex, is expected to be finished by the summer of 2025. This facility will house the School of Engineering and support its objectives related to recruiting faculty, increasing grant funding, and training the upcoming generation of engineers.

UAB’s new inpatient rehabilitation facility is set to be inaugurated in 2025. This $156.7 million, 350,000-square-foot project will replace the existing Spain Rehabilitation Center. The structure will consist of 11 stories and will provide 78 rehabilitation beds, 28 acute care beds, and advanced technology specifically designed to offer comprehensive rehabilitation services for patients from Alabama and beyond.

UAB Hospital anticipates further growth of the University Emergency Department in 2025. The long-term strategy for the $73 million expansion of UED will encompass 66,030 square feet of new construction, which includes 59 new examination rooms and increased imaging capabilities for emergency medical care. Design work for this expansion is ongoing.

Live HealthSmart Alabama will celebrate a ribbon-cutting for the Phase 1 completion of community enhancements in Selma in February 2025.

UAB affiliate Southern Research’s primary biotech center will lead the development of 117,000 square feet of space featuring four floors and a basement, including new wet laboratory space for life sciences. Construction commenced in 2022 and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025.

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