ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to the extraordinary need for social distancing, The University of Alabama is operating under limited business operations, which includes essential staffing and remote work assignments. Our goal is to promote social distancing and limit on campus work to the fullest extent possible.
While employees in the department of communications are working remotely, they are available to assist members of the media. Reporters are encouraged to contact the sources below or to use our experts directory to find contact information for other subject matter experts.
BEST BETS
UMC UTILIZES TECHNOLOGY TO REACH PATIENTS, COMMUNITY – In an effort to be more accessible to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, University Medical Center has transitioned its evening clinic hours to evening telemedicine hours and will host weekly virtual town halls starting April 10. Telemedicine visits are available to existing and new patients Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Patients wishing to schedule an evening telemedicine appointment should call UMC in Tuscaloosa at 205-348-1770 during regular hours of operation, which are 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. UMC’s virtual town halls, created through a partnership with WVUA, will take place every Friday on UMC’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. and will be hosted by Dr. Tom Weida, chief medical officer at UMC. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
UA DELIVERING PPE TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS – Through April 10, two groups at The University of Alabama delivered more than 2,000 face shields to use as personal protective equipment, or PPE, for health care workers across Alabama. One group, an effort involving the colleges of Engineering and Community Health Sciences as well as the Culverhouse College of Business, is scheduled to deliver 894 face shields. The Alabama Productivity Center, part of Culverhouse, is scheduled to deliver 1,200 face shields through its partnership with Alabama Power Company and UAB Hospital. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Communications, adam.jones@ua.edu.
UA PROGRAM HELPS SMALL BUSINESS IMPACTED BY COVID-19 – The Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, based at The University of Alabama’s Office for Research and Economic Development, is providing direct assistance to small businesses in Alabama in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Communications, adam.jones@ua.edu.
UA SATELLITE TEAM OFFERING VIRTUAL SPACE LESSONS – UA Students building a small satellite as part of a NASA program are continuing their outreach efforts to state schools during the COVID-19 pandemic through online lessons. The students in the group, called UASpace, created lessons using Alabama math and science standards that teach about space, satellites and space exploration. The lessons are available on an open Google Drive, and are an extension of their efforts this school year to bring space-centered lessons into classrooms in rural areas of the state. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Communications, adam.jones@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
UA EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS ISSUES AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC – Faculty at The University of Alabama are available to discuss aspects of the coronavirus pandemic including topics related to health care, education and the economy. This list will be updated, so check back often for new sources. For assistance with reaching any of these sources or for topics not highlighted, please contact Shane Dorrill, assistant director of communications, at shane.dorrill@ua.edu.
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY – “Individuals in recovery from substance use disorders are at increased risk for potential relapse during this time of social distancing,” said Dr. Tricia Witte, associate professor in UA’s department of human development and family studies. “Routines and schedules have been disrupted, social support has been reduced and isolation at home can cause changes in mood or interpersonal conflict that can serve as triggers for relapse. Individuals in recovery should think about setting new routines, finding creative ways to connect with their support networks, staying focused on self-care and finding ways to help others such as sewing cloth masks or making cards to send to residents at nursing homes.” Witte is available for interviews and can be reached at twitte@ches.ua.edu.
NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON TOPICS MAKING NEWS? – See our frequently updated expert directory here.
VISIT THE UA NEWS CENTER FOR STORY IDEAS AT https://www.ua.edu/news/.