Faculty Development Fellowship applications open for 2021-2022
The Department of Family and Community Medicine, in partnership with the UAB Center for Teaching and Learning and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, began offering a 10-month primary care faculty development fellowship in 2019. Since then, 17 fellows have completed the program and 16 more are set to graduate on June 11, 2021.
The fellowship invests in senior residents and junior faculty who are interested in academic medicine and educating medical students. Focus areas include teaching, scholarship, leadership, and practice transformation. Michael Wiederman, Ph.D., director of the Office of Leadership and Professional Development, and Irfan Asif, M.D., department chair and associate dean for rural health and primary care, co-direct the fellowship alongside Becky Reamey, Ph.D., program director for the Center for Clinical and Translational Skills Training Academy, and Scott Phillips, Ph.D., director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.
“When I first came to UAB, many faculty members on campus and at our regional campuses wanted more training and professional development,” said Asif. “This fellowship offers participants the chance to grow in a rigorous and collaborative program.”
Fellows attend monthly training sessions on Fridays each month, conduct a group study project, develop a teaching philosophy and leadership statement, and learn from primary care and professional development experts throughout the fellowship.
“The fellowship enriched my professional skills, my teaching techniques, and uplifted my capacity in research writing,” said Sumayah Abed, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and 2021 graduate of the fellowship. “Most importantly, it expanded my professional network through the monthly opportunities to meet with leaders in my field, mentors, faculty members, and others who widened my scope of vision as a faculty member.”
The fellowship is open to family medicine and primary care senior residents, junior faculty, and faculty members. The 2021-2022 fellowship application is now open.
Learn more about the Faculty Development Fellowship here or by contacting Michael Wiederman, Ph.D.
Honeywell receives G. Gayle Stephens, M.D. award
Each year, the Department of Family and Community Medicine presents the G. Gayle Stephens, M.D. Award to a graduating medical student pursuing family medicine. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated leadership, professionalism, academic performance, and interpersonal skills. Brandon Honeywell, M.D., was presented with the award during a virtual ceremony on May 20, 2021.
This award honors G. Gayle Stephens, M.D. and his contributions to family medicine throughout his career. Stephens served as the first dean of the School of Primary Medical Care in Huntsville, Alabama, and was a chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UAB. Beyond his clinical achievements, Stephens also founded one of the first family medicine residencies in Wichita, Kansas in 1969. After his retirement, Stephens was named a professor emeritus of family and community medicine at UAB in 1988.
While a medical student, Honeywell served as a co-head coordinator for the Internal Medicine Interest Group, was a member of the Argus Society, and volunteered at the COVID-19 Contact and Recovery Tracing site at UAB Hospital. Honeywell also worked as a peer mentor for medical students, a clinical skills teaching associate, and completed several scholarly research projects with UAB School of Medicine faculty. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians.
“Brandon built great rapport with patients and staff, and showed excellent medical knowledge and skill during his time in medical school,” said B. Earl Salser, M.D., director of medical student education and associate professor for the department. “He will make an outstanding future family physician.”
When asked about his future as a family medicine physician, Honeywell remarked on the impact the specialty has had on his life.
“Family medicine has been a part of my life since as early as I can remember as my father is a family physician,” said Honeywell. “I chose to pursue family for two reasons: the long-term patient relationships and the broad scope of practice available to practitioners. This is a very rewarding field.”
Honeywell will complete a family medicine residency at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center beginning this year. The department would like to congratulate Honeywell on this achievemen
Celebrate physical and mental health during May with our sports medicine faculty
May is both National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, but did you know that these two topics share some of the same best practices?
With so much information available on how to keep healthy and fit, it can be overwhelming to focus on the best way to take care of yourself. Faculty members from the Department of Family and Community Medicine worked together to share four tips for maintaining a healthy mind and body.
Tip One: Get up and out, every day
Ian McKeag, M.D., is the program director for the UAB-Cahaba Sports Medicine Fellowship and an assistant professor in the department. He tells his patients to set a goal and to move their bodies for a set amount of time each day.
“Not everyone has the ability or the finances to join a gym, but nearly everyone can walk,” said McKeag. “Tell yourself that you are going to be out of the house or active for a least 30-60 minutes per day and stick to that goal.”
McKeag noted that setting a time-based goal helps his patients improve mobility over time and encourages physical activity in an accessible way.
Tip Two: Being active counts
“Remember that being ‘active’ counts as exercise,” noted Kim Fagan, M.D., associate professor and chief of the department’s sports medicine division. “Work in the garden, take the stairs at work, do squats while you talk on the phone, or complete a simple arm workout while watching the news.”
Fagan encourages her patients to have an active mindset and reminds them that small activities throughout the day add up to increase physical strength and health.
Tip Three: Build habits to support mental health
According to Kaylee Crockett, Ph.D., assistant professor and clinical psychologist, many people have gotten more creative about their physical activity routine during the pandemic.
“Studies have shown that individuals of all ages who maintained or increased their physical activity during the pandemic reported less anxiety and depressive symptoms, and a greater sense of well-being,” said Crockett.
By prioritizing physical activity and exercise, Crockett says that people can improve their mental health and general outlook.
“Now is a good time to reflect on what works well in terms of physical activity, especially as we transition back to ‘normal’ in the coming months,” she said. “Routines like the make-shift home gym, lunch hour walks or activity breaks, and increased outdoor time are worth keeping as ways to improve and maintain mental health.”
Tip Four: Find something you enjoy (and hydrate!)
Irfan Asif, M.D., chair for the department, asks his patients what they enjoy when encouraging increased physical activity.
“Don’t let yourself get discouraged if you don’t like a certain type of exercise,” said Asif. “The most important part of physical activity and exercise is staying active doing things you enjoy and trying new things to keep yourself motivated.”
Asif also reminds his patients and others to stay hydrated while completing workouts or outdoor activities. He recommends drinking water every 15 minutes during an hour of exercise and drinking a beverage with electrolytes if the activity exceeds an hour, especially during the summer.
Physical activity and exercise play a vital role in overall health and wellness, including mental health. As summer approaches, explore new ways to stay healthy with these physical activity and wellness tips from the Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Faculty highlights from the Annual AMSSM Meeting
The American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM) is an organization dedicated to supporting growth in the sports medicine field. AMSSM offers educational resources, research opportunities, and collaboration among sports medicine physicians around the world. Irfan Asif, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, has been involved with AMSSM since medical school.
Read moreDepartment offers three new course electives for medical students
As part of the School of Medicine’s spring 2021 curriculum offerings, faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine led three elective courses related to research, inclusion, and leadership. Each course allowed students to learn more about their interests and space to explore new ideas related to their future careers in medicine.
Holding Space: Power of Storytelling in Medicine
Brandi Shah, M.D., MPH, is the director of the department’s Office of Identity, Inclusion and Collective Conscience. Shah practices at the Student Health Clinic on campus and is an active community advocate for equity in healthcare. Shah led an elective course intended to help students understand the importance of storytelling and relationship-building with patients as they continue their medical training.
Shah met with four students—two MS2s and two MS3s—weekly to collaborate with them and their community storytellers. The first few classes introduced students to community engagement and story work. After these discussions, four class sessions were devoted to rapport-building with the group and activities aimed at helping the students engage with stories in an empathetic and creative way. The last five weeks of the course gave students time to complete the storytellers’ digital stories for an exhibit at Vinegar Contemporary, a local arts nonprofit.
The community storytellers shared their experiences with the students and collaborated on a digital presentation of some of their medical experiences as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I offered this course because I believe that stories and storytelling/sharing are at the core of medical practice and relationship building with patients,” said Shah. “The most rewarding part of the course was witnessing the personal and group transformations that occurred between and because of the medical student and community storyteller interactions.”
Jasper Kennedy was one of the students in Shah’s class this spring. Kennedy remarked on the impact the class had on their education and future career.
“Being part of the course helped me practice one of the most valuable skills a physician can have—how to bear witness to another person’s struggles,” said Kennedy. “It was so impactful to collaborate with members of our community who are often silenced and to get their stories out into the world. I’m grateful for the vulnerability that our storytellers showed in sharing about their lives and specifically their interactions with the healthcare system. I will be taking the listening, support, and advocacy skills I gained in the process into my future interactions with patients.”
The students’ and community storytellers’ digital stories exhibition, “Holding Space: One Entity Embracing All,” is available for screenings on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. or by appointment at Vinegar through May 15.
Shah plans to offer the course again in spring 2022. Interested students may reach out to her or to the Office of Identity, Inclusion, and Collective Conscience to learn more.
Health Psychology and Wellness in Primary Care
Michael Wiederman, Ph.D., director of the department’s Office of Leadership and Professional Development, held his second elective course this spring after a successful course on leadership in fall 2020. Wiederman explored the importance of psychology in primary care with his class, which was made up of 11 students in their second and third years of medical school.
“I was really impressed with the attitude of these students,” said Wiederman. “They invested in this course and took a collaborative approach to their learning and development.”
The course included pre-work reading and recorded lectures to study before virtual meetings, where Wiederman led discussions and active application exercises based on the material. Wiederman decided to offer the course to give medical students the chance to deepen their understanding of the scope of primary care and the application of psychology practices, such as motivational interviewing and intentional referring, in treating patients with mental health concerns.
Even if students do not continue into a psychology specialty, this course helped them become better physicians by exposing them to potential mental health hurdles that future patients may face, noted Wiederman.
“The course was an invaluable class during my second year,” said Paris Long, a second-year medical student in the course. “It gave me the ability to practice my motivational interviewing skills in an environment that was both comfortable and conducive to learning.”
Wiederman plans to offer a similar course in 2022. Interested students can contact him for more information.
Clinical Research Experience: COVID Pandemic
Kimberly Smith, Ph.D., director of the Alabama Practice-Based Research Network offered a course on clinical research that explored topics related to completing a clinical research project while in medical school. Fourteen medical students, representing all years of medical school, participated in the course.
Each virtual session included didactic training and time for breakout group discussion and application of the research skill discussed that week. Smith covered how to set up a research question, create a survey, analyze data sets and more. All medical students are required to complete scholarly activity before graduating, and this course offered a look at how to approach future research activities.
“It was great to feel like I was empowering the students to research topics that they were passionate about this semester,” said Smith. “Research can be perceived as boring, but we were able to get these students excited about it because they chose topics that were important to them and encouraged them to explore their interests.”
As the course title suggests, students were asked to pick topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic and worked with Smith to study topics ranging from comorbidities to related conditions and the lasting impact of the illness.
James Crenshaw, a first-year medical student in the School of Medicine, completed the course and a research project on the impact of obesity on COVID-19 symptom severity.
“The COVID-19 Clinical Research course taught by Dr. Smith provided a valuable learning experience in clinical data analytics, employing the scientific method, and writing manuscripts,” said Crenshaw. “I learned to generate impactful research questions, develop an effective REDCap questionnaire, translate and analyze survey data, and produce a poster presentation yielding my findings. The process of gathering insights on COVID-19 symptom manifestation in obese populations was a rewarding project to work on during the pandemic, bolstering my understanding of the occult mechanisms of coronavirus and enhancing clinical research skills that I will utilize throughout my medical school career."
Smith plans to offer a similar course next year and encourages students to reach out to her for ways to get involved in research within the Department of Family and Community Medicine or through the Alabama Practice-Based Research Network online.
For more information about how the Department of Family and Community Medicine is working to educate the next generation of medical leaders, visit our website.
Get to Know: Family Medicine Interest Group Leadership
The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is a student-led organization that empowers medical students on campus to learn more about the family medicine specialty. There are similar interest groups on campus for other specialties that offer a place for medical students to ask questions, plug into professional organizations and learn more about the departments that represent these specialties on campus.
The Department of Family and Community Medicine’s FMIG recently completed selections for its 2021-2022 executive leadership team. The team includes four medical students, all in their first year, who will collaborate to plan events and work with their departmental advisor, Ksenia Blinnikova, M.D., to increase interest in family medicine among their peers. Fallon Lalor, Dalton Frederick, Claire Wilson, and Hope Cain will serve the organization this year. Each student has a different perspective on family medicine and looks forward to a successful year in FMIG.
Hope Cain
Hometown
Hartselle, AL
Undergraduate school
University of Mobile
Why did you choose to come to UAB?
I chose to come to UAB because it felt like home when I was on campus and where I am supposed to be. The faculty and staff here are amazing and willing to help! I could not imagine learning anywhere else.
Why did you choose to join FMIG and are interested in Family Medicine?
I choose to join FMIG because I want to bring awareness to the multiple opportunities one can have through Family Medicine. I want more people to understand just what all Family Medicine can provide for patients.
What are you most looking forward to about being on FMIG leadership this year?
I am most looking forward to connecting to students and faculty.
What is your advice for upcoming MS1s as they come to campus this summer?
Have fun! Enjoy and learn as much as you can because it flies by!
Dalton Frederick
Hometown
Hamilton, AL
Undergraduate school
UAB
Why did you choose to come to UAB?
I chose UAB as part of joining the Rural Medical Program. The reputation and vast support for family medicine in rural areas were a big factor in coming here. I loved the atmosphere here as an undergraduate and wanted to continue this as part of UAB SOM.
Why did you choose to join FMIG and are interested in Family Medicine?
I choose to join FMIG to show how great an opportunity that family medicine can be. It’s a rewarding specialty that is increasingly needed in all different areas, especially rural ones. In family medicine, an individual can treat an entire family and be an integral part of a community.
What are you most looking forward to about being on FMIG leadership this year?
I am most excited about collaborating with different physicians in family medicine to be given a platform to talk about their professions with medical students. There are many opportunities in family medicine in many different areas.
What is your advice for upcoming MS1s as they come to campus this summer?
My best advice for upcoming MS1s is not to rush everything. Make as many friends and connections as you can from the start.
Fallon Lalor
Hometown
Grant, AL
Undergraduate School
UAB
Why did you choose to study at UAB School of Medicine?
I chose UAB because of the opportunities provided by the Primary Care Track to develop longitudinal relationships with patients. I will do my clinical rotations in Tuscaloosa, and I look forward to the unique opportunities to learn clinical skills in an environment that is focused on Primary Care and service.
Why did you choose to join FMIG and why are you interested in family medicine?
I chose to join FMIG because I have been interested in the field since I shadowed a Family Medicine physician for several weeks as an undergraduate student. I was inspired by the physician's dedication to improving his patients' quality of life and helping them overcome the obstacles that impeded their access to care. Family Medicine physicians have the unique ability to walk with patients from birth until the end of their lives and that is what appeals to me the most about the field.
What are you most looking forward to about being on FMIG leadership this year?
I am looking forward to educating the incoming first-year medical student class about the field of Family Medicine because I think many students don't realize the opportunities Family Medicine physicians have to work with underserved populations and serve as a leader in their community.
Any advice for upcoming MS1s?
My advice for upcoming MS1s is to come in with an open mind and make as many friends as you can!
Claire Wilson
Hometown
Birmingham, AL
Undergraduate School
UAB
Why did you choose to study at UAB School of Medicine?
I came to UAB because of the amazing faculty! After a great experience at UAB getting my undergraduate degree, I couldn’t imagine leaving this community.
Why did you choose to join FMIG and why are you interested in family medicine?
I chose to join the executive committee to increase awareness of family medicine and all the great opportunities it can afford physicians. I am excited to learn about all the wonderful things family medicine does for the Birmingham community.
What are you most looking forward to about being on FMIG leadership this year?
I am most excited to engage with my fellow students and plan programs that are interesting and helpful to them.
Any advice for upcoming MS1s?
I would tell an incoming MS1 to take advantage of all of the wonderful social events because getting to know my classmates has been so fun.
Women's History Month: Department Spotlights
For Women's History Month, we are spotlighting a few of the amazing women in the Department of Family and Community Medicine in collaboration with the UAB School of Medicine's "Women Making History" series. Read below about how they are making history in the mission areas of teaching, outreach, diversity, and clinical areas.
Erin DeLaney, M.D., vice chair for Clinical Affairs and Quality, is a physician, educator, wife, mother, daughter, and friend. A family medicine physician with years of award-winning experience, DeLaney is the first woman to gain a senior leadership position with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, as well as securing a vice-chair role.
DeLaney is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of all family medicine clinics at UAB and for pursuing practice transformation research and implementation to improve patient care and outcomes. A pioneer in the department, DeLaney says, “My role as a clinical leader is to help our team expand the reaches of high quality primary care. That means looking at ways to improve access to patients and how we can deliver on things that really matter in the long run when it comes to one’s health. We also have to constantly ask the questions of how can we make things better both for our patients and providers.”
Jill Marsh, M.D., is an award-winning clinical provider and a clinical skills instructor committed to bettering the world through medical education and advocating for those with limited access to quality care in our state and beyond.
As director of the CU2RE: Urban Underserved Pathway program, she collaborates with dozens of providers and leaders across campus to ensure that the inaugural cohort students are well trained to care for underserved populations.
Brandi Shah, M.D., MPH, is the director of the department’s Office of Identity, Inclusion and Collective Conscience (I2C2). She also serves students in the Student Health Services clinic and teaches courses in the School of Medicine.
Through I2C2 and other leadership positions, Shah provides resources, support and programming to advance the department’s mission for genuine inclusivity, intercultural exchange and progress toward racial and social justice. The office has facilitated listening sessions with all department stakeholders, started a monthly book club for continued discussions, created an inclusive, cultural calendar to increase community-building and awareness amongst the team, and implemented a medical education elective to teach medical students about the power of narrative practice and cultural humility in the patient-provider relationship.
Shah is a champion of her teammates and inspires intentionality and lifelong learning through her example of leadership and self-improvement.
Glenda Stanley, MA, is the associate director of the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Center program. The AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) program was developed by Congress in 1971 to recruit, train and retain a health professions workforce committed to serve underserved populations.
Stanley joined UAB as faculty in the School of Nursing and as the Associate Director of the Alabama Statewide AHEC Program in 2015. AHEC is about ensuring that students in rural and underserved areas have the opportunity to get an education that can change the quality of life for them and also future generations and the community at large.
Stanley served in many capacities in AHEC through the years, each advancing the growth of the organization. As a leader, she advises young professionals to do the following: 1) to act with integrity; 2) to be fair; 3) to have fun and 4) to be socially responsible.
We are grateful for all of our female leaders and those who contribute to the important work done in our department each day.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month with healthy meal ideas from our faculty
Celebrate National Nutrition Month with the Department of Family and Community Medicine by trying these healthy and delicious meal ideas from faculty members.
Caroline Cohen, Ph.D., R.D., a registered dietician and assistant professor in the department, regularly counsels patients on healthy eating and how to incorporate positive habits into daily life.
“Developing healthy eating habits looks a little different for everyone,” said Cohen. “As a way to celebrate National Nutrition Month, we wanted to show how providers in the department incorporate healthy eating into daily life.
Breakfast
Caroline Sullivan, DNP, RN, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner at the UAB Highlands Family and Community Medicine clinic. For Sullivan, breakfast often includes whole grains and low-fat protein.
“My typical weekend breakfast is a healthier spin on a classic breakfast plate,” said Sullivan. “I scramble two eggs with a pinch of cheese and “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning. I toast a piece of Ezekiel Bread, which is a flourless whole-grain bread packed with sprouted grains and zinc, fiber and iron. I’ll finish with a few pieces of turkey bacon, which has 35% less fat and calories than pork bacon.”
Sullivan also enjoys baking healthy and kid-friendly muffins for an easy, on-the-go breakfast. They include applesauce, whole wheat flour, flaxseed, almond milk, eggs and shredded fruits and veggies for added vitamins.
Lunch
Sumayah Abed, M.D., assistant professor, provides details about nutrient-rich lunches that she and her family eat.
“Our typical lunch consists of a main dish and two side dishes, usually salad and rice,” said Abed.
She noted that while the recipes can include chicken or red meat, she often substitutes those with nutrient-dense proteins like shrimp or fish that have less saturated fat. Abed also prepares a tomato and okra soup to mix with the rice for a fruit and vegetable add-on.
Abed’s family enjoys sweets after each meal, but she says that does not mean that they have to eat a lot of sugar. She prepares sweet rolls with pistachio and coconut to provide a healthier dessert option.
Dinner
“Generally, my guiding nutrition philosophy is a high-fiber and low-sugar diet,” said Cohen. “By emphasizing high fiber foods, like vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and avoiding added sugar, patients may reap a variety of benefits including stabilizing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, decreasing inflammation and improving gut health, all of which may prevent disease.”
For dinner, Cohen prepares nutritious meals like Mediterranean turkey burgers with a salad and roasted sweet potatoes.
“I made these burgers by combining lean ground turkey, chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil,” said Cohen. “I served mine on top of a salad with a red wine vinaigrette and feta cheese. On the side, I roasted some purple sweet potatoes. I chose the purple color and cut with a crinkle cutter to encourage my two kiddos to eat them like French fries.”
Snacks
Cohen also suggested some easy snack options with added health benefits like crunchy broad beans or popcorn. Both these snacks are high in fiber and come in plenty of flavors. Broad beans also contain high levels of folate, said Cohen, which is important for women who are interested in having children.
As each meal shows, healthy eating does not mean boring eating. These plates contain color, flavor and fresh ingredients that offer the eater health benefits and tasty meal ideas.
Recipe for Nutritious Toddler Muffins:
1 & 1/3 cup whole wheat white flour (complex carb)
3 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tbsp milled flax seed (Omega 3 fats)
3 tsp baking powder
¾ cup rolled oat (Fiber)
¼ cup melted butter
2 eggs (protein)
¾ cup almond milk (Vit E & calcium)
¼ cup apple sauce
¼ cup shredded carrots (Vit A)
¼ cup blueberries (Antioxidants)
½ sliced banana
Mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then add together. Bake at 375 degrees F for 9-12 min
McKeag receives inaugural President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values
Ian McKeag, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of family and community medicine and director of the Family and Community Medicine Sports and Exercise Medicine Fellowship, has been selected as one of the recipients of the inaugural President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values. The award honors Blazers who demonstrated one or more of UAB’s shared values in the course of their work during the extraordinary times presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 20 members of the inaugural class of 2021 represents five schools and six institutional units across UAB.
Read more from the UAB Reporter
Dr. McKeag personifies the shared values of integrity, collaboration and excellence and achievement. Colleagues say he maintained “immense integrity” while volunteering at the COVID-19 Respiratory Clinic during the pandemic.
McKeag served his patients in a high-risk environment with compassion and excellence, despite having a newborn at home, a nominator says, which demonstrates his “above-and-beyond commitment to work and professional excellence.” He also worked with clinicians in other units to continue providing essential care to the community.
“His humility in serving and putting others before his interests outside of his required duties further proves McKeag’s integrity as a physician and person,” a nominator said.
Join our email lists!
Tips to keep your heart healthy this Valentine's Day
The heart is on many people’s minds this time of year. Apps and online articles offer advice on how to find love and give the heart what it wants. Faculty members from UAB’s Department of Family and Community Medicine have gathered tips about cardiovascular health that will ensure the heart is ready for anything that this year may bring.
Check in with loved ones to keep your stress levels low.
Relationships play a major role in heart health by helping to regulate stress, according to Kaylee Crockett, Ph.D., assistant professor and clinical health psychologist for the department.
“Next time you’re feeling stressed take a minute to close your eyes and picture a loved one in your mind - be that your significant other, a family member or friend, or a beloved pet - and notice how your body and state of mind change,” said Crockett. “Of course, if that person or pet is nearby you can ask them for a hug or to hold your hand and talk things through with them.”
Prioritize healthy eating habits to protect the heart.
According to Caroline Cohen, Ph.D., R.D., assistant professor and clinical dietitian for the department, diet can impact heart health. Cohen recommends eating omega-3-fatty acids that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and decrease inflammation. Fish, especially mackerel, salmon, and tuna, are high in omega-3-fatty acids and are a great source of protein.
It is also important to incorporate plenty of fiber into a heart-healthy diet, said Cohen. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain fiber that can reduce cholesterol and inflammation in the body. By prioritizing foods that include these and other necessary nutrients, a balanced diet can lead to a stronger, healthier heart.
Exercise regularly to strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Irfan Asif, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and certified family and sports medicine physician, recommends regular exercise to boost cardiovascular health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), failing to exercise can increase the risk for diabetes, obesity, heart attacks, and other diseases. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides guidelines for physical activity for every age group on their website.
“Regular exercise is one of the most important things people can do to improve their health,” said Asif. “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, I encourage my patients to go outside and exercise. Exercise is the best medicine for your health and heart.”
By taking steps to keep the heart healthy, the entire body benefits. Learn more about cardiovascular health and preventive measures by talking with a family medicine or primary care provider.
Happy Valentine’s from the Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Project ECHO Depression
The UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine is partnering with the Department of Psychiatry and the Depression and Suicide Prevention Center to bring the Project ECHO Model to family medicine and primary care practitioners across the state. Project ECHO Depression will connect Alabama providers with a team of experts at UAB to help them better care for patients suffering from depression.
Project ECHO uses a hub-and-spoke model to “move knowledge instead of people” in pursuit of better patient care. The model utilizes virtual tools to connect physicians with experts in other areas to encourage innovation and allows for open discussion about difficult cases to assist physicians in providing even better care. It began in New Mexico and has quickly become a national standard for empowering regional clinicians through monthly e-learning clinics. By leaning on virtual tools, Project ECHO Depression can reach more practitioners and assist them with the diagnosis and treatment of depression in their practices.
Participating physicians will receive access to monthly clinics, staffed by UAB psychiatrists, a family medicine physician, psychologists, and patient advocates. These clinics will be held virtually and offer Alabama clinicians the chance to gain didactic instruction and undergo live, de-identified and HIPAA-compliant mental illness case discussion on a monthly basis.
“We are excited to bring this model to our department and to practitioners across the state,” said Kimberly Smith, Ph.D., director of the Alabama Practice-Based Research Network (APBRN) and assistant professor for the department. “Through monthly ECHO sessions, we aim to make a difference in the lives of these practitioners, by helping them gain knowledge and assurance in prescribing a variety of treatment plans to better take care of their patients who are struggling with mental illness.”
The project is currently seeking family and primary care physicians to participate in the study. To participate, please fill out the interest form.
To learn more about Project ECHO Depression or to donate to this project, click here.
How the COVID-19 vaccine fits into yearly immunization recommendations
UAB Medicine has begun administering COVID-19 vaccinations based on the Alabama Department of Public Health’s phased plan. But the Centers for Disease Control also recommends that patients stay current with other yearly immunizations.
Yearly immunizations are considered preventive, and family medicine physicians at the UAB Highlands and Hoover clinics are helping patients schedule appropriate immunizations while keeping their personal health history in mind.
“In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, there are many vaccines that can help prevent illness and keep patients healthy,” said Erin DeLaney, M.D., assistant professor and vice chair for clinical care and quality in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. “These may include, but are not limited to, vaccines for the flu, pneumonia, shingles, tetanus, and meningitis. If patients have questions about these immunizations, they should discuss them with their primary care physician. Any of these vaccines can be safely given at least 14 days before or after the COVID-19 vaccines.”
Sameera Davuluri, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, notes the importance of consulting medical professionals when considering yearly immunizations.
“Patients should check in with their primary care doctor who knows their health history,” said Davuluri. “The medical community recommends that nearly everyone take the COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes available to them. The CDC has created a guide for those who have questions about whether or not they should take the vaccine.”
DeLaney and Davuluri outlined several recommendations pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine and their responses to common questions asked by patients:
- The current available COVID-19 vaccines are safe for most people who are at least 16 years of age.
- Those who should not get a COVID-19 vaccine include anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or component of either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose or component of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (including polyethylene glycol), or an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to polysorbate.
- Precautions should be taken by those who have a history of immediate allergic reaction to any other vaccine or injectable therapy and those with moderate to severe acute illness.
- Patients who have had the COVID-19 illness, and those who have received the monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma treatment for the illness, need to wait 90 days before receiving the vaccine.
- Patients with chronic conditions can receive the vaccine.
- Patients who have immunocompromised conditions due to medications or illness may also receive the vaccine. These patients must be aware that there is currently an unknown safety profile or effectiveness of the vaccine in immunocompromised populations; there is potential for a reduced immune response; and there is still a need to continue to follow all current guidance to protect themselves against COVID-19.
A full list of immunization recommendations and guidelines is available on the CDC’s website.
To schedule an appointment with a UAB family medicine physician, visit uabmedicine.org or call 800-UAB-8816.
For more information about vaccination and COVID-19, visit UAB United or consult the following UAB resources:
Alabama AHEC's COVID-19 Testing Center Spotlight: Firehouse Ministries
One of the populations that Alabama AHEC’s testing initiative served is local to Birmingham and gave access to testing to one of the city’s most underserved populations: individuals struggling with homelessness.
Firehouse Ministries is working against the effects of homelessness in Birmingham. The Firehouse Shelter, located on 2nd Avenue North on the west side of Birmingham, serves city’s chronically-homeless male population with the ultimate goal of getting them into permanent, supportive housing. Firehouse offers emergency services that include a soup kitchen open to everyone—now held outside, for the safety of the staff and residents—a clothing closet, case management, and emergency shelter.
Like many of its counterparts across the country, Firehouse is currently in a holding pattern until CARES Act funds are distributed from both Jefferson County and the City of Birmingham. The Alabama AHEC Network was made aware of the challenges that Firehouse was facing through James “Rick” Kilgore, M.D., who serves in a leadership capacity within the Alabama Statewide AHEC Program and as an active force in its COVID-19 testing initiative.
“No one should be denied basic healthcare in this country and in the face of a pandemic that is affecting the lives of the wealthy and not so wealthy, equally. It is important that those less fortunate, who have limited access to health care, should not be forgotten” says Kilgore. “We have to make sure testing is available to the homeless population if we are going to truly stem the tide of the pandemic in our communities.”
As a member of the Firehouse Mission’s Board of Directors, Kilgore has been influential in acquiring what medical equipment and residential protections the shelter has in place. Prior to the emergence of COVID-19, Kilgore worked with the homeless and the Firehouse Shelter to establish a medical screening and education clinic, and knows the obstacles many of the residents face in getting basic and advanced medical care. It is through his efforts that the network was able to offer this vital, closed, and secure testing site for the Firehouse residents on December 10, 2020.
Demand was high—70 test kits were initially prepared, though UAB provided extra kits for the site. At least 70 tests were administered before 9:30 a.m., and 86 tests were administered in total before testing closed. Firehouse had been lucky—with limited resources and great effort, they had yet to experience positive COVID-19 cases within their resident population. Fortunately, the tests administered by the Alabama AHEC Network all came back negative for COVID-19.
Click here to learn more about the Firehouse Shelter.
The Alabama AHEC program is committed to expanding the health care workforce of Alabama by maximizing diversity and facilitating distribution of resources, particularly in underserved communities. Its goals are to influence the training of health profession students and residents toward primary care; to provide continuing education and support for targeted health providers; and to implement programs, services, and activities that target underrepresented minorities, rural and otherwise disadvantaged Alabamians for careers in the health professions.
Alabama AHEC’s COVID-19 Test Efforts
The Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program has planned and executed a COVID-19 testing strategy to serve Alabamians in rural and underserved areas during the pandemic. Alabama AHEC has focused on underserved populations with a higher incidence of COVID-19-related illnesses, particularly those in Hispanic and Black populations where access to care is limited. Their intent to bring specialized attention to areas that need it most has helped address the impact of COVID-19 on these communities.
Working with partners such as the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama Civil Air Patrol, and other local leadership and community organizations, Alabama AHEC’s testing initiative has completed more than 3,500 COVID-19 tests in 24 counties at 61 community testing sites across the state.
Using its five regional centers as a basis for outreach, Alabama AHEC developed local coalitions with community leaders and health professionals to assist in providing a cohesive testing process. Because of their work, thousands of Alabamians have been empowered to make informed decisions about their health throughout this pandemic.
"We have learned a great deal about the problems we are facing in these communities through our conversations with our partners, as relates to accessibility and trust,” said Michael B. Faircloth, M.D., director of the Alabama AHEC, medical and lab director for UAB Student Health, and associate professor for the Department of Family and Community Medicine. “There remains a lot of work to be done, particularly as we move into Alabama's imminent vaccination phase. It is our goal to take these lessons to heart, and to move forward with purpose as we continue to fight this deadly disease."
The testing centers have helped to slow the spread of COVID-19, but many underserved communities continue to have higher infection numbers compared to national standards.
"Our greatest trouble, so far, has been overcoming mask and testing fatigue in these communities,” said Joe Crozier, executive director for the North Alabama AHEC and coordinator for the COVID-19 Testing Initiative. “Even with the ongoing statewide mandates, numbers continue to increase in our rural populations. We hope to help educate these community members while conducting our testing efforts—it may be our best chance of combatting the misinformation that has stymied such efforts across the country."
Alabama AHEC’s collaborative testing sites will continue into 2021 to provide this service to even more communities across the state.
DeLaney named vice chair for clinical affairs and quality
The Department of Family and Community Medicine is pleased to announce that Erin DeLaney, M.D., has been tapped to become its first vice chair for clinical affairs and quality. In her new role, DeLaney will provide oversight for the clinical enterprise and ensure quality measures are in place for provider performance, patient care, and outcomes.
DeLaney received her medical training at the University of South Alabama and completed her residency at Maine Medical Center. She began her medical practice in Maine and returned to Alabama in 2013 to begin working for the department. She has served as the medical director and medical quality officer for UAB Family and Community Medicine–Highlands.
“Erin DeLaney is a thoughtful leader,” said Chair Irfan Asif, M.D. “Her interpersonal communication and ability to listen to others make her someone that others want to follow. She uses her skills and personal strengths to improve the lives of those she works for and the patients she serves. It is a pleasure to work with her, and I am excited for her to serve the department in this new role.”
DeLaney’s dedication to her patients and to maintaining excellent professional standards have earned her several awards throughout the years, including UAB Medicine’s awards for top communicators in 2019 and 2020 and a patient experience excellence award in 2018.
“I am honored and excited to be given the opportunity to serve our department and, ultimately, our patients in this new capacity,” said DeLaney. “I look forward to our continued growth as a department as we aim to improve the health of our community through education, research, and high-quality patient care.”
Eight providers named 2020 "Top-Performing Providers" by UAB Medicine
The UAB Medicine Office of Patient Experience and Engagement (OPXE) recognized eight providers from the Department of Family and Community Medicine in its 2020 list of "Top-Performing" providers.
According to the article on uabmedicine.org, “This year has been full of surprises, to say the least. With such massive disruptions across UAB Medicine, we expected to see a decline in our patient experience scores. However, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these measures have been rising. This is a testament to our providers’ commitment to the well-being and safety of patients.”
Faculty recognized from the Department of Family and Community Medicine:
Drs. Delaney and Salser have made the list for the third year in a row. This is also Dr. Davuluri's second time featured.
Congratulations to all of our outstanding providers!
Holistic Holiday Tips
This year has been a challenge, to say the least. Issues with working situations, worries about health, and trouble staying in touch with loved ones are just a few of the ways that 2020 has made life more difficult. While this time of year is typically marked with joy and excitement, as well as some stress, this year there are added tensions related to remaining safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanksgiving safety tips from our family to yours
Thanksgiving will be different this year, but a safe and happy celebration is still possible. Remember to mask up to help protect you, your loved ones, and others from COVID-19. Read below to learn more on how to safely celebrate this year.
Nutrition tips from Dr. Caroline Cohen
- In anticipation of a holiday feast, eat normal, balanced meals. Often people are tempted to skip meals or eat very small meals to "save room" for the holiday meal, which can set you up for overeating later.
- Prioritize vegetables. Eat your vegetables first in a holiday meal, to fill up on fiber and valuable nutrients.
- Be mindful of liquid calories. Beverages served at holiday events, such as juice and alcohol, can contribute large amounts of calories without making you feel full; limit intake to no more than two drinks at a sitting.
- Relax. One more meal is not enough to derail your health goals, so savor and enjoy your favorite holiday food in moderation.
COVID-19 best practices from Dr. Ian McKeag
- Weekly medication container; can help ensure you don't forget your medications, and decrease space needed for individual pill bottles.
- Outdoor gatherings can help prevent the risk of COVID.
- Get your flu shot. Just because COVID is around doesn't mean that other viruses have gone anywhere.
- Wash your hands and wear your mask. This is going to be a rough holiday season for us all, but especially for nearly 1/4 million families who have lost loved ones. Some extra precautions this season will help protect the ones you love, and honor those who have lose their lives this year.
Mental wellness tips from Dr. Kaylee Crockett
- Not gathering with others this year because of COVID? Think of fun ways to connect and maintain a sense of community, such as a virtual pie judging contest among family and friends. Creative prizes are also encouraged.
- If you find yourself dreading judgemental comments from family members, think of your assertive, yet tactful, responses ahead of time. Consider practicing in the mirror so that you have some insight on how you might come across.
- Holidays can be a difficult time for grieving lost loved ones. Make some 'space' at the table to share memories and tell stories about those you are missing.
- Physical activity is an effective way to boost mood and manage stress and anxiety. Aim for at least 150 minutes of activity in a week. That's five 30-minute walks, 20 minutes of yoga or dance each day, or any combination of your favorite physical activities.
Wiederman discusses mindfulness on episode of UAB MedCast
In a recent episode of UAB MedCast, Michael Wiederman, Ph.D., director of leadership and professional development, discussed the benefits of practicing mindfulness and incorporating the practice into one's daily routine.