2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, P.C. (HSF). As chair of the HSF Board, I am proud of this remarkable milestone because it underscores our commitment to excellence in patient care. It serves as a testament to the vision that has defined our journey over the past five decades.
Recognizing the need for a more formal structure to oversee UAB's clinical faculty group practice plan, the HSF was established in 1973 by Dr. John Kirklin, who was then chair for the UAB Department of Surgery. Dr. Kirklin, along with our founding leaders, imagined an organization that would transform health care, pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering care of the highest quality. Their foresight set the standard for our work.
Over the years, HSF has been marked by growth, evolution, and, most importantly, a profound impact on countless lives.
Compassion, the essence of health care, has been at the core of our work. It is the empathy we show patients and their families, the kindness we extend to colleagues, and the understanding we provide to all who seek our care.
HSF’s structure has helped us operationalize compassion. Because of HSF, the Heersink School of Medicine can offer competitive recruitment packages to the best and brightest physicians and scientists across the globe. HSF’s support, through the General Endowment Fund, also helps fund our academic medical center’s Patient-Oriented and Laboratory Research efforts, Clinical Care Program Development, and Medical Education Initiatives and university-wide projects through an annual competitive process. These operations have a ripple effect that impacts our patients and their experience, as well as medical education programs and educators training the next generation.
HSF’s success is possible because of multiple partners and collaborators. Over the years, we have worked with numerous organizations, institutions, and individuals who share our commitment to health care excellence. Together, we have forged bonds that have advanced medical science, improved patient care, and enriched the communities we serve throughout the State of Alabama and beyond.
Our history reflects a dedication that has propelled us to become a cornerstone of patient care excellence in our region. As we look forward to the next 50 years, we stand on the threshold of new challenges and opportunities. The world of health care and academic medicine is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in science, technology, and the changing needs of our communities. Our values are steadfast, and they will continue to guide us.
In the coming years, it is important to me personally that we continue to build on our legacy and align our practice plan, health system and the medical school, expanding our reach and impact.
Let us embrace this anniversary with gratitude and humility, recognizing the collective achievements of the past five decades and the incredible potential that lies ahead.
Thank you for your dedication, your hard work, and your unwavering support. Together, we will continue to make a difference in the world of health care for generations to come.