UAB Heersink School of Medicine plans to launch two new psychiatry residencies at the Huntsville and Montgomery campuses. By increasing the number of trained mental health providers in the state of Alabama, this expansion will help address the mounting burden of mental illness in the state, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas.
“We are excited to be able to launch a new psychiatry residency program on the Huntsville Regional Campus,” said Roger Smalligan, M.D., MPH, regional dean of the Huntsville Regional Medical Campus. “Our mission is to train the best physicians and provide the best possible care to our surrounding communities. We understand the need for mental health care in our state, and we are thankful for the opportunity to better serve the people of Alabama.”
“The Health Resources and Services Administration identifies every single county in central Alabama as a ‘Mental Health Provider Shortage Area,’ and the UAB Montgomery Psychiatry Residency is directly aimed at meeting this need,” said Louis R. Lambiase, M.D., MHA, regional dean of the Montgomery Regional Medical Campus. “The university’s institutional support serves to strengthen our mission and has the potential to improve the quality of life for entire communities throughout the River Region.”
The need for additional mental health providers in Alabama is substantial. The state ranks 51st in mental health providers per capita (behind the 49 other states and the District of Columbia). Alabama has one health provider per 850 members of the general population, whereas the national average is approximately one provider per 350 members of the general population.
UAB Heersink School of Medicine’s aim is to help combat this discrepancy. Physicians completing residency typically establish practice within 100 miles of the location where they finished training (60-70% on overage). Therefore, UAB’s commitment to expanding training in its regional campuses across the state is intended to help establish trained professionals in areas of the state that need them the most.
"At Heersink School of Medicine, we believe addressing health care disparities across Alabama is critically important," said Anupam Agarwal, M.D., dean of the Heersink School of Medicine. "By expanding our training programs in regional campuses, we are committed to ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared and motivated to serve in the areas that need them most. This initiative will enhance the quality of care and foster stronger, healthier communities throughout Alabama."
Click here to learn more about UAB Heersink School of Medicine’s regional campuses and their impact in healthcare provision across the state.