We acknowledge and thank you for all of your hard work and dedication over these last several weeks. We want to support all of our MICU family in the best way possible through this period of uncertainty and stress. This webpage is meant to be an evolving project of the cumulative ideas of the UAB pulmonary community. Please browse, enjoy, and submit your own stories and recommendations in the resources we have compiled below. Also, please help give us ideas on ways that we can best support you throughout the rest of the pandemic and beyond. Have an idea or feedback? Submit here.
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Share Your Experiences
Whether you are working in the ICU or working from home, we are all impacted by COVID-19 in our own ways. Yet many of our experiences share common themes of fear, compassion, anxiety, and resilience. We are collecting short stories (<50 words) from our pulmonary community as we work and cope with COVID-19. Feel free to use this space in many ways including sharing your own personal experiences, highlighting a colleague you have worked with, or simply providing encouragement for all of us as we continue to diligently work over the next several weeks
You can submit your own story using this form. -
Professional Support
If you are experiencing a crisis, call 911, call the National Suicide Hotline (1-800-273-8255), call the Birmingham Crisis Line at 205-323-7777 or text “UAB” to 741741 to text with a crisis counselor.
The UAB Professional Development Office offers various services, including individual and couples counseling, appointments to discuss a specific professional issue, stress management techniques, etc. You can go once or multiple times at no cost. There will be no record of your visit in Impact or any other EMR. For an appointment call (205) 731-9799.
The UAB Employee Assistance and Counseling Center also offers free counseling services to all employees. They started a new program (One-at-a-Time Therapy) where you can go in for a single goal-oriented visit to address a specific issue.
Employees can contact the UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center by calling 205-934-228, emailing uabeacc@uabmc.edu or visiting uab.edu/eacc, or reviewing EACC events on the UAB Campus Calendar.
If you are calling after business hours or on the weekends, call UAB Connect at 205-934-3411 to access the EACC on-call counselor. -
Online Support Group
The UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center (EACC) is launching a weekly online support group for health care professionals and hospital employees working during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group will meet remotely via Zoom. Access more information here or on the EACC Community Calendar.
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Gym and Fitness Discounts
My Health Rewards Discounts· Discount: My Health Rewards program participants can purchase discounted fitness trackers, including FitBit and Garmin devices, and other discounted wellness products like juicers, steamers, smart scales, fitness equipment and more.· To Redeem: Visit the online store in the My Health Rewards portal; select the "What's Happening" icon on the homepage and click on the MHR store banner. Access to My Health Rewards is open to all UAB benefits-eligible employees.UAB Campus Recreation Center· 1501 University Blvd, Birmingham· Discount: All UAB employees are eligible for a one-week (seven consecutive days) free trial. Multiple membership options — including Platinum, Nightowl and Earlybird packages — are offered at a discounted rate to UAB employees. Visit the Campus Rec Membership webpage for details.· To Redeem: Present your UAB ONE Card at the Members Services desk.YMCA of Birmingham· 8 Birmingham locations· Discount: No joining fee (valued at $50) and 20% discount on monthly dues.· To Redeem: Go to ymcabham.org/uab-membership or present you UAB ONE Card at any Birmingham-area YMCA location.9Round 30 Min Kickbox Fitness· 2766 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover· Discount: $30 off month-to-month memberships (regularly $99) - UAB employees pay $69 per month for UNLIMITED workouts; no class times and trainer is included. Or save $20 off 12-month term (regularly $69).· To Redeem: Present UAB Employee ID for discount.HomeFit· 1919 Oxmoor Road #391, Birmingham· Discount: 10% off in-home personal training and private yoga services, plus 1st session FREE· To Redeem: Present UAB Employee ID for discount.Orangetheory Fitness· 117 20th St. South, Birmingham· Discount: UAB employees receive a $10 discount on Elite and Premier memberships.· To Redeem: Present UAB BlazerID at the time of purchase.
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Talking to Your Kids About COVID-19
If you are a parent, approaching the topic of COVID-19 with your children can be challenging. Check out these resources to help navigate the discussions surrounding COVID-19 with your children.
National Geographic - "Talking to Kids About Coronavirus"
Young Parents - "How to Explain COVID-19 Outbreak to Kids"
PBS News Hour - "10 Tips for Talking About COVID-19" -
Well-Being and Mindfulness
Meditation, even a few minutes a day, is beneficial in reducing anxiety and improving overall mental health. Headspace is offering increased access and guidance to their online programs. Mindful offers a great article if you are wondering where to start when it comes to meditation. This video from Russ Harris, the author of the “Happiness Trap,” also offers practical steps to deal with COVID-19.
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Read Our Own Dr. Well-Be's Weekly Column
You can visit the weekly column of Dr. Well-Be, our own John Kennedy, using this link.
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UAB Updates and Closures
Up-to-date news related to UAB operations, procedures, and developments can be found at UAB United.
- Additional Wellness Resources
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Code Blaze
Code Blaze is designed to minimize stress for UAB and UAB Medicine employees.
Through the Code Blaze program, the Employee Assistance & Counseling Center provides community and online resources that may help employees address the issues they are facing in their search for successful work/life integration. It also provides extensive stress management resources for solving stressful situations, relaxation and techniques for managing difficult emotions frequently experienced by direct care providers.
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Financial Wellness
Financial wellness is vital to achieving successful work-life balance — at all stages of your career. The UAB Financial Wellness Program offers personalized counseling, educational seminars and additional resources designed to help employees cope with financial stressors, build financial skills and feel confident about their future.
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Life Coaching
Looking for guidance with your personal goals and don't know where to start? Your EACC board-certified life coach will assist you with plan development and provide support and accountability as a partner in your vision for self improvement.