There are several important things to keep in mind at UAB and UAB Medicine leading up to election day, as well as on and after Nov. 5, as a member of a community at a public university and academic medical center. 

Nationwide, costs continue to rise, and UAB is working to balance the impact of these costs on its employees and the organization. Here are some things you can do to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

For UAB to remain competitive in the market, stay in line with national benchmarks and keep costs down as much as possible for all employees, there will be medical plan design changes for 2025.

Human Resources’ AWARE Disability Management Program is providing opportunities for employees to learn to recognize and engage with individuals with disabilities at UAB.

Completing mental health training is a great way for staff, faculty and students at UAB and UAB Medicine to share a culture of care and thriving. The UAB Enterprise Mental Health Advocate Program, recently introduced a new learning track to its lineup.

UAB offers vision benefits, and eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline that coverage during the open enrollment for benefits Oct. 18-Nov. 4.

The fair will feature popsicles, a Hand in Paw service dog, giveaways and opportunities to meet with mental health providers and human service agencies from UAB and the Birmingham area.

UAB will offer dental insurance during the annual open enrollment for benefits, and eligible employees must choose or decline that coverage between 7 a.m. Oct. 18 and 5 p.m. Nov. 4

Eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline health care coverage from VIVA Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield during the annual open enrollment for benefits Oct. 18-Nov. 4.

Take a closer look at the new fund, which was launched this summer by the Office of the President to help expand UAB’s portfolio of funded principal investigators as part of the Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose.

A benefit option that enables employees to pay lower monthly health care premiums in exchange for higher out-of-pocket expenses for covered services continues to grow in favor among eligible employees.

The latest cohort selected for the Blaze Leadership Academy includes 20 faculty and staff from across campus.

Stay tuned to the UAB Reporter as UAB begins rolling out open enrollment information to provide benefit-eligible employees time to review upcoming changes and make informed decisions. Open enrollment begins 7 a.m. Oct. 18 and concludes 5 p.m. Nov. 4.

UAB employees and students can now request transportation from UAB Safety Escort and Blaze Ride using the TransLoc app, available for download on iOS and Android devices.

Job satisfaction, high pay and intense demand are all attractions, according to the leaders of UAB’s Master’s in Genetic Counseling program. Four alumni who now work at UAB explain what they do and why they love their jobs.

As a diverse, public institution of more than 50,000 students, faculty and staff, UAB will remain neutral on political and social issues that do not directly affect the institution’s core operations.

To mark National Healthy Aging Month, UAB Employee Wellness offers these tips on aging gracefully.

UAB employees who want to ensure their financial security in their golden years can take advantage of services provided by the UAB Benefits Office and UAB’s retirement providers, including retirement counseling and investment support for mandatory and voluntary retirement plans. If you are contacted by other vendors claiming to be authorized, do not give out your personal information. 

Beginning Aug. 30, all Equipment Disposition Forms (EDF) will be submitted online. The new form and instruction guide will be accessible through the EDF app on the myUAB portal and can also be found on the Financial Affairs website.

UAB’s student-centered email newsletter transitions to a new name and template on Aug. 21. Blazer Weekly will continue to be distributed on Wednesdays to all enrolled UAB students. Faculty and staff who would like to subscribe may do so via the UAB Subscription Center.

Two Tuesdays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, will be designated as paid holidays to enable UAB and UAB Medicine employees additional time to spend with their families and friends.

J. Claude Bennett, M.D., who served as UAB president from 1993 to 1996, passed away on Aug. 11, 2024, at age 90.

Before the new semester starts on Aug. 26, enjoy this glimpse of some of the many happenings at UAB and nearby this summer as captured by university photographers and special guests.

Located in the UAB Police and Public Safety building parking lot, the zone has video surveillance, a UAB Help Phone and is well lit. The parking spot is designated with a sign and bright green paint on the asphalt.

As students begin arriving on campus for the fall semester, UAB Transportation recommends traveling an alternative route to work during times when the most students will be moving into on- campus housing. This map will help you plan.

Funds for recruitment and retention, enhanced research capabilities, new leadership roles and new infrastructure for interdisciplinary collaboration are all fueling the initiative's bold vision of growing the UAB research enterprise to increase our positive impact on people’s lives.

Through a UAB-wide membership in Practice Greenhealth, employees interested in making sustainable changes in their units can access seminars, white papers and data about projects that have been successful at more than 1,500 member hospitals and health systems. Find out how to access this information online.

Finding a new electronic research administration solution to replace IRAP, the current tool, was one of the five key priorities for immediate action as part of UAB's Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose. After approval by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees early this month, UAB has selected an integrated, cloud-based platform that will be named myUABResearch.

The final report from UAB’s engagement with Huron Consulting and Urban Impact Advisors recommended forming six working groups to enable the goals of the Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose. In collaboration with the UAB deans and the chair of the Faculty Senate, the Executive Steering Committee has identified two co-chairs to lead each working group.

“De-stressing” agents are in everything from cold-brew coffee to supplements. A UAB-trained dietitian explains what adaptogens are and we highlight a preclinical UAB study in breast cancer models.