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blackbeltnewsnetwork.com

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EMS providers in the Black Belt hustle to serve residents living in the ‘ambulance desert’

The manager and the longest-serving medic of MedCare EMS, Wilcox County's ambulance service, agree that things have never been better. Two vehicles are staffed and running most of the time, which is a major accomplishment in one of the state’s smallest and poorest counties. But that’s not the story...

Wilcox County, AL · 08-14
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blackbeltnewsnetwork.com

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Vaughan Regional Medical Center names new chief nursing officer

Vaughan Regional Medical Center has a new chief nursing officer. Christy Smith, a registered nurse, with 35 years of service at Vaughan Regional Medical Center, has been promoted to the CNO job. She has served in numerous leadership capacities, including director of Labor and Delivery. Smith has also provided significant...

Selma, AL · 08-14
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WALA-TV FOX10

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The dangerous gap in Alabama healthcare: Living in a maternal care desert

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - One in three counties in Alabama is considered a maternal health care desert, according to a new report by the March of Dimes. These deserts are defined as areas with no hospital maternity wards, no birthing centers, and no local obstetricians, gynecologists, or certified nurse-midwives. The lack of nearby care leaves thousands of expectant mothers facing long, potentially dangerous journeys to receive essential medical attention.

Alabama · 08-15
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WSFA

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The dangerous gap in Alabama healthcare: Living in a maternal care desert

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - One in three counties in Alabama is considered a maternal health care desert, according to a new report by the March of Dimes. These deserts are defined as areas with no hospital maternity wards, no birthing centers, and no local obstetricians, gynecologists, or certified nurse-midwives. The lack of nearby care leaves thousands of expectant mothers facing long, potentially dangerous journeys to receive essential medical attention.

Alabama · 08-15
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WDHN

partner publisher · 12.7K followers

East Alabama Health to manage Medical Center Barbour

OPELIKA, Ala. (WDHN) — Medical Center Barbour will be under new management starting October 1, 2026. Officials with East Alabama Health announced Wednesday the organization will assume management and operational oversight of the Eufuala hospital. Through the agreement, East Alabama Hospital will lead day-to-day operations and provide guidance to strengthen local hospital services. “Access to […]

Eufaula, AL · 08-12

pmg-ky2.com

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Pilot project in pharmacies credited with saving lives

A pilot project using rural pharmacies in Kentucky and five other states to identify and screen patients at risk of stroke and heart disease, may have saved hundreds of lives, improved outcomes for thousands of patients and saved millions of dollars by preventing hospitalization. A collaboration between the National Community...

Kentucky · 08-13

opelikaobserver.com

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New traumatic brain injury center opens in Opelika

OPELIKA — The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Lee County Commission and Auburn University School of Social Work celebrated the opening of Alabama’s second Traumatic Brain Injury Centers of Alabama location Thursday, Aug. 6. Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new center, located inside the Bennie G....

Opelika, AL · 08-11

alreporter.com

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Doug Jones brings town hall tour to Montgomery

Doug Jones announced Monday that he will bring his statewide Town Hall Tour to Montgomery on Wednesday, August 12, at 5:30 p.m., taking what his campaign described as his push for “a different kind of state government” to the state capital. Jones will be joined by Representative Phillip...

Montgomery, AL · 08-11

chaindrugreview.com

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Rural pharmacies identify thousands of patients at risk of stroke, heart disease, pilot program reveals

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A trailblazing new program using rural pharmacies to identify and screen patients at risk of stroke and heart disease may have saved hundreds of lives, improved outcomes for thousands of patients, and saved millions of dollars by preventing hospitalization. The pilot program is a collaboration between...

Kentucky · 08-11

Route Fifty

publisher · 4.2K followers

OpenAI Foundation gives $100 million fund state AI implementation for public health

OpenAI Foundation, the overarching nonprofit that governs OpenAI, has announced a new public health partnership with the Common Health Coalition to bring artificial intelligence tools to developing scientific breakthroughs for medical research across the country. OpenAI Foundation on Thursday announced its commitment of $100 million to the Breakthroughs to Follow-Through...

Louisiana · 08-13

Nextgov

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OpenAI Foundation gives $100 million fund state AI implementation for public health

OpenAI Foundation, the overarching nonprofit that governs OpenAI, has announced a new public health partnership with the Common Health Coalition to bring artificial intelligence tools to developing scientific breakthroughs for medical research across the country. OpenAI Foundation on Thursday announced its commitment of $100 million to the Breakthroughs to Follow-Through...

Louisiana · 08-13

The Root

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New Report: Alabama’s Maternal Health Crisis Puts Black Moms at Risk

A new report from the ACLU of Alabama is highlighting the dangers of giving birth in the state and the racial disparities that prove Black women are being hit the hardest. The organization’s new Moms Matter report calls Alabama the most dangerous state in the country for pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting a maternal health system where access to care, racial disparities and geography can determine whether someone brings a healthy baby home.

Alabama · 08-10

WAFF

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Crestwood Medical Center recognized for zero MRSA infection rate

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Crestwood Medical Center is one of six Alabama hospitals with a reported MRSA infection rate of zero, according to a report from Becker’s Hospital Review published in August. The report is based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Healthcare-Associated Infections dataset,...

Alabama · 08-11

WHNT News 19

partner publisher · 96.2K followers

ACLU says Alabama is ‘most dangerous state’ to be pregnant or give birth in

An ACLU report cites interviews with Alabama mothers, pointing to hospital deserts, poverty and care gaps linked to poor maternal outcomes.

Alabama · 08-08

WHNT News 19

partner publisher · 96.2K followers

Crestwood Medical Center Recognized for Low Infection Rate | Aug. 11, 2026 | News 19 at 4 p.m

Alabama · 08-11

apr.org

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School’s in! Advocacy group urges Alabama parents to study up on measles vaccinations

School is getting underway this week in the city of Birmingham as well as Mobile, Baldwin, and Montgomery Counties. Healthcare providers say measles shots should be on the list of things to do along with books, pencils, and erasers. The Alabama Department of Public Health says the state is doing well with ninety five percent of school students up to date with their vaccinations. Doctor Giridhar Mallya is with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He says parents should double check if they have concerns over the vaccine.

Alabama · 08-10

waka.com

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New traumatic brain injury center opens in Opelika

OPELIKA, Ala. (WAKA) – The state’s second Traumatic Brain Injury Center has opened in Opelika, designed especially for veterans and other military personnel. The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Lee County Commission and the Auburn University School of Social Work celebrated the opening of the center yesterday, which is inside the Bennie G. Adkins Meeting Center at 205 South 10th Street.

Opelika, AL · 08-07

WTVM

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New traumatic brain injury center opens in Opelika

OPELIKA, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services has opened its second traumatic brain injury center at the Bennie G. Atkins Center in Opelika, across from the Lee County Courthouse. The center is the second of five planned TBI centers across the state. According to State Traumatic Brain...

Opelika, AL · 08-06

WHNT News 19

partner publisher · 96.2K followers

ACLU: Alabama Scores Poorly on Maternal Health | Aug. 7, 2026 | News 19 at 5:00

Alabama · 08-07

The Montgomery Advertiser

partner publisher · 29.3K followers

US News names 7 Alabama hospitals among best in the US

Seven Alabama hospitals earned recognition as the state’s top regional medical centers for 2026-27 in the latest U.S. News Best Hospital rankings. U.S. News evaluated 116 hospitals across Alabama , recognizing facilities that demonstrated strong performances across specialties, procedures , patient outcomes and experience. One Alabama children’s hospital also earned national recognition. UAB Hospital ranks No. 1 in Alabama For another year, University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital claimed the top spot in the state, ranking No. 1 in both Alabama and the Birmingham metro area. The hospital received national recognition in two adult specialties and was rated high performing in 18 adult procedures and conditions. Among the areas receiving high marks were: Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair Aortic valve surgery Spinal fusion Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment Colon cancer surgery Patient satisfaction also remained strong. Nearly nine in 10 patients reported they were satisfied with their hospital stay, while 91% said they would recommend UAB Hospital to family and friends. UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham earns No. 2 ranking UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham ranked second in Alabama and second in the Birmingham area. The hospital was recognized as high performing in nine adult procedures and conditions, including: Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Alabama · 08-04