News

healthy

UAB named Birmingham's Healthiest Employer A traveling farm stand and summertime fitness challenges at UAB Hospital are among the innovative programs that helped UAB earn the title of Birmingham's Healthiest Employer for 2012 in the 500-plus employee category from the Birmingham Business Journal. This is the first win in the category for UAB, which faced strong competition from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama, Baptist Health System and several others.
 
"UAB has made a commitment to helping our employees improve their health and wellness," says Lauren Whitt, Ph.D., UAB Wellness Program coordinator. “We are working hard to build a program that invests in their health and excited to see that our employees are embracing our initiatives.”

New clinic caters to adult spina bifida patients

A foam seal for severe emphysema?

New GPS give students, advisers roadmap for academic success

UAB students find traces of meth on currency in Birmingham

Robot-assisted hysterectomy: An option for most women

Features

skloot
Bestselling author reveals the question that changed her life Science writer Rebecca Skloot spent 22 years following the story of HeLa, the human cell line behind many key medical breakthroughs, and the little-known African-American woman who provided it. The result is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a bestseller that is UAB's 2012 Discussion Book. Part mystery novel and part memoir, Skloot's book also offers insights on current bioethical debates, which UAB freshmen are discussing at events throughout the year.

In an exclusive essay for the latest issue of UAB Magazine, Skloot discusses her motivation to write — and the importance of following your curiosity. She also pays tribute to the writing teacher whose advice opened a world of new possibilities.

"He said these essential words: Letting go of a goal doesn't mean you've failed, as long as you have a new goal in its place," Skloot writes. "That's not giving up, it's changing directions, which can be one of the most important things you do in life."