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The dominance of the Delta strain of COVID-19 combined with Alabama’s low vaccination rate has led experts to turn to monoclonal antibody infusion, a treatment in which infected individuals are administered supplemental antibodies that aid in clearing and stopping infection. The infusion reduces the risk of hospitalization by 70 percent in high-risk unvaccinated and pregnant persons. Experts emphasize getting vaccinated remains the most effective way to reduce hospitalizations and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Pictured Above: Surge Team members Julie England (PGY2), Jacob Roemen (PGY2) and Alonso Heudebert (GIM Attending) step up to provide additional coverage for rising numbers of hospitalized patients.

As cases skyrocket across Alabama, Department of Medicine faculty, staff and trainees have taken on additional shifts to provide care for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The teams are working diligently to stay ahead of the rising numbers, arranging (and re-arranging) personnel to meet the need. Current models project total hospitalizations to exceed our previous high last winter, with as many as 250 patients in our system by the end of August.

L to R: Amy Allon, MSW (Caseworker), Alex Edgil, M.D., (PGY3) and Sal Kamal, M.D., (CMR)

Internal medicine residents Alex Edgil (PGY3) and Sal Kamal (CMR) recently organized a food drive for patients they serve at the Providing Access to HealthCare (PATH) Clinic. The clinic provides free insulin, food supplies, and health care to uninsured patients with poorly controlled diabetes. After noticing food reserves were low, the residents joined together to ensure the patients could maintain their diets. Thank you to the residents for going above the call of duty to meet patients’ needs inside and outside of UAB facilities. Great Job!

L to R: Chris Ives (Cardiology), Dane Johnson (GI), Star Ye (Hematology/Oncology), Hyndavi Kandala (Hematology/ Oncology), Oscar Bascug (Hematology/Oncology), Nicholas Baldwin (GI)

The Department was delighted to celebrate our incoming fellows at a reception in their honor last week. We could not be more excited to have these exceptional trainees join us at UAB. DOM has onboarded 50 new fellows this year in 18 training programs. Welcome all! We can't wait to see you shine!

Did you know Alabama has the 7th highest rate of adult obesity and the 3rd highest diabetes and hypertension rates in the U.S.? The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism will address these statistics by offering specialized training in obesity and nutrition with its new Obesity Medicine Fellowship. The one-year program will require fellows to complete a minimum of 500 hours of training focused on evaluating and managing patients with obesity, including pre-and-post surgical care. The core faculty involved in this program include Program Director, Monica Agarwal, M.D., (Associate Professor, Endocrinology) as well as a multidisciplinary team of endocrine and nutrition specialists: Drs. Amy Warriner, Laura Rogers, Tim Garvey, Stephanie Wallace, and Richard Stahl. Applications for the 2022-2023 academic year are open until the end of August.