The proposed project, developed in partnership with Oxford Health Systems, would expand access to emergency care for residents of the region.
UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair, a UAB Health System hospital, has filed a letter of intent with the Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency indicating its intention to file a certificate of need for a freestanding emergency department in Oxford, Alabama.
The proposed project will be a joint venture among the UAB Health System, the City of Oxford and Oxford’s Health Care Authority, intended to improve the health of the regional community.
Oxford Mayor Alton Craft says the city’s growth has outpaced its health care infrastructure, and a freestanding emergency department is a needed addition for residents of Oxford and the region.
“We approached UAB to fill this need in our community because we know they represent world-class patient care, consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation,” Craft said. “This project is only the beginning of health care transformation in our region. Oxford created its health care authority specifically to pursue partnerships like this one that expand access to high-quality health care services for the people of Oxford and East Alabama. This partnership is the foundation. We are partnering to bring one of the world’s leaders in health care, UAB Medicine, right here to Oxford. The Good Lord has truly blessed us. Stay tuned; there will be more to come.”
UAB Health System CEO Dawn Bulgarella says this project is important because proximity to care has a significant effect on the overall health and well-being of a community.
“This project expands care options for Oxford and surrounding communities,” Bulgarella said. “It will enhance access and support continued improvement of health outcomes across the region, which is a top priority of the UAB health system.”
Bulgarella also says partnering with UAB connects Oxford and surrounding communities to the health system’s vast care delivery network, which creates economies of scale to reduce costs and gives patients in the region better access to UAB’s world-class medical expertise, specialties and resources for an enhanced care model.
UAB Medicine already operates successful freestanding emergency departments in Gardendale, Hoover and Trussville.
“Our other freestanding emergency departments have been game-changers for their communities,” Bulgarella said. “We hope to make this one a reality in partnership with the City of Oxford soon.”
Craft says Oxford Health Systems CEO Tom Dixon has led this effort with the support of the Oxford City Council, which he says is excited about partnering with UAB.
“Tom Dixon’s idea to engage UAB, and his solid leadership and health care management knowledge, along with the work of the members of the Health Care Authority Board in moving this project forward, is a service to our city and all the region,” Craft said. “I want to thank each member of the Oxford City Council for their enthusiastic support of the authority and for their shared commitment to health and well-being, as well as their support of this project that will provide the kinds of health care services our citizens need and deserve.”
Oxford’s Health Care Authority, Oxford Health Systems, was formed in 2020 by an act of the Oxford City Council.
“It simply cannot be overstated when it comes to the potential benefits of this partnership to improve and protect the health and wellness of our citizens, our friends, the workforce in Oxford and neighbors,” Dixon said. “This agreement is the perfect example of the transformational impact we had in mind when the Health Care Authority was created. I want to recognize and thank Mayor Craft, the Oxford City Council, our health care authority board and our partners at UAB Medicine for buying into and supporting our vision and all it means to our community.
“The City of Oxford does not want to settle for second best, which is why we reached out to UAB Health System. There is no other hospital or health system, none, that can bring to Oxford the kind of quality care and operational excellence that UAB can. This partnership represents an important step in building a long-term relationship between UAB Medicine and the Oxford community as we work together to expand access to high-quality health care services in East Alabama.”
Officials will release an announcement at a later date, including the location of the proposed emergency department and additional details about the project.