ALABAMA’S NEUROLOGIST SHORTAGE

Did you know Alabama residents do not have adequate access to Neurologic Health Care?

The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences is Striving to Change That!

Vanessa Sui class of 2019, Matt McCay class of 2020

Matt McCay, MD, CCHS c/o 2020; Vanessa Sui, MD, CCHS c/o 2019, both current UAB Neurology residents.

Andrew Elson class of 2019 and Scott Thomas class of 2017

Andrew Elson, MD, CCHS c/o 2019, current Neurology resident at Emory University; Scott Thomas, MD, CCHS c/o 2017, UAB residency graduate and current practicing neurologist in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Our initiatives include

  • A robust clinical training program in neurology for our medical students.
  • Dedicated recruitment of medical students with ties to rural Alabama.
  • An Endowed Scholarship in Neurology that will, once funded, be awarded to students who train in neurology and plan to stay in Alabama!

How can I help improve future access to neurology in Alabama?

  • Did you know the average medical student graduates medical school with almost $250,000 in student loan debt?
  • Debt relief allows students to freely choose their specialty and practice location.
  • The CCHS Endowed Scholarship in Neurology was established to relieve debt for students who choose Neurology and plan to stay in Alabama to practice.
  • We are actively funding this scholarship – even the smallest donations will be matched by a generous donor pledge until the scholarship is fully established.
  • CLICK HERE TO DONATE, ALL FUNDS ARE MATCHED!

Why do we need Neurologists?

  • Neurologists are uniquely trained to treat a specialized range of diseases, including seizures and epilepsy, headache disorders, movement disorders such as Parkinson’s, stroke, muscle disorders such as ALS, dementia, and neuroimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis
  • The average wait time to see a neurologist around the state ranges from months to more than a year for some diseases!
  • This will only worsen with time: Alabama’s population will age by 62% in the 65+ population by 2030, in some counties as much as 73%!
  • Of the approximately 177 neurologists practicing in Alabama, 80 are at University of Alabama at Birmingham and another 60 are approaching retirement, leaving us with a worsening demand for neurologists, with rural areas hit disproportionality hard.

“I initially desired to become a physician to develop long-term relationships with patients and strengthen communities by working to improve the health of those living within them. I found myself drawn to patients with neurological issues and I saw that neurology offered these relational and community health opportunities as well as a fascinating area of practice. While working in clinics throughout Alabama, I have seen incredible gaps in access to healthcare, especially in rural areas. While I cannot solve every problem and every healthcare disparity in the state, I can at least be physically present in more rural communities, so that I can do my part to fill this gap in access from within the most underserved areas. My ultimate goal is to provide high-quality, general neurology care in order to further the health and wellness of all within my community.”

Taylor Tucker, fourth-year medical student at CCHS


University Medical Center COVID-19 Update
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The Southeastern USA is hit disproportionately hard by many diseases, notably including stroke.

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Overall, the state’s population is aging, which will dramatically increase need for neurologic care of age-related neurologic disease.

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Alabama will continue to battle a shortage of neurologists well into the future unless we dramatically increase our output of neurology trainees.