| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1: |
TO PROVIDE COMMON MANAGEMENT OF THE EXISTING AND FUTURE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A: |
SECTION 1: MISSION STATEMENT AND UABHS INTRODUCTION THE UAB HEALTH SYSTEM (UABHS) IS AN ALABAMA NONPROFIT CORPORATION THAT OVERSEES THE ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER ACTIVITIES OF ITS TWO MEMBERS, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION, WHICH COLLABORATIVELY PROVIDE QUALITY HEALTH CARE TO THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA AND INDIVIDUALS FROM ACROSS THE NATION AND THE WORLD. UABHS' MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA, BY PROVIDING INNOVATIVE HEALTH SERVICES OF EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, QUALITY, AND PATIENT SAFETY, A SUPERIOR ENVIRONMENT FOR THE EDUCATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH TO ADVANCE MEDICAL SCIENCE. UABHS SUPPORTS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UAB SCHOOL OF MEDICINE BY OVERSEEING HOSPITAL AND CLINIC OPERATIONS, FOSTERING RESIDENCY AND FELLOWSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS, SUPPORTING THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, AND RETENTION OF FACULTY, AND CREATING HIGHLY INNOVATIVE, WELL-COORDINATED INTERDISCIPLINARY CLINICAL PROGRAMS AND PARTNERING RELATIONSHIPS THAT SERVE AS A MODEL FOR HEALTH CARE EDUCATION AND SERVICE DELIVERY. UABHS IS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR ITS TRIPARTITE MISSION OF PROVIDING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PATIENT CARE, OUTSTANDING EDUCATION OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE IN MEDICINE THROUGH GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH IN AREAS SUCH AS ONCOLOGY, NEUROSCIENCES, TRANSPLANTATION, CARDIOLOGY, TRAUMA AND BURN TREATMENT, REHABILITATION, IMMUNOBIOLOGY, VIROLOGY, GENE THERAPY, AND GENOMICS. UABHS ENCOMPASSES THE LARGEST MULTISPECIALTY GROUP OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN ALABAMA, WITH MORE THAN 1,319 PHYSICIANS SERVING PATIENTS FROM EVERY STATE IN THE NATION AND MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. IT IS A MAJOR REGIONAL, TERTIARY REFERRAL CENTER THAT TREATS SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL PATIENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST. IN FY 2015, UABHS ENTITIES DISCHARGED NEARLY 87,000 PATIENTS AND HAD 316,155 EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS. DESPITE THE FINANCIAL STRAIN IT PLACES ON THE ORGANIZATION, UABHS CARES FOR THE SICKEST, MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS, SERVING AS A SAFETY NET FOR THOSE WHO ARE TURNED AWAY FROM OTHER CARE PROVIDERS. UNCOMPENSATED CARE COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE OTHER UNFUNDED COSTS OF CARE, SUCH AS UNDERPAYMENT FROM MEDICAID AND MEDICARE. UABHS PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT CHARITY CARE TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. UABHS' ESTIMATED COST INCURRED FOR CHARITY CARE PROVIDED TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS IN FISCAL YEAR FY 2015 WAS $71,036,984. UABHS ALSO PROVIDES CARE TO A LARGE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS THAT MAY REIMBURSE BELOW COST. IN FY 2015, UABHS' UNREIMBURSED COST FOR TREATING MEDICAID PATIENTS WAS $94,512,354. IN ADDITION, UABHS ENTITIES PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT PAY FOR ALL OR ANY OF THEIR MEDICAL CARE. IN FY 2015, THE COST FOR THIS BAD DEBT WAS $112,810,308. SECTION 2: UABHS ENTITIES UABHS' FLAGSHIP FACILITY IS THE 1,157-BED UAB HOSPITAL, ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST PUBLIC HOSPITALS. IT INCLUDES THE UAB WOMEN & INFANTS CENTER, SPAIN REHABILITATION CENTER, THE CENTER FOR PSYCHIATRIC MEDICINE, AND THE FREESTANDING UAB HOSPITAL-HIGHLANDS. AS ALABAMA'S ONLY LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTER (AS DESIGNATED BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS), UAB HOSPITAL PROVIDES CARE FOR MANY OF THE MOST SERIOUS INJURIES THAT OCCUR ANYWHERE IN THE STATE THROUGH ITS EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, OPERATING ROOMS, TRAUMA/BURN UNIT, AND SPAIN REHABILITATION CENTER, ONE OF THE SOUTHEAST'S FOREMOST PROVIDERS OF COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION CARE. THE WOMEN & INFANTS CENTER OFFERS ADVANCED SERVICES AND THE LATEST MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY TO CARE FOR HEALTHY AND HIGH-RISK PREGNANT WOMEN, HEALTHY AND HIGH-RISK NEWBORNS, AND WOMEN RECEIVING CARE FOR A VARIETY OF GYNECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING GYNECOLOGICAL CANCERS. IT INCLUDES UAB'S REGIONAL NEWBORN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (RNICU), THE STATE'S LARGEST. TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN'S OF ALABAMA, UAB OFFERS THE ONLY LEVEL IV NICU IN ALABAMA - DESIGNATED BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS AS THE HIGHEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE LEVEL OF CARE AVAILABLE. UAB HOSPITAL-HIGHLANDS IS A GENERAL ACUTE CARE COMPONENT ADJACENT TO CAMPUS THAT PROVIDES AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FOR NON-TRAUMATIC AND NON-CATASTROPHIC CASES, COMPREHENSIVE SURGICAL AND NONSURGICAL TREATMENT FOR BONE AND JOINT DISORDERS, A SPECIALIZED UNIT FOR FRAGILITY FRACTURES, THE UAB SLEEP-WAKE DISORDERS CENTER, AND THE UAB GAMMA KNIFE CENTER. IT ALSO HOUSES THE ACUTE CARE FOR THE ELDERS (ACE) UNIT, THE REGION'S FIRST MODEL PATIENT UNIT FOR COORDINATED GERIATRIC CARE, AND THE UAB PAIN TREATMENT CLINIC THAT SERVES PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC CONDITIONS, INCLUDING INTRACTABLE CANCER PAIN. UABHS ALSO INCLUDES UAB CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL, THE KIRKLIN CLINIC OF UAB HOSPITAL, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION (UAHSF), AND VIVA HEALTH. UAHSF PHYSICIANS PROVIDED SERVICE FOR 1.3 MILLION OUTPATIENT VISITS IN FY 2015. UABHS OPERATES 129 CLINICS, 54 HOUSED IN THE KIRKLIN CLINIC OF UAB HOSPITAL, A CONTIGUOUS OUTPATIENT FACILITY WITH MORE THAN 33 DISTINCT CLINICAL UNITS OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS. UAHSF IS A MULTISPECIALTY PHYSICIAN PRACTICE SERVING UAB THROUGH 17 CLINICAL DEPARTMENTS AND 74 CLINICAL DIVISIONS. THE HEALTH SYSTEM SUPPORTS MORE THAN 100 SPECIALIZED CENTERS FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH, CLINICAL CARE, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH, THE LARGEST BEING THE UAB COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER, WHICH HAS HELD THE HIGHEST NCI DESIGNATION FOR MORE THAN 40 CONSECUTIVE YEARS. THE UAB CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL (CEH) IS THE ONLY EYE SPECIALTY HOSPITAL IN ALABAMA, AND ONE OF THE FEW FACILITIES IN THE WORLD, ENTIRELY DEDICATED TO ADVANCEMENTS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY. AS SUCH, THE HOSPITAL IS A KEY SERVICE OF THE UAB HEALTH SYSTEM AND OPERATES THE TEACHING PROGRAM FOR THE UAB SCHOOL OF MEDICINE - DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. THE HOSPITAL TREATS OVER 23,000 OPHTHALMIC PATIENTS EACH YEAR AND OFFERS THE ONLY 24 HOUR, 7 DAY A WEEK EYE EMERGENCY ROOM IN THE STATE AND THE ONLY LEVEL I OCULAR TRAUMA CENTER IN THE REGION. CEH OFFERS EXCELLENCE IN EYE TRAUMA, RETINAL, VITREAL, CORNEA, CORNEA TRANSPLANT, GLAUCOMA, CATARACT, LASER CATARACT, OCULOPLASTICS, ORBITAL RECONSTRUCTION, AND PEDIATRIC EYE SURGERIES, PERFORMING MORE THAN 11,000 SURGICAL CASES IN 9 OPERATING SUITES EACH YEAR. CEH SPONSORS OR PARTNERS WITH PROGRAMS TO DELIVER OCULAR SCREENING SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN ALABAMA. OTHER UABHS OPERATIONS INCLUDE THE KIRKLIN CLINIC AT ACTON ROAD, WHICH OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE CANCER, CARDIOLOGY AND OTHER EXCEPTIONAL CLINICAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS OF BIRMINGHAM; SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTERS DEDICATED TO SERVING PATIENTS THROUGHOUT THE METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA, AS WELL AS HEALTH CENTERS IN OTHER LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, INCLUDING HUNTSVILLE, MONTGOMERY, AND SELMA; UAB MEDICINE LEEDS, OPENED IN NOVEMBER 2015, IS A PRIMARY CARE SITE COMBINED WITH A FULL AMBULATORY IMAGING FACILITY; UAB MEDICINE URGENT CARE, THE FIRST URGENT CARE SITE FOR UAB MEDICINE, DESIGNED TO SERVE PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ISSUES, MINOR LACERATIONS, ORTHOPEDIC INJURIES, ETC.; VIVA HEALTH, AN ALABAMA-BASED HEALTH PLAN WITH MORE THAN 98,000 ENROLLEES, COMMITTED TO OFFERING QUALITY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE; THE VALLEY FOUNDATION IN HUNTSVILLE, A GROUP MEDICAL PRACTICE FOR PHYSICIANS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES TO ASSIST AND AID UABHS; AND THE OPHTHALMOLOGY SERVICES FOUNDATION, THE CLINICAL PRACTICE COMPONENT OF THE UAB DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. ADDITIONALLY, UABHS AFFILIATES INCLUDE MEDICAL WEST, A 310-BED ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF DIAGNOSTIC, SURGICAL, MEDICAL, AND EMERGENCY SERVICES; AND BAPTIST HEALTH IN MONTGOMERY, A PRIMARY PROVIDER OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN CENTRAL ALABAMA. BAPTIST HEALTH OF MONTGOMERY INCLUDES ITS THREE HOSPITALS: MONTGOMERY'S BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH, BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER EAST, AND PRATTVILLE BAPTIST HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION TO THE COLLECTIVE 689 LICENSED BED HOSPITAL, THE AFFILIATION INCLUDES MANAGEMENT OF A REGIONAL CANCER CENTER AND A 60-BED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY. SECTION 3: RELIEF OF THE POOR, DISTRESSED, OR UNDERPRIVILEGED/PROVISION OF CHARITY CARE THE MAIN UABHS MEDICAL CENTER IS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM, AN AREA THAT INCLUDES A HIGH NUMBER OF MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS. THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS MANY AREAS THAT ARE CHARACTERIZED BY HIGH LEVELS OF POVERTY AND A POPULATION OF MANY UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED INDIVIDUALS; MANY OF THESE PEOPLE DEPEND ON UABHS HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS FOR THEIR MEDICAL CARE. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A (CONTINUED): |
UABHS IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING HEALTH CARE AND SCREENING AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO POOR AND UNDERPRIVILEGED INDIVIDUALS. UABHS' MANY PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE UAB COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER'S DEEP SOUTH NETWORK FOR CANCER CONTROL, WHICH WORKS TO ELIMINATE DISPARITIES IN CANCER DEATH RATES BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES, TARGETING TWO POOR RURAL AND TWO POOR URBAN AREAS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI, TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMS, MINORITY ENROLLMENT IN CLINICAL TRIALS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF MINORITY JUNIOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCHERS. STILL ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON MINORITIES AND THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED IS THE MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH CENTER, A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL, RESEARCH, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER FOCUSED ON ELIMINATING RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES; AMONG ITS MANY PROGRAMS IS A HEALTH AWARENESS AND INTERVENTION STOREFRONT IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM. OTHER PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO POOR AND MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS INCLUDE THE TOT SHOTS PROGRAM THAT OFFERS FREE, WALK-IN, IMMUNIZATION SERVICES IN COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OTHERS; THE VALLEY FOUNDATION CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO REMOVE EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO INCREASE IMMUNIZATION RATES OF UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AGE 19 TO 35 MONTHS; AND EQUAL ACCESS BIRMINGHAM, A FREE CLINIC RUN BY AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF UAB VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS, MEDICAL STUDENTS, AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WHO PROVIDE FREE MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH EDUCATION TO MEDICALLY UNINSURED RESIDENTS OF BIRMINGHAM. UABHS AFFILIATE BAPTIST HEALTH HAS DEVELOPED THE CAREADVISOR PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES PATIENTS AT HOME WITH PRIMARY CARE SERVICES, MEDICATIONS, AND TRANSPORTATION TO OFFICE VISITS AT NO COST TO THOSE PATIENTS. THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO REDUCE READMISSION RATES AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR THE RECENTLY DISCHARGED, AS WELL IMPROVE AS THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF PATIENTS IN THE BAPTIST HEALTH COMMUNITY. UAB MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY PROGRAM, WHICH SERVES MORE THAN 2,000 ADULTS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS RESIDING IN THE CATCHMENT AREA OF CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY. IT PROVIDES PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION, STATE-OF-THE-ART TREATMENT, AN ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT TEAM WITH OUTREACH INTO THE COMMUNITY, AND A DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM. THE ADULT PSYCHIATRY PROGRAM OFFERS EVALUATION AND TREATMENT, INCLUDING PSYCHOTHERAPY. THE ENGEL SCHOOL, THAT SERVES PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, PROVIDES A DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS CHILDREN TO MAINTAIN ACADEMIC PROGRESS. SPECIAL POPULATIONS ARE SERVED, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER, YOUNG ADULTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THEIR FIRST EPISODE OF PSYCHOSIS, AND AN LGBTQ CLINIC. THE CENTER FOR PSYCHIATRIC MEDICINE RESERVES 10 BEDS FOR THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE CARE OF ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE WARDS OF THE STATE, FILLING A NEEDED GAP IN THE EXISTING CONTINUUM OF CARE. THE HOSPITAL ALSO RENOVATED, EQUIPPED, AND STAFFED A NEW 20-BED UNIT IN RESPONSE TO ANOTHER COMMUNITY NEED: HOUSING PATIENTS WHO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LEGAL COMMITMENT TO THE STATE MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL OR WHO ARE EXPECTED TO NEED A MORE PROLONGED HOSPITALIZATION. PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATION IS READILY AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS IN EMERGENCY OR INPATIENT SERVICES. THE UAB SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION, TREATMENT, OFFENDER SUPERVISION, AND RESEARCH, INCLUDING: TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES, A PROGRAM THAT WORKS TO IMPROVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INCLUDING ADULT(I.E. PROBLEM SOLVING COURTS, COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, AND PRETRIAL RELEASE) AND YOUTH EFFORTS (I.E. ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM, ELECTRONIC MONITORING, PREVENTION, JUVENILE DRUG COURT); THE BEACON ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER, WHICH PROVIDES ABSTINENCE-BASED OUTPATIENT AND INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS WHO ABUSE OR ARE DEPENDENT ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. SECTION 4: REDUCTION OF GOVERNMENT BURDEN AND PROVISION OF UNPROFITABLE SERVICES UABHS PARTNERS WITH LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS IN A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM. THE BIRMINGHAM REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM (BREMSS) IS ADMINISTRATIVELY A COMPONENT OF UABHS, WITH POLICY DIRECTION PROVIDED BY A BOARD WITH REPRESENTATION FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, HOSPITALS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDER GROUPS WITHIN A SEVEN-COUNTY REGION OF ALABAMA. BREMSS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATION OF AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM WITHIN THESE COUNTIES. BREMSS ALSO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL DIRECTION ASPECTS, EQUIPMENT GRANT FUNDING, EMS AGENCY IMPROVEMENTS FROM BASIC LIFE SUPPORT TO ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT FUNCTIONS, AN EMS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, MASS CASUALTY INCIDENTS, AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES. BREMSS HAS PROVIDED A REGIONAL TRAUMA SYSTEM SINCE 1996, A STROKE SYSTEM SINCE 2000, AND A STEMI SYSTEM SINCE 2010. THESE ACUTE CARE SYSTEMS PROVIDE FOR CENTRALIZED ROUTING OF ALL ACUTE-EVENT PATIENTS, INCLUSIVE OF PATIENT OUTCOMES AND EMT EDUCATION. THE TRAUMA SYSTEM HAS LOWERED TRAUMA MORTALITY BY GREATER THAN 12%, AND THE STROKE SYSTEM HAS LOWERED STROKE MORTALITY BY GREATER THAN 7.6%. BREMSS FUNCTIONS AS AN AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION TRAINING CENTER, AND, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE UAB TRAUMA PROGRAM, IT ALSO PROVIDES ADVANCED TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 200 DOCTORS AND ADVANCED BURN SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 100 HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS EACH YEAR. UNDER A GRANT FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, BREMSS OPERATES THE ALABAMA TRAUMA COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (ATCC), WHICH ANNUALLY ROUTES MORE THAN 10,000 SERIOUSLY INJURED TRAUMA PATIENTS TO RECOGNIZED TRAUMA AND STROKE HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE ATCC ALSO ACTS AS THE HUB FOR PATIENT ROUTING OF SERIOUSLY INJURED PATIENTS IN MASS CASUALTY INCIDENTS STATEWIDE. UAB PHYSICIANS PERFORMED THEIR FIRST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT IN 1968; SINCE THAT TIME THE TRANSPLANT PROGRAM HAS PERFORMED MORE THAN 14,000 SOLID ORGAN TRANSPLANTS. UAB'S TRANSPLANT PROGRAM IS THE LARGEST COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN THE SOUTH AND LEADS THE NATION IN LIVING DONOR TRANSPLANTATION WITH ALMOST 4,000 TRANSPLANTS TO DATE. UAB PERFORMS KIDNEY, LIVER, HEART, LUNG, AND PANCREAS SOLID ORGAN TRANSPLANTS, AND CURRENTLY HAS THE NATION'S LONGEST ONGOING KIDNEY TRANSPLANT CHAIN, 56 PEOPLE SO FAR. A $19.5 MILLION GRANT WAS RECENTLY AWARD TO UAB FROM UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION TO FACILITATE MORE TRANSPLANTS FOR MORE PATIENTS. UAB IS ALSO KNOWN AS AN INNOVATOR IN PROVIDING ACCESS TO TRANSPLANTATION FOR PATIENTS IN NEED. UAB ALSO OFFERS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION FOR A VARIETY OF HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES, AS WELL AS AUTOLOGOUS ISLET CELL TRANSPLANTATION FOR CHRONIC PANCREATITIS. ADDITIONALLY, THROUGH CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL, UAB OFFERS CORNEAL AND RETINA TRANSPLANTS. UABHS' REGIONAL SPINAL CORD INJURY CARE SYSTEM, ONE OF 14 SUCH MODEL SYSTEMS IN THE NATION, OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR PATIENTS WITH INJURED SPINAL CORDS. SPONSORED BY THE ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING WITHIN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, IT HELPS ESTABLISH INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FOR THE DELIVERY, DEMONSTRATION, AND EVALUATION OF COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL, VOCATIONAL, AND OTHER REHABILITATION SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY. SERVICES OFFERED BY THE SYSTEM INCLUDE ALL PHASES OF CARE, INCLUDING MEDICAL AND ACUTE CARE SERVICES, PHYSICAL AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP, RESEARCH, AND THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION. UAB IS 1 OF ONLY 7 CENTERS IN THE NATION TO BECOME A MEMBER OF TWO FEDERAL NETWORKS FOR RESEARCH AND CARE, THOSE BEING THE MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE UNITS NETWORK AND THE NEONATAL RESEARCH NETWORK OF THE NIH. THESE PARTNERSHIPS HAVE PRODUCED GROUNDBREAKING ACHIEVEMENTS IN OBSTETRICS AND NEONATOLOGY RESEARCH, HELPING REDUCE MATERNAL AND NEONATAL MORTALITY AND SERIOUS MORBIDITIES WHILE INVESTIGATING INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT STEMMING MAJOR PERINATAL COMPLICATIONS. MORE THAN 600 LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT BABIES AND NEARLY 1,000 PRETERM BABIES (FEWER THAN 37 WEEKS OF GESTATION) ARE BORN AT UAB HOSPITAL EACH YEAR, REPRESENTING THE MAJORITY OF THE HIGHEST RISK BABIES IN THE STATE. THE OBSTETRIC UNIT CARES FOR THE MOST COMPLEX PREGNANCIES (MOTHER AND/OR FETUS) IN ALABAMA. IN ADDITION, MANY CRITICALLY ILL NEONATES ARE TRANSPORTED TO UAB HOSPITAL FROM OTHER HOSPITALS FOR CARE IN THE STATE'S ONLY LEVEL IV REGIONAL NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (RNICU). THESE COMBINED SERVICES ACT AS THE OBSTETRICAL AND NEONATAL "SAFETY NET". UAB IS THE ONLY FACILITY IN ALABAMA AND THE NEIGHBORING REGION WITH NEONATOLOGISTS AND MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE SPECIALISTS IN-HOUSE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A (CONTINUED): |
UAB SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FACULTY DIRECT THE CIVITAN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER (CIRC) WHICH HAS AS ITS MISSION IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WITH RARE DISORDERS THAT OFTEN HAVE DIFFICULTY FINDING A MEDICAL HOME THAT OFFERS STATE-OF-THE-ART TREATMENT FROM QUALIFIED SPECIALISTS. CIRC FACULTY SEEK TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH CONDUCTING BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH AND TO USE THIS KNOWLEDGE TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, EXEMPLARY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, INTERDISCIPLINARY CLINICAL AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND A TIMELY EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION WITH CONSUMERS, PRACTITIONERS, SCIENTISTS, AND SOCIETY. THE UAB DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS, A COMPONENT OF THE UAB SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DELIVERS OUTSTANDING CARE FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WITH OR AT RISK FOR GENETIC CONDITIONS. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES COMMUNITY EDUCATION; COMPREHENSIVE PRENATAL, PEDIATRIC, AND ADULT INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT GENETIC SERVICES, INCLUDING DIAGNOSIS, MEDICAL MANAGEMENT, CLINICAL TRIALS OF NEW TREATMENTS, AND GENETIC COUNSELING; STATE-OF-THE-ART LABORATORY SERVICES, INCLUDING CYTOGENETICS, MOLECULAR GENETICS, AND BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS; AND EXCEPTIONAL CLINICS THAT OFFER UNCOMMON SERVICES, SUCH AS THE MARFAN SYNDROME CLINIC. FOR SOME CONDITIONS, SUCH AS NEUROFIBROMATOSIS, TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX, AND LYSOSOMAL STORAGE DISORDERS, THE DEPARTMENT IS A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL REFERRAL SOURCE. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO IS HOME TO THE UAB UNDIAGNOSED DISEASES PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH COMPLEX MULTI-SYSTEM DISORDERS THAT HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE. THE PROGRAM IS ABLE TO OFFER WHOLE GENOME SEQUENCING TO HELP IDENTIFY RARE GENETIC CAUSES FOR COMPLEX DISORDERS. SECTION 5: PROVISION OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICES UAB HOSPITAL HAS BEEN RANKED ON U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT'S "BEST HOSPITALS" LIST FOR 23 CONSECUTIVE YEARS, AND IT IS RANKED NO. 1 IN ALABAMA. THE CLINICAL ENTERPRISE OFFERS CUTTING-EDGE PATIENT CARE, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED FACILITIES, DOCTORS AT THE TOP OF THEIR FIELDS OF EXPERTISE, AND NURSES AND MEDICAL STAFF WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THEIR PATIENTS EVERY DAY. TO MAINTAIN AND EXTEND ITS EXCELLENCE, UABHS HAS UNDERTAKEN MAJOR PROCESSES TO KEEP PATIENT SATISFACTION, QUALITY, SAFETY, AND OTHER FACTORS AT A HIGH LEVEL. UABHS IS A MAJOR REFERRAL CENTER OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES AS WELL AS SPECIALTY AND SUBSPECIALTY CARE, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF CARDIOVASCULAR CARE, MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIAC, UROLOGICAL, AND GYNECOLOGICAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES; ROBOTIC SURGERY, NEUROSURGERY, COMPREHENSIVE CANCER SERVICES, COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF HIV/AIDS, GERIATRICS, EMERGENCY HYPERBARIC WOUND CARE, RHEUMATOLOGY, DERMATOLOGY, RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN, TRANSPLANTATION, AND MANY OTHERS. ALABAMA'S DIABETES AND OBESITY RATES ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION, AND UABHS FACILITIES INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE DIABETES CENTER WHOSE FACULTY ARE ENGAGED IN PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY INNOVATIVE CARE TO DIABETES PATIENTS; CONDUCTING CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH INTO THE CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF DIABETES; AND TRAINING FUTURE GENERATIONS OF DIABETES CLINICIANS AND RESEARCHERS. UAB HOSPITAL'S INPATIENT DIABETES AND GLYCEMIC CONTROL PROGRAM NOW IDENTIFIES AND TREATS ALL PATIENTS ENTERING THE HOSPITAL AND REFERS NEW OR PROBLEMATIC PATIENTS TO NEWLY FORMED FOLLOW-UP CLINICS. THE UAB CENTER FOR AIDS RESEARCH (CFAR) IS ONE OF THE SEVEN ORIGINAL CENTERS ESTABLISHED IN 1988 BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES TO STIMULATE RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT CONCERNING AIDS AND HIV. FROM ITS INCEPTION, THE BIRMINGHAM CFAR HAS PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH IN BOTH THE BASIC AND CLINICAL SCIENCES. IN KEEPING WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, THE UAB CFAR HAS FOCUSED EXTENSIVELY ON THREE MAJOR AREAS IN 2015: (1) REBUILDING BASIC SCIENCES AT THE UAB CFAR; (2) STUDYING THE NATURAL HISTORY OF HIV IN THE TREATMENT ERA; AND (3) DEVELOPING NOVEL INTERVENTIONS FOR HIV PREVENTION IN THE COMMUNITY. IN 2015, A TOTAL OF 234 PROJECTS RECEIVED RESEARCH FACILITATION FROM THE UAB CFAR, UTILIZING ALL 8 OF OUR SPONSORED CORES (ADMINISTRATIVE, DEVELOPMENT, CLINICAL, BIOSTATISTICS, GENOMICS, FLOW CYTOMETRY, VIROLOGY, AND BEHAVIORAL AND COMMUNITY SCIENCES). THESE STUDIES RESULTED IN 308 PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS. CFAR ENCOMPASSES THE 1917 CLINIC, WHICH RECEIVES FUNDING FROM THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT MODERNIZATION ACT TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO CARE FOR LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED, AND UNDERINSURED ADULTS INFECTED WITH HIV. THIS ACADEMICALLY-BASED CLINIC IS THE LARGEST HIV HEALTH CARE UNIT IN ALABAMA. FOR MORE THAN 28 YEARS, THE CLINIC HAS PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE CORE MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO ADULT HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS. THE ALABAMA HIV/AIDS CLINICAL TRIALS UNIT, NESTED WITHIN THE UAB 1917 CLINIC, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIV/AIDS VACCINE, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT RESEARCH. THE UNIT IS FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES. IN MID-2015, THE ALABAMA COALITION FOR TESTING, INTERVENTIONS, AND ENGAGEMENT IN HCV CARE (ACTIVE-C) RECEIVED A $1.5 MILLION GRANT FROM GILEAD FOUNDATION TO LEAD A DYNAMIC AND INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION AMONG ACADEMIC, FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO FIGHT HEPATITIS C IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA. THE UAB CFAR AND THE UAB LIVER CENTER ARE THE ADMINISTRATIVE HUB FOR THIS NETWORK, LEVERAGING EXPERTISE IN FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION, HEALTH INFORMATICS, DATA SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT OF LARGE NETWORKS, AND MEDICAL EDUCATION. SECTION 6: ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE UABHS SUPPORTS WIDE RANGING, CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH. PROGRAMS INCLUDE TWO SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS OF RESEARCH EXCELLENCE (SPORES): CERVICAL CANCER AND PANCREATIC CANCER. SPORES ARE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE THAT PROMOTE INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH, WITH A GOAL OF MOVING BASIC RESEARCH FINDINGS RAPIDLY FROM THE LABORATORY TO CLINICAL SETTINGS. UABHS CLINICIAN-SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN PIONEERING RESEARCH IN A NUMBER OF DISCIPLINES. UAB COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER SCIENTISTS WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO DEVELOP AND TEST MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AS A CANCER THERAPEUTIC, AND THE WORLD'S FIRST GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MOUSE-HUMAN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY WAS USED AT UAB HOSPITAL IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. SCIENTISTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CELL, DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY WERE THE FIRST IN THE NATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH INVESTIGATORS AT THE WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, TO CURE SICKLE CELL ANEMIA IN MICE USING INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS. BUILDING ON THIS SUCCESS, UAB HAS ESTABLISHED A STEM CELL INSTITUTE THAT IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT TOP NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS AND BOOST THE REGION'S SCIENTIFIC TALENT POOL. SECTION 7: PUBLIC EDUCATION UABHS HOSTS A NUMBER OF WELLNESS AND SCREENING PROGRAMS FOR THE PUBLIC IN AREAS INCLUDING UROLOGY, DERMATOLOGY, VASCULAR HEALTH, HEART HEALTH, GENERAL HEALTH, AND OTHER FIELDS. UABHS FACULTY ROUTINELY PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL TALKS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE PUBLIC ON TOPICS SUCH AS PSORIASIS, HEART HEALTH, SELF-CARE FOR DIABETES, AND OTHER SUBJECTS. UAB MEDICAL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, PERFORMING BLOOD PRESSURE, BLOOD GLUCOSE, AND WEIGHT EVALUATIONS AT HOMELESS SHELTERS AND BUSINESSES IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA. INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN THESE COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENTS ALSO RECEIVE COUNSELING ON DIET AND SMOKING CESSATION. SECTION 8: PROVISION OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS UABHS SUPPORTS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH THE BENEVOLENT FUND, UAB'S OWN SYSTEM OF SUPPORTING CHARITABLE, SERVICE, AND HEALTH AGENCIES TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR UAB EMPLOYEES TO HELP THOSE IN NEED IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1984, THE FUND HAS CONTRIBUTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO INDEPENDENT CHARITABLE AGENCIES, LOCAL HEALTH CHARITIES, THE UNITED WAY, AND THE UAB EMPLOYEE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINES 6 & 7A: |
UAB HEALTH SYSTEM ("UABHS" OR "THE ORGANIZATION") HAS TWO MEMBERS, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION, P.C. EACH MEMBER APPOINTS 9 OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE UABHS BOARD. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 7B: |
MEMBER APPROVAL IS REQUIRED FOR: 1) SALE, LEASE OR OTHER DISPOSITION, OTHER THAN IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS, OF ANY UABHS MATERIAL OPERATING ASSETS; 2) UABHS ASSIGNMENT OF ITS RIGHTS TO A THIRD PARTY; 3) ADDITION OF NEW MEMBERS TO UABHS; 4) ISSUANCE OR INCURRENCE OF DEBT BY UABHS; AND 5) ANY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY UABHS WITH ITS OWN FUNDS OVER $5,000,000. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 11B: |
THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP. AFTER THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED, IT IS REVIEWED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCE STAFF, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, TWO ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS, AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 12C: |
ANNUAL DISCLOSURES ARE REQUIRED AND ARE REVIEWED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM HEALTH SYSTEMS BOARD. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINES 15A & 15B: |
A COMPENSATION CONSULTANT IS ENGAGED TO ADVISE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE CEO'S COMPENSATION AND THE COMPENSATION OF OTHER KEY MEMBERS OF MANAGEMENT. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD ANNUALLY REVIEWS THE CEO'S TOTAL COMPENSATION AND SUBMITS ITS RECOMMENDATION OF THE CEO'S COMPENSATION FOR THE COMING YEAR TO THE BOARD FOR ITS APPROVAL. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 19: |
THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.