UAB nursing school reopens clinic at The Foundry

Interesting read: http://www.alabamas13.com/story/2302...reopens-clinic

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Nursing has reopened the health clinic at The Foundry.

After the original clinic closed in April, collaborative efforts between The Foundry Rescue Mission and Recovery Center and UAB School of Nursing officials were able to reopen the clinic under a new name: the UAB School of Nursing Foundry Clinic.

"Without the generous offer of space from The Foundry Rescue Mission and Recovery Center, as well as maintenance services and technology support, the school would not have had the option to resume the clinic's operation," said Linda Roussel, D.S.N., R.N., faculty in the school of nursing. "This would have created a critical void of healthcare services for The Foundry's residents and the community at large."

The clinic provides primary care for patients 14 years of age and older. It also tackles urgent care for health concerns like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The clinic is staffed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday by UAB School of Nursing certified nursing practitioners and faculty members, in addition to other full-time staff.

"The first week we were open, we had a patient who said she called around couldn't afford the least expensive clinic visit elsewhere," said D'Ann Somerall. "She came to us and could afford our $35 fee. After her exam, she cried and said that she felt so accepted and cared for. That is why this clinic is so important. "

The clinic is a vital program for The Foundry, especially when sickness starts spreading through the 150-person program.

Future plans for the clinic include opening on Fridays and hosting vaccine clinics, among other initiatives.