“University Medical Center-Northport increases access to health care for people in Northport and Tuscaloosa, giving people in those communities another place to receive their health care,” said Leslie Zganjar, director of communications. “University Medical Center-Northport provides quality, patient-centered care in the areas of family medicine and obstetrics, two primary care specialties that are so important in preventing illness and keeping patients healthy.”
The ceremony will be held in the Fitness One building, 1325 McFarland Blvd., Suite 102 at 5 p.m.
Though the center opened in the beginning of July, the grand opening will serve to provide information to potential patients, giving them an opportunity to learn more about what the facility will offer.
The facility will also function as a source of education to UA students.
“It’s an expansion of the University Medical Center,” said Candice Biby, administrative director of clinical services. “Because our resident education program expanded, we expanded our clinic in Northport with them to give a greater learning environment. It creates more learning opportunities for students and it also helps the community; it’s a bigger population that we can serve.”
Nursing students are encouraged to get outside experience in order to learn how to adapt to new environments, and to learn how to handle situations. Kourtni Walsingham, a sophomore majoring in nursing, said she believes working at the new location could be a great experience.
“The new hospital could give students a new place to volunteer and more people to work with,” she said. “I know it’s centered around family care and obstetrics, so if students are looking into specializing in those fields, they could learn a lot from being a part of that hospital. It’s always good to have some experience out of the program, so I think to work in a brand new hospital would be a great first experience.”
Dr. H. Joseph Fritz will serve as clinical director, whose previously practiced at the Warrior Family Center in 2014.
There will be a number of clinics and services provided, including an evening clinic for patients who may work or have priorities during the day. This will be held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. by appointment or for urgent care.
“University Medical Center-Northport also serves as another patient care site for resident physicians from The University of Alabama Family Medicine Residency,” Zganjar said. “The residency is operated by the College of Community Health Sciences at The University of Alabama and is one of the oldest and largest family medicine residencies in the country. Through the residency, physicians received additional education and training in the specialty of family medicine.”
