UAB Health System is continuing its expansion of community-based care with plans to develop a third freestanding emergency department—this time in Oxford, Alabama. The project is currently in the early stages, with a letter of intent submitted to the Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency to obtain necessary approvals.
The proposed facility would be a joint effort between UAB, the city of Oxford, and Oxford Health Systems, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing growing healthcare demands in the region.
Local leaders cite rapid population growth as a key driver behind the need for expanded emergency services. For UAB, the initiative aligns with a broader strategy to improve access to care by bringing services closer to where patients live—while also connecting them to a larger network of specialty care and resources.
Freestanding emergency departments have already proven effective within the UAB system, with existing locations helping to ease capacity challenges and improve response times in surrounding communities. This new facility aims to build on that success, further enhancing access and supporting better health outcomes across the region.
Additional details, including timeline and exact location, are expected as the project moves through the approval process.
Resource: ‘Game-changers for their communities’: UAB plans 3rd freestanding ED