Oxford, AL – A new health care initiative aimed at expanding access to medical services in East Alabama is moving forward, as UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair has filed a letter of intent with the Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency to pursue a certificate of need for multiple health care developments in Oxford.
The proposed project includes a freestanding emergency department, along with plans for a medical office building and a diagnostic imaging center. The initiative is structured as a joint venture between the UAB Health System, the City of Oxford, and the Oxford Health Care Authority.
City officials say the effort comes in response to rapid growth in Oxford and surrounding areas, which has increased demand for accessible and timely health care services. Oxford Mayor Alton Craft noted that the city’s expansion has outpaced its existing health care infrastructure, creating a need for additional facilities to serve residents and the broader region.
According to Craft, the partnership with UAB is intended to bring a higher level of care to the community while laying the groundwork for future health care developments. He emphasized that the Oxford Health Care Authority was established to pursue opportunities that improve access to quality services and strengthen the region’s overall health system.
UAB Health System CEO Dawn Bulgarella said the project reflects a broader priority of improving proximity to care, which can play a significant role in patient outcomes and community well-being. She stated that expanding access to emergency and diagnostic services in Oxford and nearby communities is expected to support ongoing improvements in regional health outcomes.
Bulgarella also highlighted the potential benefits of connecting local services to UAB’s larger care network, which includes specialized expertise, resources, and operational efficiencies that can enhance patient care while helping manage costs.
UAB Medicine currently operates freestanding emergency departments in other Alabama communities, including Gardendale, Hoover, and Trussville. Health system officials say those facilities have helped increase access to emergency care and reduce travel times for patients, and they hope to achieve similar results in Oxford.
Local leadership has credited Oxford Health Systems CEO Tom Dixon with helping guide the project, along with support from the Oxford City Council and the Health Care Authority Board. Dixon said the partnership reflects the original vision behind the creation of the authority, which was established in 2020 to pursue strategic health care collaborations.
He noted that the initiative is designed to improve and protect the health of residents, workers, and neighboring communities, while also positioning Oxford for long-term growth in health care services.
Additional details, including the proposed location of the freestanding emergency department and timelines for development, are expected to be announced at a later date as the certificate of need process moves forward.
