UA’s CCHS Receives Second Computer Facility From Shamblin Family

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences will once again benefit from the donation of a new computer facility, thanks to the generosity of Drs. Bill and James Shamblin. Physicians in specialty training in the CCHS Family Practice Residency program are the direct beneficiaries of the Shamblins’ second computer lab donation.

The new state-of-the-art facility, which contains six workstations with four computers, a fax machine, scanner and printer, is housed in the educational tower at the DCH Regional Medical Center. The lab, which was dedicated recently, is named the Dr. Roscoe Shamblin Resident Computer Lab — in memory of the Shamblins’ father. It is the second computer facility to be funded by the Shamblins. The first, named the Roscoe Shamblin Student Computer Lab, was initially dedicated at DCH in April.

Dr. Roscoe Shamblin was a longtime Tuscaloosa physician and served at DCH as a general practice physician and surgeon. Dr. Bill Shamblin served 12 years as the chair of the School of Medicine-Tuscaloosa Department of Surgery and taught students and residents throughout his 27-year career in Tuscaloosa. He also initially organized the department of surgery and recruited volunteer faculty when the medical school branch campus at UA was founded. Dr. Jim Shamblin’s medical career in Louisiana included bariatric surgery. The gift to The University of Alabama School of Medicine-Tuscaloosa is the result of a long association by the Shamblins with the college and their appreciation for what the medical school has meant to the healthcare community.

“It has been a delightful experience to be a part of the development of medical education in this area to its present standard of excellence,” said Dr. Bill Shamblin. “It is an honor for us to be allowed to participate with the medical school and The Lister Hill Society in this present venture.”

“The dedication of this new facility demonstrates the true spirit of cooperation between those who love and support the University, and the recipients of these gestures — namely our programs, faculty, students and the community at large,” said UA President Andrew Sorensen. “We are grateful for this wonderful facility and we look forward to the success it will help bring the resident physicians who will soon benefit from its services.”

The College of Community Health Sciences at the University includes a clinical branch campus of the UA School of Medicine, centrally located in Birmingham. CCHS emphasizes family practice and other primary care disciplines, as well as providing education for third and fourth-year medical students. CCHS was developed in 1971 in response to the need for accessible primary health care. Through research and service, as well as education of residents, medical students and allied health professionals, the College has been successful in filling this need. Since its inception, more than half the College’s 274 residency graduates have entered practice within Alabama.