Rural health care shortage pervasive in Alabama
Gadsden Times – Sept. 8
Fifty-four of Alabama’s 67 counties are defined as rural by the Alabama Rural Health Association, with significant rural areas even in the 13 urban counties as defined by census statistics. Sixty-two Alabama counties are officially designated as completely or partially “Health Professional Shortage Areas,” according to Linda Jackson, communications specialist with the University of Alabama’s Rural Health Leaders Pipeline. There is a severe shortage of doctors in rural communities, and the doctors who are there are aging, so Alabama will need doctors, especially primary care physicians, to replace them soon. Primary care includes family medicine, pediatrics and internal medicine. Campus-based programs at the University of Alabama include the Rural Health Scholars Program for various ages.
Kentucky clerk who refused same-sex marriage licenses to file appeal
Cayman INews – Sept. 8
A Kentucky county clerk has appealed a judge’s decision to put her in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Attorneys for Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis officially appealed the ruling on Sunday. The three page motion does not include arguments as to why Davis should be released but amends Davis’ earlier appeal of the judge’s order. Davis objects to same-sex marriage for religious reasons and stopped issuing all marriage licenses in June after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide. Two gay couples and two straight couples sued her. U.S. District Judge David Bunning ordered Davis to issue the licenses and the Supreme Court upheld his ruling … University of Alabama School of Law professor Ronald Krotoszynski Jr. tells Newsmax that he was surprised as well. A judge usually starts with a fine first, Krotoszynski said, before moving to incarceration. The exception is with journalists who refuse to give up their confidential sources. Staver is appealing the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, but Krotoszynski said he doesn’t expect to see the decision overturned. Unless the Sixth Circuit finds the judge was “wildy inappropriate” in his ruling, it will stand, he said.
Award-winning artist teaches book arts course
Crimson White – Sept. 9
Award-winning book artist and letterpress Amy Pirkle instructs three book arts courses in the Honors College at The University of Alabama. The classes range from two different imaginative and innovative studio-based book art and papermaking courses, to an in-depth history of the creation of the art and art behind the practices. The Georgia native began bookmaking during an abroad trip to Italy while she was still in college. Pirkle, a double major in arts and English at the time, recalls seeing a book arts class on her available course options list for the trip and being immediately intrigued. “Could it be possible there was a class out there that offered both of my loves combined?” Pirkle said.
Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge inspires campuses to stay active
Crimson White – Sept. 9
With fall just around the corner, students are beginning to settle into having bogged down lives which include trying to fit classes, social life and, let’s not forget, game days into their busy schedules. For many, this means putting exercise at the bottom of their priority list. However, starting this past Monday, September 6, and lasting until Saturday, October 17, students and faculty will be able to participate in a way to stay active. The Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge is a nonprofit organization and is responsible for the end goal of inspiring campuses to stay active by seeing which school is able to get the greatest amount of students outside, therefore accumulating points for The University of Alabama. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get involved on campus as well as having the possibility of benefiting the school,” said Dillon Caldwell, freshman participant.