City of Oxford leadership recently joined Oxford Health Systems and UAB Medicine representatives for a visit to the UAB Gardendale Freestanding Emergency Department (FED), where Mayor Alton Craft, Councilmember Phil Gardner, and members of the city of Oxford team toured the facility to gain firsthand insight into the model of care being planned for Oxford.

The visit provided city leaders with an opportunity to see how a freestanding emergency department operates, with a focus on efficient emergency services, patient-centered care, and modern healthcare delivery designed to better serve growing communities.

The City of Oxford continues to work alongside Oxford Health Systems and UAB Medicine in a collaborative effort to expand access to high-quality healthcare for Oxford residents and the surrounding region. The planned freestanding emergency department and physician clinics represent a major step forward in strengthening local healthcare infrastructure and bringing advanced medical services closer to home.

“During our visit to Gardendale, we were able to see firsthand how a freestanding emergency department serves a community through efficient, high-quality emergency care delivered in a patient-focused environment,” said Tom Dixon, CEO of Oxford Health Systems. “Every aspect of the visit reinforced our shared vision for what we seek to bring to Oxford.”

Dixon added that “the future Oxford Freestanding Emergency Department and physician clinics represent a significant investment in healthcare access for our region, bringing advanced emergency services and world-class UAB Medicine closer to home for the people we serve.”

The City of Oxford appreciates the partnership and shared commitment demonstrated by Oxford Health Systems and UAB Medicine throughout this process and extends sincere thanks to the UAB Gardendale FED team for welcoming the group and sharing their experience as planning continues for the future of healthcare in Oxford.