Foster and Develop the SHP Community
At the School of Health Professions, community engagement is at the heart of our mission to improve health and well-being through collaborative and innovative service. We foster meaningful partnerships that bridge classrooms, clinics, and communities — empowering students, faculty, staff, and alumni to lead with compassion, integrity, and a shared commitment to social responsibility.
Together, we strive to remove barriers, reduce disparities, and uplift every individual and community we serve.
- Volunteers working on a Habitat for Humanity build
- Student volunteers sorting clothes hangers
- Student volunteers cleaning up a stream
- A student volunteers puts a box of Captain Crunch into a box at a food pantry
- Student volunteers participating in a community clean-up project
- A volunteer working at a community garden
- Sidewalk sign for an American Red Cross blood drive
- Volunteers sort donations at a toy drive
- Student volunteers sorting items at a food pantry
- Volunteers using hoes to prepare the ground at a community garden
- Student volunteer sorting clothes hangers
Volunteer Spotlights
Mamie Coats
Program Co-Director, M.S. in Biomedical and Health Sciences (MSBHS)
"Community engagement is about more than service -- it's about building partnerships that make a lasting difference."
The MSBHS program led a food drive for the Community Food Bank (CFB). It was a competition with the M.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences and M.S. in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Sciences programs that collected 1,000 lbs of food! In addition, 15 students, faculty and staff packed 700 box meals at CFB.
Sarah Tucker
Director, Post-Professional Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Received the 2025 Odessa Woolfolk Community Service Award. Each year, one UAB faculty member is recognized for their involvement with students, positive contributions to society, length of community service, and demonstrated humanitarianism.