UAB School of Public Health

06/04/2026

Hasta luego, obrigada!

As our time in Portugal and Spain comes to a close, students are walking away with more than just memories. They are leaving with a deeper understanding of how public health shows up in everyday life across cultures. From healthcare systems to community engagement and service learning, this experience brought population health, equity, and global perspectives to life in meaningful ways.

Read more: https://sites.uab.edu/exploringpopulationhealth/2026/06/04/hasta-luego-obrigada-reflecting-on-portugal-and-spain-2026/

06/02/2026

Final day in Seville, and we went all in. From learning how Spain’s healthcare system prioritizes access and prevention to exploring Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, this experience brought public health to life in ways we will never forget. Spain’s system, largely funded through taxes and designed to provide care at little to no cost at the point of use, reflects a strong commitment to population health and equity. 

Walking through the ICU, learning about patient-centered spaces like the Balcony of Hope, and seeing innovation in action at the BioBank reminded us that healthcare is as much about compassion and humanity as it is about science.
Grateful for the lessons, the people, and the perspective we are taking back to Alabama. 

Read more in our blog! https://sites.uab.edu/exploringpopulationhealth/2026/06/02/the-spanish-healthcare-system/

06/01/2026

Celebrating Kalea Jones from the UAB School of Public Health as part of the AJPH Student Editor Apprenticeship Program! This newly expanded initiative provides students with hands-on experience in the peer-review process and helps strengthen the future public health workforce.

We are proud to see Kalea representing UAB SOPH among this national cohort and gaining valuable experience in advancing public health research and scholarship. Congratulations, Kalea!

05/27/2026

Did you know that Seville’s Real Alcázar was once the financial and bureaucratic engine of the Spanish Empire’s global explorations? It’s where Christopher Columbus met with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella after his first transatlantic voyage. It was incredible to walk the very same halls today!

Check out our blog to learn more: https://sites.uab.edu/exploringpopulationhealth/2026/05/27/sevilles-royal-roots-inside-the-real-alcazar/

05/26/2026

Following nearly eight years of leadership at the UAB School of Public Health, Paul Erwin, M.D., DrPH, has announced plans to retire as dean as of Sept. 30, 2026. Erwin has led the school to new heights since taking the reins in 2018, expanding academic programs, growing the faculty and staff, and elevating its national profile. A nationwide search for the next dean of the UAB School of Public Health will begin soon.

Read more here:

UAB School of Public Health Dean Erwin to retire

05/26/2026

Walking through history in Córdoba!

We spent the day exploring how this incredible city became a crossroads of cultures, where Islamic, Christian, and Jewish histories beautifully intertwine. From the breathtaking layers of architecture inside the Mosque-Cathedral to learning about ancient Roman infrastructure and the city’s protector, Saint Raphael, it’s amazing to see how deeply history, culture, and community health are connected.

Read more about our day in Córdoba: https://sites.uab.edu/exploringpopulationhealth/2026/05/26/walking-through-history-in-cordoba/

05/25/2026

Seville days = public health, but make it hands-on.

From meeting with local organizations to giving back in the community, students got a real look at how health shows up in everyday life. Plus, learning about the Mediterranean diet hits different when you’re actually cooking it yourself!

Exploring, learning, eating… not a bad classroom!

Read more: https://sites.uab.edu/exploringpopulationhealth/2026/05/25/seville-exploration/

05/24/2026

POV: Making gazpacho with SOPH 🥒🍅🇪🇸

05/23/2026

Day 6 in Portugal reminded us that healthcare is about so much more than hospitals and policies, it’s about people. From learning about patient-centered care to seeing how compassion and dignity are woven into healthcare delivery, today challenged us to think about what it truly means to care for a community.

These experiences continue to deepen our understanding of population health, health equity, and the human side of public health, lessons we’ll carry back home with us.

Read more about today’s experiences here:
https://sites.uab.edu/exploringpopulationhealth/2026/05/23/where-healthcare-meets-humanity-day-6-in-portugal/

05/22/2026

We thought we were in pain… turns out we were just in Spain! 🇪🇸