Live HealthSmart cover 1 scaled e1716417372603 Investing in wellness: Live HealthSmart Alabama ribbon-cutting marks community upgrades [VIDEO] — Live HealthSmart partners are celebrating the success of the initiative. (Jordyn Davis / Bham Now)

Today, UAB celebrated the completion of numerous projects in Eastlake by holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Read on to find out about all of their accomplishments.

Live HealthSmart Alabama + UAB team up for a greener community

Live HealthSmart 1 Investing in wellness: Live HealthSmart Alabama ribbon-cutting marks community upgrades [VIDEO] — Dr. Mona Foud gives remarks about the innovation of Downey Park. (Jordyn Davis / Bham Now)

In April 2018, UAB’s strategic plan, ‘Forging the Future,’ launched several proposals to improve sustainability in Birmingham.

This competition saw 77 entries from across campus and the Greater Birmingham area, and only one winner prevailed: Healthy Alabama 2030: Live HeathSmart by Monda Foud, director of UAB Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center. Since then, the program has been nothing short of progressive.

“This is a great partnership between UAB and Birmingham and is at the heart of our shared progress and success. Seeing this revitilization of Eastlake is a shining example of that. The vibrancy, renewed energy and community pride is a tribute to the members who have worked with this intiative and taken great pride by investing their time and energy.”
Dr. Ray L. Watts, President, UAB

Live HealthSmart Alabama’s debut has seen various collaborations within the community to transform neighborhoods by advocating changes to policy, infrastructure and systems that contribute to wellness and economic opportunity.

What LiveHealth Smart Alabama has done for the community

This initiative has helped countless residents further their knowledge of healthier living. Here’s everything they’ve accomplished:

30 trees planted along 2nd Avenue
25 new crosswalks
15 new ADA lamps
A community garden in Eastlake
Additional light fixtures
Cleanup of 4 vacant overgrown lots
Traffic calming measures
Upgrades to Downey Park’s basketball court + walking trail

And this is just the beginning!

Forging Ahead: A revamp of UAB’s Forge the Future

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In January 2022, UAB’s Strategic Planning Council and President Ray Watt were tasked with refreshing the 2023 plan called Forging the Future. This new direction aims to increase scholarships, promote diversity, and support research related to environmental scholarship and sustainable research practices.

Along with these ambitious plans comes the opportunity for UAB students to engage in their community. Both Forging Ahead and Live HealthSmart Alabama will provide opportunities for students to propose ideas that will benefit the community and they will host events that help to improve the health of Alabama citizens.

We are amazed at the opportunities that UAB has created and look forward to seeing their accomplishments!