Connect with us

Alabama

Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System earns top marks in new report

Published

on

Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System earns top marks in new report


MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System has aced their report card, earning a five star-rating for the second year in a row from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Last year we were one of three, this year we were one of only two hospitals in the state of Alabama to achieve a five star,” said CAVHCS C.E.O. Amir Farooqi. ” Really proud of our team, and if you have a chance to meet our in-patient care team there are folks who truly put their heart into our veterans. “

The report is based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care.

Farooqi says the report is a result of hard work and consistency, and they won’t become complacent.

Advertisement

“This is the work we do every day,” touted Farooqi. “This is constantly working to improve so there’s no magic wand to this, it’s just the hard work and making sure that we keep that concentration, keep that effort towards the care, making sure we’re listening to our veterans. “

Central Alabama joins a positive trend in nationwide veteran care.

“77 percent of VA hospitals across the nation earned either a four star or five-star,” Farooqi cited. “None of them earned a one-star. I think that really says something about the care the VA is putting forward to our veterans.”

These recent reports are extra encouraging, because just over a decade ago, an audit uncovered that patient scheduling and other information was deliberately altered at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care Administration to disguise long wait times for care.

In fact, at the time, 57 percent of employees surveyed claimed they received instruction to manipulate wait times.

Advertisement

It seems those problems have mostly been resolved, since “timely and effective care” is a part of the evaluation.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!



Source link

Advertisement

Alabama

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

Published

on

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort


SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.

Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.

“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.

Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.

Advertisement

“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”

The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.

The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.

Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Alabama

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Published

on

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team


Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston. 

Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama.  Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class. 

Advertisement

The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons. 

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.





Source link

Continue Reading

Alabama

Alabama Baseball Strikes Out 17 Times in Noncompetitive Loss to Texas

Published

on

Alabama Baseball Strikes Out 17 Times in Noncompetitive Loss to Texas


Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.

The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.

“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.

Advertisement

Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.

Advertisement

Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.

Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.

The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.

“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”

Advertisement

The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.

Advertisement

The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, FacebookYouTubeInstagramThreads, and Blue Sky for the latest news.

Advertisement
Add us as a preferred source on Google





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending