Infirmary Health in Mobile has become an affiliate of the UAB Health System.

"The affiliation links two outstanding health care organizations," said Will Ferniany, PhD, CEO of the UAB Health System.

"This affiliation will extend the clinical expertise and research capabilities of UAB to southwest Alabama," said Mark Nix, president and CEO of Infirmary Health.

The Infirmary Health System is a four-hospital system headquartered in Mobile. Representing more than 700 physicians and 5,000 employees, it includes Mobile Infirmary, Thomas Hospital, North Baldwin Infirmary and Atmore Community Hospital.

The two health systems will collaborate in a number of areas, include the burgeoning field of telemedicine. Other areas of collaboration may include oncology, and in the handling of complex cases in fields such as neurology, neurosurgery and neonatology.

"Additionally, we will work together on economies of scale to aid in controlling health care costs," Nix said. "We are already in conversations to expand the presence of UAB specialty physicians in Infirmary Health facilities to cover underserved medical specialties throughout our communities."

UAB may also work with Infirmary to create exposure to potential medical residency rotations or additional residency positions for existing programs. The affiliation will also link UAB and community physicians for increased opportunities for collaboration regarding quality patient care.

"We were committed to identifying a clinical partner in the Mobile Bay region," Ferniany said. "UAB does certain procedures -- in cancer and transplantation, for example -- that are not available anywhere else in Alabama. This affiliation will improve access for patients in Mobile to those procedures at UAB when necessary, while continuing to get the bulk of their medical care at home."

The arrangement could also show benefit in supply chain and revenue cycle management, along with recruitment and incentive programs for medical students and residents.