Contributed by EAMC
In an effort to improve health care for residents of East Central Alabama, East Alabama Medical Center has donated a parcel of land in Opelika to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB). The land is located on the southeast corner of Dunlop Drive and Waverly Parkway. Construction bids are currently taking place for the 7,900-square-foot facility, and AIDB expects to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in mid-April.
EAMC President and CEO Laura Grill, who serves as secretary on the AIDB Foundation Board of Directors, says helping AIDB open a new location in Opelika will be extremely beneficial to deaf and blind residents throughout the area.
“We’re so excited that the AIDB has chosen to build a regional facility here that will serve five counties in this area,” said Grill. “And we’re pleased to provide them the land for this facility that will basically make them a next-door neighbor to our Opelika campus. We fully support the mission of AIDB and the great work they do. This partnership is vital for our residents.”
“We sincerely appreciate the support of EAMC,” said John Mascia, Au.D., President of AIDB. “Our purpose at AIDB is to transform the lives of those we serve beyond expectations by refusing to let adversity limit any individual’s potential. Strong community partnerships, such as our relationship with EAMC, will allow us to do great work with the local deaf, blind and deafblind community.”
The AIDB Opelika Regional Center will serve Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa counties. It will provide services to individuals from infancy through adulthood who are deaf, blind, deafblind and multi-disabled, and their families. Whether by educational development for young children, training for families, or adjust and support for adults; AIDB’s services will be available where people need it the most—in their home community.
Early intervention will be available to eligible infants, children and families. A host of support services will be provided to children in the local school systems as well as adult services like case management, Braille and ASL training, job coaching, advocacy and transportation.
Along with housing the regional center staff, the building will include space for use by the community for training, a computer lab and assistive technology.
About Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind:
Founded in 1858, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind is America’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation and service program serving individuals of all ages who are blind, deaf, deafblind or multi-disabled. Through five campuses in Talladega and a statewide network of Regional Centers, AIDB provides services to over 30,000 people per year. For more information about Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, please visit www.aidb.org.
About EAMC:
East Alabama Medical Center is a 340-bed regional referral hospital located in Opelika that serves a nine-county area. The EAMC organization includes EAMC-Lanier hospital in Valley; between the two hospitals and their collective service lines, there are about 3,500 employees. EAMC is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University. Among the services that EAMC provides are open-heart surgery and cancer treatment, both of which are highly acclaimed specialties at EAMC. The hospital also operates multiple physician practices and the Auburn University Medical Clinic. EAMC will soon open a facility in the Auburn Research Park called the Auburn Medical Pavilion. It will include the East Alabama Medical Center Freestanding Emergency Department, as well as a surgery center, pharmacy and outpatient imaging. The EAMC-Lanier campus in Valley has a nursing home, acute rehab unit and offers occupational medicine. For more information, visit www.eamc.org.