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UAH College of Nursing unveils "Neighborhood Nursing" pilot to bring screenings and on-site referrals to Huntsville neighborhoods
Summary
UAH College of Nursing presented "Neighborhood Nursing," a community-led initiative to embed nursing services and neighborhood ambassadors in local areas; pilot screenings are planned for January 2026 in Bob Harrison area, Brookside, Northwoods and Triana and the college asked the council for partnership and support.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing outlined a new community-health model it said will bring free screenings and on-site referral services directly into neighborhood settings.
"Neighborhood nursing is a one-of-a-kind initiative in the nation uniquely designed to embed nursing care directly into communities," Dr. Azita Amiri, associate dean for research at UAH’s College of Nursing, told the Huntsville City Council on Oct. 23. She said the program will be led by neighborhood ambassadors and is intended to reduce disparities in access to preventive care.
Amiri said the initiative will offer multi-station screening events covering cancer, mental health, kidney disease, diabetes, heart and maternal health. If screenings show a need for follow-up care, participants will be connected to an on-site provider without leaving the neighborhood. The College of Nursing named pilot areas that include neighborhoods surrounding the Bob Harrison Wellness and Advocacy Center, Huntsville Housing Authority neighborhoods Brookside and Northwoods, and the town of Triana.
The college plans an initial on-site health screening event aligned with the spring semester in January 2026 and said it has already held focus groups and established feedback loops to refine the program. "We will show up consistently in neighborhoods, not just as visitors, but as partners," Amiri said.
Dean Karen Frith introduced the presentation and asked council members to consider partnerships and operational support where appropriate. Council member Kling turned the floor over to the presenters and other council members noted the overlap between Neighborhood Nursing and the city’s planned wraparound services at Calvary Hill Center.
No formal council action was taken during the presentation; the college invited council members and community leaders to meet with the Neighborhood Nursing team to discuss next steps and potential collaboration.
The most immediate operational milestone Amiri provided is the January 2026 pilot screening date; the program’s funding sources, staffing plan, and long-term budget were not specified during the presentation.
