Health, Safety and Medical Emergencies

While we hope you stay happy and healthy throughout your stay with us, we need to be prepared to handle medical emergencies that might arise. The parent/guardian will be responsible for any service fees. In the event of a medical emergency, ambulance transport should be requested by calling 205-348-5454 (on-campus) or 911.

Hospitalization Policy

The safety and well-being of participants are top priorities for the UA ACTivate program. If a UA ACTivate participant is hospitalized or escorted to the hospital via ambulance due to an injury, mental health crisis, or illness, their parent or guardian is required to arrive at the hospital within 24 hours of notification. This policy ensures that participants receive the necessary support from their families during critical situations.

Notification of Parent/Guardian

The UA ACTivate assistant director or program manager will notify the participant’s parent or guardian as soon as possible after the participant is transported to the hospital.

The notification will include information about the situation, the hospital location, and the required next steps for the parent or guardian.

Required Arrival at the Hospital

Parents or guardians must arrive at the hospital within 24 hours of being notified to provide support and assistance for their participant. If the parent or guardian is unable to arrive within the required time frame, they must communicate with the UA ACTivate assistant director or program manager to arrange alternative support, such as another authorized family member or representative.

Student Care and Transition

The UA ACTivate director or program manager will remain onsite with the hospital personnel and the participant until the parent or guardian arrives. Once the parent or guardian arrives, they will assume full responsibility for the participant’s care and decision-making related to the participant’s hospitalization.

Behaviors of Concern 

If a participant presents concerning behavior, program staff will follow UA’s student of concern reporting processes. To outline those processes, in emergency situations, including situations where a participant is expressing harm to self or others, program staff should call 911 or UAPD at 205-348-5454 (or 8-5454 if from a campus phone).  Additionally, if a participant expresses harm to self or others, their parent/guardians will be called and required to immediately pick up the participant within 24 hours of initial staff contact.

Non-Emergency Medical Care 

Participants may obtain non-emergency medical care at the University Medical Center (UMC) during regular hours. If the UMC is not open, students may be transported to an alternate local urgent care facility. The University Medical Center is open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and is located at:

University Medical Center
850 Peter Bryce Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205-348-1770 (UMC Main)

After-Hours Urgent Care

If non-emergency medical care is needed and University Medical Center is not open, participants should be transported to an alternate local urgent care. If it is an emergency, please call 205-348-5454 (on-campus) or 911 (off-campus) for an ambulance. There are several urgent care clinics near campus that may be used for treatment of illnesses or injuries that do not warrant an emergency room visit. The options below are provided as a reference. The University has no relationship to these clinics and cannot endorse the quality of care.

Use of the DCH Emergency Room should generally be used for medical emergencies. Participants should report non-emergency illnesses/injuries during regular operating hours, if possible, so that they may obtain the most appropriate care. 

All participants are required to complete the Medical Information Form so parents may provide emergency medical information and specify any special needs.