Alabama’s political scene in August was fraught with complications, as Gov. Kay Ivey continued to stabilize the ship after the departure of Robert Bentley and a host of Republicans tried to out-Trump each other for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Jeff Sessions. So it was almost comforting when the governor arrived in Mobile Aug. 9 to announce that $4 million from an economic development bond issue would be directed to the cost of renovating and expanding the USA Medical Center’s Level 1 Trauma Center.
The funds will allow the hospital to expand and modernize current space, enhancing its ability to accommodate patients with traumatic injuries and respond to mass casualty situations in the region. USA Medical Center is the only hospital in the region where patients can receive the highest level of care when a traumatic injury occurs.
“We are grateful Gov. Ivey and state lawmakers recognize the importance of an expanded Level 1 Trauma Center in our region and the role our dedication to quality healthcare has in attracting more businesses here, ” said University of South Alabama President Dr. Tony Waldrop.
A local television crew got the media entourage yanked out of the governor’s luncheon with local leaders when it insisted on an update about Mobile’s new bay bridge, said to be entering the public-private ranks of public infrastructure development. It’s politics as usual in hot weather.
Text by Dave Helms
