Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved $5 million in aid to a nonprofit research organization to develop a public health data system program that leverages personalized medical and clinical trial data to help patients receive the best care. did.
Funding for the agreement comes from the American Recovery Planning Act of 2021.
Karila Brown, Southern Institute's vice president of medical affairs, spoke to the council about the institute's “Our Community Health Catalyst” platform. She said the program will help make precision medicine accessible to all Alabamians. According to the Nation Institute for Health, precision medicine is “an innovative approach that takes into account individual differences in a patient's genes, environment, and lifestyle.”
According to the institute's website, the program “helps more health care providers provide the best care by providing information about clinical trials that meet the unique health care needs of people across Alabama.” “become”.
Brown told the council that the institute's program will capture data from patients' genomic tests and provide physicians with patient-specific reports to guide them in implementing treatment plans. That's what he said.
“This allows health care providers to provide care that speaks directly to who you are,” Brown says.
The institute received $20 million in funding for the platform from the state in July 2023, and Brown said Jefferson County also provided $7.5 million for a building to house the new program.
City officials say the program will create 50 new jobs over five years.
Founded in Birmingham in 1941, Southern Research employs 250 scientists and professional staff. The group has developed seven FDA-approved cancer drugs and tested more than half of the effective chemotherapy treatments in the United States, according to its website.
The vote to approve the agreement was unanimous, with Councilman Hunter Williams abstaining.
Councilwoman Valeria Abbott said while voting to approve the agreement, she reminded other councilors that the institute purchased the historic Quinlan Castle from the city, which was later demolished. At the time of the purchase, Abbott said, institute officials assured city leaders that the property would be preserved.
“SRI is a warning to people like us,” Abbott said. “If someone promises to do something and it's not in writing, you're out of luck.”
Among other duties, the City Council will:
- Approved $150,000 for One Place Metro. According to city officials, the organization will use the funds to “expand the One Place facility and allow more criminal justice professionals across Jefferson County to work together through this community violence intervention program, which begins as a domestic violence case. The plan is to use the information to “enable us to work together to prevent future murders, which are more likely to occur.” Increase in violent crime and domestic violence during the coronavirus pandemic. ”
- Literacy levels such as “Adult Basic Literacy, Adult Basic Literacy for Justice-Impacted Adults, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Family Literacy, and Workforce.” Voted to donate $100,000 to the Literacy Council to provide learner-centered programs for the city of Birmingham to improve literacy. development, GED preparation, digital literacy, soft skills, and volunteer tutor training. ”
- Voted to donate $100,000 to the Woodlawn Foundation, Inc. to provide broadband internet access to underserved neighborhoods in the 4th District.
- James Paving Company of Pelham accepted a one-time bid of $720,087 for the Roebuck Golf Course path in Hawkins Park.
- A $100,000 donation was approved for UAB's “If I Had a Hammer PreApprenticeship Program,” which prepares Birmingham City Schools students for skilled trades.
- Resolutions recognizing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Huffman Lady Vikings were approved.
- Approved a resolution recognizing City Clerk Bill Jones. He will retire on April 5th after 30 years with the city.