Construction could begin on UAB's new freestanding emergency department and medical clinic in Gardendale this fall. It's a project that experts have said will improve access to care for northern portions of metro Birmingham and is also sparking increased developer interest in Gardendale. But the project is also an example of different methods Birmingham health care providers are employing to extend their reaches in the region. In addition to University of Alabama at Birmingham's Gardendale project, both Brookwood Medical Center and Medical West - a UAB affiliate - have opened freestanding emergency departments in recent years. Experts say the facilities can offer several benefits, especially in underserved areas that previously were located several miles away from the nearest traditional hospital.

"They are extremely beneficial in terms of access to care," said Kelli Fleming, partner at Burr and Forman LLP. "You can be seen by a trained physician and get care quicker."

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