By Melanie Patterson
The North Jefferson News
Dr. Thomas E. Moody is far more than your everyday doctor. A urologist, Moody has lobbied successfully for new state laws regarding prostate cancer screenings and he helped host six free screenings in 2008.
All of that is outside of his private practice, which has a booming schedule of its own.
Moody has practiced urology for more than 30 years. For three years, he has seen patients every Monday and Wednesday at the Gardendale Medical Clinic.
Moody said he has found his work in north Jefferson County to be “very gratifying. ... I think patients have liked receiving specialty care without going to Birmingham.”
Urology is a surgical sub-specialty that deals with the male reproductive system and the male and female urinary systems.
As one of 16 doctors who make up Urology Centers of Alabama, P.C., which is the largest urology practice in Alabama, Moody finds it important to remain “non-judgmental” with his patients, particularly when they are dealing with impotence or incontinence.
Moody described the two conditions as “the most embarrassing to people.” Incontinence is particularly devastating, he said, because it can keep people confined to their homes.
While those conditions are devastating, prostate cancer is deadly. That is why Moody works so hard to convince men to receive screening for the cancer.
Last year, Moody held free screenings in Perry, Wilcox, Hale, Marengo, Madison and Jefferson counties. Helping him were Urology Centers of Alabama director of health education and information Sherry T. Wilson and others.
Four of the screenings were funded by a $50,000 Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) grant.
State and local health departments worked with Moody and Wilson and got the word out for each screening. As a result, more than 500 men received screening for prostate cancer.
It was the first time many of the men in the poor, rural counties had received such screenings.
Screening for prostate cancer only takes about 10 minutes. Moody said many of the men told him that it “wasn’t as bad as they thought it would be.”
The benefit was that several of them who did indeed have prostate cancer received treatment.
Moody had made a commitment to treat men regardless of their ability to pay if they had prostate cancer, and several hospitals agreed to do the same.
Moody was largely responsible for passage of an Alabama bill signed into law in 2007 that requires insurance coverage for prostate screening if requested by a physician, according to the October 2008 edition of M.D. News.
In addition, Moody was the key player for the legislature putting $100,000 into the state budget for prostate screening in 2009. Previously, there was no money budgeted for prostate screening.
Health
Related Photos
-
Melanie Patterson
Discussion
Doctor initiates statewide reform for cancer screening
- Health
-
-
Bowel issues a common problem with easy remedy
Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201
-
Lemak hosts free exams
Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics announced recently that Dr. Lawrence Lemak will now be available to see patients on Wednesday afternoons.
Dr. Lemak is the founder of Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics. He devotes his practice to sports medicine and knee replacement and is a nationally recognized leader in his field. -
Understanding electrolytes
Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at
631-1201 -
Avoid heat-related illnesses this summer
Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.
-
Staff is key to success
Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at
631-1201. -
Is there a difference in bottled, tap water?
Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.
-
Stuck on Band-Aids
When you make a boo-boo, what is the instant cure all? Everyone knows it’s a Band-Aid, but have you ever wondered if they are really effective or just cosmetic?
-
Medical equipment can be a necessity
There may be a term that many of you have heard, but not know the meaning: “Durable medical equipment” or “DME” products. DME is a term that covers a diverse range of apparatus that has been designed to assist patients suffering from an illness or injury which restrict their normal mobility and function. It can help people lead more normal lives without heavy reliance on family and caregivers.
-
Headaches require various treatments
Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches among adults and adolescents.
-
Should you take aspirin every day?
You’ve probably heard of people taking aspirin every day for their heart. You may think that aspirin is only used to treat pains and aches; however, aspirin affects the body in other ways as well.
- More Health Headlines
-
Bowel issues a common problem with easy remedy
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
