The Architect of Access: Janet Hadar's New Mandate at UAB Health System

There are moments in an institution’s journey when a new role isn't just a promotion, but a clear signal of evolving priorities. And for UAB Health System, that moment has arrived with the appointment of Janet Hadar — a familiar and frankly, indispensable, figure within its sprawling ecosystem — as its inaugural Chief Operating Officer for Access Health. It’s a move that speaks volumes, underscoring a deep, renewed commitment to making world-class medical care truly accessible, less complicated, and, well, more human for every single patient across Alabama and beyond.

You see, Hadar isn't just another name on a press release; she’s been interwoven with the fabric of UAB for a remarkable quarter-century. Her tenure has seen her navigate a spectrum of leadership positions, most recently serving with distinction as President of UAB Medicine Clinical Operations. During that time, she’s been instrumental, quietly yet powerfully, in knitting together a formidable network of clinics, patient services, and physician partnerships. It’s a legacy that, in truth, has directly shaped the very patient pathways many of us rely on today.

But this new role, this “Access Health” division, it feels different, doesn't it? It’s purpose-built to untangle the often-complex web of healthcare entry points. Think about it: streamlining everything from initial inquiries to follow-up appointments, improving the sheer logistics of getting care, and ensuring that whether you’re coming from Birmingham or the farthest corner of the state, your experience is smooth, coordinated, and frankly, a whole lot less stressful. This isn't just about efficiency, mind you; it’s profoundly about empathy.

Dr. Will Ferniany, UAB Health System's CEO, certainly isn't shy about his confidence in Hadar. He’s hailed her, quite rightly, as a proven leader, one whose unwavering focus on the patient has not only grown clinical programs but fundamentally improved the quality of care. “Her dedication,” he observed, “to patient-centered care and her exceptional ability to grow clinical programs are undeniable assets.” And perhaps more tellingly, he emphasized the strategic significance of Access Health: it’s the vital link, he noted, connecting UAB with its patients, no matter where they are or how they need to connect – be it through primary care networks, regional affiliates, or the burgeoning world of telehealth.

Hadar herself, with an MBA from UAB firmly under her belt, expresses a palpable enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. “I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity,” she shared, “to help UAB Health System be easy to do business with for our patients and their families.” That phrase — “easy to do business with” — it resonates, doesn't it? It strips away the clinical jargon and speaks directly to a core human need: simplicity in a system often perceived as anything but. Her commitment, she assured, is unwavering, focused entirely on the needs of patients and their loved ones.

So, what does all this mean for the average person interacting with UAB? Well, you could say it’s a promise. A promise that getting an appointment won't feel like navigating a labyrinth, that your care journey across different departments will feel integrated, not disjointed. It's about a future where UAB’s expansive reach — its primary care network, those crucial regional partnerships, and even the innovative realm of telehealth — works together, truly as one, to provide seamless, high-quality care throughout Alabama and the broader Southeast. Honestly, for once, the bureaucracy might just take a back seat to genuine patient welfare. And that, in itself, feels like a breath of fresh air.