BIRMINGHAM, AL — The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and HealthSouth Corporation (OTC Pinksheets: HLSH) have signed documents to finalize UAB’s purchase of the HealthSouth Medical Center on the southside of Birmingham. The facility will be renamed UAB Highlands.

UAB and HealthSouth announced the purchase in July 2005, and UAB has been providing management services for the facility during the transition period.

“Adding this facility to the UAB Health System allows us to expand our physical plant so that we can meet the growing demand for patients services we provide,” said David Hoidal, chief executive officer of the UAB Health System. “At the same time, we are excited for the Birmingham community because a major health-care resource continues to be available.”

Clinical services to be available at UAB Highlands include orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology and plastic surgery. The emergency room at UAB Highlands will remain open.

“It is very gratifying that the high-quality patient care that has been a hallmark of HealthSouth will continue at this facility,” said Jay Grinney, president and CEO of HealthSouth. “At the same time, this transaction allows HealthSouth to focus on its core businesses of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, ambulatory surgery and diagnostics.”