Two Texas Hospitals Prepare the Next Generation of Health Care Workers

In a groundbreaking move to enhance health care education, Baylor Scott & White Health and Memorial Hermann Health System have joined forces with Bloomberg Philanthropies in its initiative to develop new career-technical high schools that address the gaps in urban and rural health care talent and training.

This collaboration focuses on creating specialized health care high schools that integrate academic and professional training. The Texas health systems are two of 10 hospitals involved in the grant to establish inaugural health care high school in seven different states.

Baylor Scott & White, in partnership with public charter school system Uplift Education, is spearheading the launch of a health care-centric high school in West Dallas, fueled by a $14.9 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. This initiative aims to equip students with immediate job-ready credentials and hands-on training, directly addressing the growing demand for health care professionals.

The high school will offer a curriculum designed to prepare students for various roles within the health care industry, emphasizing practical experience alongside academic instruction. By incorporating job training into the high school experience, the program seeks to create a seamless transition from education to employment. This model ensures that students graduate with the skills and certifications necessary to enter the workforce immediately, thus meeting the critical needs of the health care sector.

“Education is core to our mission, and we are honored to be part of this unique and special opportunity to introduce bright, young minds in the communities we serve to rewarding work,” Baylor Scott & White Health CEO Peter McCanna shared in a statement.

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Memorial Hermann’s involvement reflects a similar commitment. The health system is partnering with Aldine ISD to open the Health Education and Learning High School, or HEAL High School, which will share a campus with Nimitz High School in Houston. Beginning this fall, the program will be phased in over four academic years and will serve approximately 760 students.

“We are excited to partner with Aldine ISD to bring Houston a new career-technical education high school that, through rigorous classroom instruction and a hands-on learning approach, will help prepare students for well-paying careers in health care and address critical health care talent needs, as well as provide valuable educational opportunities for students throughout the region,” Memorial Hermann president and CEO David L. Callender, MD, stated in the hospital’s announcement.

Both organizations are dedicated to providing students with comprehensive training that includes hands-on experience and guaranteed employment opportunities upon graduation. This approach not only addresses the workforce shortages in health care but also provides students with viable career paths, contributing to economic stability and community health improvement.

These health care high schools represent an innovative approach to education and workforce development. By partnering with prominent health care providers and leveraging substantial funding, the initiative underscores the importance of integrating real-world job training into the educational system. This model aims to create a pipeline of well-trained health care professionals ready to meet the demands of the industry, thereby enhancing both educational outcomes and health care services in the community.

Author:
Julia Mann

As the strategic communications manager for the Texas Hospital Association, Julia Mann manages THA’s digital blog The Scope, as well as its subsequent content on the MicroScope, social media, and more. Prior to the launch of The Scope, Julia served as the editor of Texas Hospitals magazine while it was still in publication. Using her background in communications and public affairs across various industries, Julia specializes in writing and creating content to reach specific audiences. At THA, Julia primarily writes articles highlighting the lifesaving care provided at Texas hospitals and sharing THA-member hospitals’ and health systems’ achievements. Outside of THA, Julia is also the editor of her sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau’s, national magazine, The Anchor.