Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Healthcare-Focused High Schools

According to a Jan. 17 press release, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a $250 million initiative to create new high schools around the nation that aim to “graduate students directly into high-demand healthcare jobs with family-sustaining wages.”

The press release says that “This first-of-its kind initiative pairs public education systems and hospitals in 10 communities including the urban locations Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Dallas, TX; Durham, NC; Houston, TX; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; and Philadelphia, PA; and the rural areas Demopolis, AL and Northeast TN (six locations). The schools will collectively serve nearly 6,000 students at full capacity.”

The schools, either newly established or a revamp of an existing school, will provide students with academic programming, specialized healthcare classes, work-based learning at a partner health system and the opportunity to earn industry credentials and certifications. Upon graduating, the students can enter healthcare jobs with the partner healthcare system or advance their career through post-secondary education. All health system partners have committed to providing jobs for students that complete the program successfully.

The partnerships between health and education systems around the country will be:

• Boston, MA:
  • Healthcare Partner – Mass General Brigham
  • Education Partner – Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (Horace Mann charter schools, Boston Public Schools)
• Charlotte, NC:
  • Healthcare Partner – Atrium Health
  • Education Partner – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Dallas, TX:
  • Healthcare Partner – Baylor Scott & White Health
  • Education Partner – Uplift Education
• Durham, NC:
  • Healthcare Partner – Duke Health
  • Education Partner – Durham Public Schools
• Houston, TX:
  • Healthcare Partner – Memorial Hermann Health System
  • Education Partner – Aldine Independent School District
• Nashville, TN:
  • Healthcare Partners – HCA Healthcare TriStar, Vanderbilt Health, Ascension, National HealthCare Corporation
  • Education Partner – Nurses Middle College
• Northeast TN:
  • Healthcare Partner – Ballad Health
  • Education Partner – Northeast TN Public Schools (six sites)
• New York, NY:
  • Healthcare Partner – Northwell Health
  • Education Partner – New York City Public Schools
• Philadelphia, PA:
  • Healthcare Partner – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Education Partner – Mastery Schools
• Demopolis, AL:
  • Healthcare Partners – University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System and other state health systems and hospitals
  • Education Partner – State of Alabama (contingent upon state funding)

Bloomberg Philanthropies has the press release.