HAN member Memorial Hermann Health is launching the Health Education and Learning (HEAL) High School in collaboration with the Aldine Independent School District as an investment in the future of healthcare. The program, which is now in its second year, aims to prepare students for high-paying, in-demand healthcare jobs while they finish high school. The HEAL curriculum combines weekly work-based learning opportunities at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital with specialized healthcare classes and traditional coursework. Additionally, students can obtain industry-recognized credentials and certifications, which will give them the tools they need to succeed in the modern healthcare workforce.
The program intends to increase the number of young people in the community who have access to education and career opportunities by enrolling nearly 800 students by 2028. In Aldine ISD, the 12th largest school district in Texas, where 92% of students are economically disadvantaged, this work has a particularly significant impact. In an interview with Becker’s Hospital Review, Caitlin McVey, Associate Vice President of the Institute for Nursing Excellence at Memorial Hermann Health System, stated, “This program is giving us a platform to challenge the status quo.”