$250M health system initiative to launch 'healthcare high schools'

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A new initiative and partnership between public schools and major health systems will create healthcare-centric high schools in various communities around the country that will graduate students directly into high-demand healthcare jobs with sustainable wages.

The $250 million initiative will be spearheaded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, founded by Michael Bloomberg. The 10 locations selected for the schools will be focused in urban locations in Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas; Durham, N.C.; Houston; Nashville, Tenn.; New York; and Philadelphia, as well as rural areas in Demopolis, Alabama and six locations in Northeast Tennessee.

Each school, whether newly established through the initiative or a revamp of an existing school, will offer students academic programming, specialized healthcare classes, work-based learning at the partner health system and the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials and certifications.

Immediately on graduating, students can enter healthcare jobs within the partner health system or choose to advance their career through post-secondary education. All health system partners have committed to providing job opportunities for students who successfully complete the graduation requirements of their respective programs.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Each school will provide traditional academic programming, as well as specialized healthcare classes co-taught by health system employees using a co-designed curriculum. Northeast Tennessee will use a hybrid virtual and in-person program across six school sites in rural communities.

Students will also engage in immersive work-based learning at the partner health system. In ninth and tenth grades, students will participate in job-shadowing and practice their skills in simulation labs. Starting in eleventh grade, students will have access to paid healthcare internships and professional mentoring, among other work-based learning experiences.

If they choose to go directly into work, hospital partners have committed to subsidizing the tuition for students' ongoing part-time or full-time education. Examples of jobs that students would be prepared to enter upon graduation include surgical technologist (which has a $56,000 median starting salary), radiology technician ($65,000) and respiratory therapist ($71,000).

Schools in Boston, Charlotte, Dallas and Houston will open in 2024, while the rest will open through 2026.

Bloomberg Philanthropies' investment will support school start-up costs, including personnel needs and classroom and lab renovations. It will also support healthcare-specific work-based learning costs such as developing specialized curricula, lab materials and equipment and stipends for work-based learning.

THE LARGER TREND

Currently, there are an estimated two million open healthcare industry jobs and an additional two million expected by 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Bloomberg's education program launched its career and technical education (CTE) work in 2016 to help create middle class career opportunities by providing high school students with essential skills, job training and access to continued education. The focus has been on programs within high schools that provide training, credentials, certifications and work-based learning to help young people snag employment in high-growth industries.

Bloomberg has invested $355 million in CTE initiatives around the country to date, including the new initiative.
 

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.