DEMOPOLIS, ALA. – January 17, 2024 — The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Education and Whitfield Regional Hospital, member of the University of Alabama-Birmingham Health System, today announced a $26.4 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies to help fund the proposed Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences. The funding is contingent on approval of the school by the Alabama legislature.
The development of this residential high school, which intends to prepare students from across the state for careers in the healthcare industry while addressing rural education and healthcare workforce development needs, has been supported by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a consortium of Alabama health systems, as well as state 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. The school is proposed to open in 2026 in Demopolis, Ala., and serve between 85-100 students in each graduating class.
The project is part of a first-of-its-kind $250 million initiative led by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which is connecting healthcare and education systems to create new career and technical education high schools in 10 urban and rural communities across the country including Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas; Durham, N.C.; Houston; Nashville; New York City, and Philadelphia; and the rural areas in Northeast, Tenn., (six locations). The schools will collectively serve nearly 6,000 students at full capacity.
With the $26.4 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies, thought to be the largest philanthropic gift ever in West Alabama, the Alabama Department of Education, the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation, a consortium of healthcare systems, and partnering 2- and 4-year colleges and universities will co-develop the high school curriculum, which will offer robust academic programming, specialized healthcare classes, work-based learning, and the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials and certifications along with traditional high school learning and diplomas.
“By combining classroom learning with hands-on experience, these specialized healthcare high schools will prepare students for careers with opportunities for growth and advancement,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP and 108th mayor of New York City. America needs more healthcare workers, and we need a stronger, larger middle-class –and this is a way to help accomplish both goals.”
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement Wednesday thanking Bloomberg Philanthropies for understanding the purpose and mission of the proposed school.
“I am grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for supporting the vision of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences,” said Alabama Gov. Ivey, who originally announced plans for the school during her 2023 State of the State address. “This first-of-its-kind school will provide Alabama students with career pathways in healthcare and will serve as a solution to the healthcare workforce shortage across all of rural Alabama. I look forward to working with the Legislature during the 2024 legislative session to make this vision a reality.”
UAB appointed Majd Zayzafoon, MD, PhD, MBA to support Governor Ivey’s vision by developing a comprehensive plan and strategy for establishing the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences. Zayzafoon, a seasoned professor in medical education with more than 20 years of experience in establishing complex global healthcare educational programs, formulated and submitted a funding request on behalf of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation for this innovative and unique healthcare education high school, designed for rural Alabama.
“The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation, in partnership with statewide health systems, schools, colleges, and communities, shares a vision for nurturing a healthy Alabama,” Zayzafoon said. “Through innovative and unique healthcare sciences education for our youth, we can address healthcare workforce shortages, enhance Alabama’s health outcomes, and lay the foundation for a prosperous future for all our state’s citizens.”
According to the Alabama Department of Labor, the state’s top 40 fastest growing occupations between 2014-2024 include 17 health-related professions. These include dentists and dental hygienists, physical and occupational therapists, advanced practice providers, registered nurses, social workers, and speech and language pathologists, as well as assistant positions like medical and nursing assistants, physical therapy assistants, and home health and personal care aides. Beyond direct care positions, there are numerous roles in information management, nutrition services, and healthcare administration. The overall projections for all healthcare occupations show a cumulative need in Alabama for at least 5,815 new positions each year for the foreseeable future.
“The Alabama State Department of Education’s Vision Statement underscores the importance of education, recognizing that ‘a dynamic, healthy, and prosperous Alabama will increasingly rely on the education of its population,’” said Dr. Eric Mackey, Alabama State Superintendent of Education. “We are delighted that Bloomberg Philanthropies has decided to support this pioneering initiative, marking an investment in a transformative educational endeavor. This initiative promises not only to offer unparalleled educational opportunities to students statewide but also holds the promise of cultivating healthier communities and fostering improved health outcomes for all residents of Alabama. This forward-thinking partnership sets the stage for a brighter, healthier future for our state and its citizens.”
In the Foundation’s submission supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Demopolis was proposed as the location for the school because of its rural location, strong regional hospital and proximity to additional hospitals and higher education institutions.
“We are humbled by the generosity and faith that Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Bloomberg Philanthropies have placed in our community,” said Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins. “Demopolis and Marengo County have a long history of unwavering support for both its public education systems and its primary healthcare provider, Whitfield Regional Hospital. Our city is ready and willing to support the State of Alabama and the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences.”
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ investment will support school start-up costs including personnel needs, classroom and lab renovations, and other work-based learning requirements. The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences will be specifically designed to provide traditional academic courses based on state graduation requirements, as well as specialized healthcare classes. Students will also engage in immersive work-based learning at hospitals across the state, chiefly at Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis, the proposed site of the school. Students will participate in job-shadowing and practice their skills in simulation labs and have access to paid healthcare internships and professional mentoring, among other work-based learning experiences.
“Having served in both urban and rural hospitals, I’ve witnessed firsthand the special connection between a rural hospital and its community,” said Doug Brewer, CEO of Whitfield Regional Hospital. “At Whitfield, that connection has been mutually beneficial. Because of our community support and a common commitment to the underserved healthcare needs of our region, our hospital has been able to re-start vital services such as labor and delivery and offer many services typically not available in a rural hospital. This special connection has made Whitfield a unique and exceptional partner for higher education to train future healthcare leaders. It is that same connection that will make Whitfield the perfect partner for the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences. I am encouraged that Bloomberg Philanthropies places value in those connections that make rural hospitals so special.”
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.
Media Contacts:
Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation: Jonathan McElvy, [email protected]
Bloomberg Philanthropies: Jamila Johnson, [email protected]