Alabama Governor Ivey Urges Lawmakers to Establish Health Sciences High School Amid Rural Health Care Concerns

In her State of the State address in February, Governor Ivey urged lawmakers to establish a health sciences high school in Demopolis as one of her top priorities. She credited Senator Bobby Singleton and Representative Cynthia Almond for their leadership in guiding the legislation to passage. The bill, HB163, passed the House unanimously in April and was approved in the Senate last Thursday by a vote of 28 to 3.

The creation of the Alabama School of Health Sciences is considered a significant advance in educational innovation and health care readiness in the state by Governor Ivey. This specialized high school will provide opportunities for students from across Alabama, especially those from rural areas, to pursue careers in health care. Bloomberg Philanthropies has pledged $26.4 million to fund the founding of a school in Demopolis, marking the first charitable donation of its kind in Alabama. The decline in health care in rural parts of the state has raised concerns, and supporters of the project believe it will spark interest among young people in health care careers.

The grant will offer educational opportunities to approximately 200 high school students in STEM and health sciences fields beginning in 2026. The Alabama School of Health Sciences will become the fourth specialty school in the state, joining existing institutions such as the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, and the Alabama School of Liberal Arts in providing advanced educational opportunities.