Alabama Breaks Ground on New Healthcare Sciences School

Marking a significant milestone for education and workforce growth in rural West Alabama, educators, healthcare professionals, philanthropists, local officials, and state and national leaders gathered to break ground on the new Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences (ASHS).

Held at the 10-acre campus site at 908 S. Cedar Ave., Demopolis, Alabama, next to the Whitfield Regional Hospital, the groundbreaking event brought together members of Alabama’s federal delegation, stakeholders, and special guest Kate Herman of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The Bloomberg Philanthropies organization has pledged “$26.4 million to ASHS as part of its $250 million initiative to launch healthcare-focused CTE high schools in 10 communities across the country,” said the press release.

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“This school represents more than bricks and mortar,” said Governor Kay Ivey, who championed the creation of ASHS in the Legislature and its location in the rural West Alabama Black Belt. “It is fresh potential for our young people and a milestone in addressing healthcare needs here in Alabama.”

“We are proud to support the bold vision of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences,” said Howard Wolfson, the Education Lead for Bloomberg Philanthropies. “By giving students access to high-quality instruction and clear career pathways, ASHS will help ensure that the next generation of healthcare professionals is well equipped to meet the demands of communities across the state and the country.”

Set to welcome students from across Alabama, ASHS will be a residential campus. It will also mark the state’s fourth free, state-supported residential school under the Alabama Department of Education, joining established programs in fine arts, math and science, and cyber technology - engineering.

A unique fact is that it is the only school in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ national 10-school partnership being constructed entirely from the ground up.

“The Demopolis campus site is located next to Whitfield Regional Hospital, ASHS’s primary medical partner. Brasfield & Gorrie serves as the general contractor, with design by Caldwell Architects,” said the press release.

“As we take this step forward, we’re building opportunity, both for young people and for the future of healthcare in Alabama,” said Dr. James “Jimmy” Martin, ASHS president. “Our mission is to help students discover purpose in service, connect learning to real careers, and strengthen the health of every community in our state.”

Timeline

Opening its doors in August 2026, ASHA will begin with its first freshman class at a temporary campus on the University of West Alabama grounds in Livingston, while construction continues in Demopolis for the school’s permanent campus, set to open in August 2027

For updates on construction progress, curriculum development, and statewide recruitment events, visit www.alhealthcarehs.org.