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History of ASHS

Gov. Ivey at bill signing

Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation approving the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences in May 2024.

The development of the ASHS has evolved from the goal of accessible healthcare for Alabama residents to a grand vision for a partnership among medicine, education, business, and philanthropy that promises to be a model to fulfill similar needs throughout the U.S.

2024

• Bloomberg Philanthropies announces $26.4 million gift to help fund ASHS as part of a 10-school national network of healthcare-focused high schools partnered with local medical and educational institutions. ASHS will be the only campus built from the ground up.

• Gov. Kay Ivey, in her State of the State address, announces ASHS as a legislative priority.

• Alabama Legislature approves $15 million in initial funding for ASHS. The school will become the fourth in a network of successful free public specialty high schools in Alabama, focusing on Science/Math, Fine Arts and Cyber Security/Engineering.

• City of Demopolis deeds 10 acres of land adjacent to Whitfield Regional Hospital — ASHS' leading medical partner — for construction of the new residential high school, and votes to contribute $500,000 for site preparation.

• A 20-member school Board of Trustees is formed. Mike Warren, retired president and CEO of Children’s of Alabama, is named Chairman of the Board.

 

2025

New Dean Hires

From left, Susanna Speegle is Director of Admissions; Laura Bailey is Dean of Curriculum; Dr. Antonio Cooper is Dean of Students; and Dr. Jimmy Martin is School President.

• Dr. James “Jimmy” Martin is hired as inaugural President of ASHS. J. Scott Huffman is named to lead ASHS Foundation.

• More than 80 healthcare and education professionals convene at Faulkner University’s College of Health Sciences to begin creation of pathways and curriculum.

• Brasfield & Gorrie selected as contractor to begin construction of ASHS.

• Top administrators named: Antonio Cooper (Dean of Students), Laura Bailey (Dean of Curriculum and Instruction), Kelly Brasher (Chief School Financial Officer), and Susanna Speegle (Admissions Director).

 

Coming up

• Formal groundbreaking and Phase I construction is scheduled to begin in Fall 2025.

• School pathways and curriculum will be formally announced in Fall 2025.

• Statewide recruitment events launch in Fall 2025.