From the President

We understand the careful consideration, the hesitant “We’re very interested — we’re just thinking it through” attitude. That’s exactly how families should approach an opportunity that could transform a young person’s future — especially one that has never been a possibility before, anywhere.

But there comes a point when interest needs to turn into action, doubt into faith — and we are reaching that moment as we populate our very first ASHS community with a freshman class and sophomore cohort.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve watched a growing number of families from throughout Alabama move from curiosity to commitment. The questions about what life will look like in this one-of-a-kind, healthcare-intensive residential high school are drilling down, and families and school leaders are engaging on a deeper level. Applications are flowing in, interviews being conducted, acceptances issued — and a growing number of young people already focused on a Future Of Healthcare are taking the leap.

That shift has been energizing for everyone. Families are beginning to picture their students here, learning with purpose, building friendships, and preparing for careers that will strengthen communities across Alabama. And school personnel are putting faces to what the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences will look like in August, instead of seeing statistics and abstract profiles.

Our first Open House in January was proof of that momentum. Enthusiastic students and families filled the day with explorations and thoughtful conversation, and it confirmed something important: When ASHS is experienced up close, the dream becomes tangible.

We’ll build on that momentum March 7 with our second Open House at the first-year campus-within-a-campus at the University of West Alabama in Livingston. This event is designed for families ready to take the next step — those who have connected with us and started or completed the application process (and there’s still time to get your invitation). The day will include tours, lunch, Q&A sessions with school leaders and meetups with the amazing McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars from the University of Alabama, who are already beginning to mentor.

There are plenty of lump-in-the-throat events to witness — ceremonial signings of letters of commitment by students and families who are choosing to join this historic first class. That distinction matters. This is not simply an introduction — it’s a milestone moment for families who’ve chosen their path, and a powerful influence for those trying to make a decision.

The practical reality is this: Our space is finite, and timelines are real. The window to become part of this founding cohort is still open, but it will not remain open indefinitely.

We understand that educational decisions deserve careful thought. And we know that “being first,” pioneering uncharted paths, isn’t for everyone. Our team is here to answer questions frankly, provide clarity, and support families every step of the way, whatever direction they choose.

Yet historic opportunities move forward on a schedule. Students who accept the challenges of this first year are stepping up now — thoughtfully, intentionally, and with confidence — and they’ll help shape the future of ASHS and its traditions.

If your family has been exploring ASHS, this is the moment to lean in. Begin the application. Drop in during one of our twice-weekly Zoom Q&A opportunities with school leaders or inquire about in-person information sessions for groups. Once you’ve applied, join us March 7 to gather the information you need firsthand and move toward a decision that could shape your student’s future.

We are building something extraordinary — and we hope your family will be part of it.

Not in the homestretch yet, but rounding second,

Dr. Jimmy Martin

One of the most challenging aspects of my role at the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences has been breathing life into a vision and helping to lay a foundation with enough detail and integrity to get families take the leap of faith and commit their precious youngsters to what is still largely invisible.

Now, one of the great privileges of my role is witnessing the development of trust that families are placing in that idea, vision, and a future that is a work-in-progress.

Recently, a parent shared a social media post celebrating her son’s early commitment to our inaugural freshman class, along with a video of him reading his acceptance letter and photos of his ceremonial signing at our open house. Like many others who have seen her post and commented, I was deeply moved.

What struck me most was not just the pride, although it was unmistakable, but the confidence behind the decision. Choosing a brand-new school is not the easiest path. It requires imagination, courage, and a willingness to step forward without a long history or reputation on which to lean. Families who choose ASHS are choosing to be pioneers alongside us.

This rising 9^th grader represents a generation that is already thinking differently about education and purpose. His love of science and healthcare, nurtured through family influence and personal curiosity, mirrors exactly why ASHS exists. We believe students should not have to wait until college to begin preparing for meaningful work that serves their communities. And they and their families should not have to take on crushing debt that can cloud their lives for decades.

The parent’s message also captured and shared something essential about ASHS: Possibility. Possibility in how students can earn college credit while still in high school. Possibility in internships and clinical experiences that expose them early to real healthcare environments. Possibility in graduating with dignified, rewarding options, whether that means pursuing further education or training, entering the workforce right away, or combining the two.

But beyond programs and pathways, what families are responding to is purpose.

Healthcare is ultimately about service, about showing up for others in moments of vulnerability and need. When students choose ASHS, they are not just selecting a specialized high school. They are stepping into a community that values compassion as much as competence, integrity as much as innovation.

As we prepare to welcome our first class this August, I am increasingly aware that the families who are joining us now are helping to shape the culture of ASHS from the very beginning. Their excitement, questions, hopes, and expectations are not background noise: They are part of the foundation we are building. And our team is grateful to be sharing that awesome responsibility and honor.

To every family who has already placed their trust in us, thank you. And to those still exploring what ASHS could mean for your child, I encourage you to commit now to learning more. Ask questions. Attend an information session, whether in person or online. Imagine what it could look like for your student to begin a healthcare journey early with support, intention, and purpose.

Being first is never simple, but it is often how meaningful change begins.

Our inaugural freshman class and sophomore cohort are taking shape now. If ASHS feels like the right fit for your student, this is the moment to explore, apply, and take that first step by visiting AlhealthcareHS.org.

 

Grateful for our growing community,

Dr. Jimmy Martin

 Last weekend’s Open House at the University of West Alabama was a reminder to our entire team about why we are doing this work. I arrived excited to meet a sizeable group of students and their families, ranging from those who are considering the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences to those who’ve applied, been accepted, and some who actually signed letters of commitment on Saturday.

And I left energized by their excitement.

From the moment families stepped onto the Livingston UWA campus — our home for the first year until the first phase of our purposeful Demopolis campus is built — there was a buzz in the air. Students asked thoughtful questions about coursework, healthcare pathways, and life as part of a residential school. They gathered for an historic first official meeting. Parents leaned in, listened closely, and imagined what the next chapter could look like for their sons and daughters.

What struck me most was how quickly the conversation shifted from “This seems right for us” or “Could this be right for us?” to “How do we get ready?”

One of the most meaningful aspects of the Open House was the opportunity for families to experience campus life firsthand — including delicious food and exciting basketball. For any parent, entrusting your child to a residential program is a big decision. Being able to walk through the residence halls, dining spaces, and common areas helped turn questions into confidence.

I am deeply grateful to our partners at the University of West Alabama, who did a remarkable job conveying something essential: They understand how to support high-school-age students on a college campus. UWA has experience hosting high school students since 2019 through the University Charter School and has built a strong culture around safety, supervision, and age-appropriate support, blending that with the excitement and opportunities of a university setting. Families could see that clearly, and it mattered.

Perhaps the most exciting realization for me was this: ASHS is no longer just an idea we are explaining. With accepted and committed students and families, we now have a growing corps of ambassadors and recruiters — students and parents who believe in this mission and are eager to share it. They are talking to classmates, neighbors, educators, and friends about a one-of-a-kind opportunity to pursue healthcare careers while still in high school, in a setting designed to support both academic rigor and personal growth.

As we look ahead to our historic first year, with both a freshman class and a sophomore cohort taking shape, we’re starting to grow our community.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming part of this inaugural journey, I encourage you to visit www.ALhealthcarehs.org to learn more and apply. The future of healthcare in Alabama will be shaped by students like these — and the excitement we all felt last weekend tells me we are on the right path.

More excited than I’ve been about anything in my 37 years as an educator,

Dr. Jimmy Martin

One of the guiding ideas behind the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences is simple: If this school is truly meant to serve the whole state, then we must meet people where they are.

That’s why I’m especially excited about our new Virtual Drop-In Sessions, which are now happening twice each week and are open to everyone — students, parents, educators, healthcare partners, community supporters, and those interested in working with us.

These sessions are intentionally informal. You don’t need to prepare anything. You don’t need to stay the whole hour. You can simply drop in, request a brief overview of ASHS if that’s what you need, ask a question, listen to others’ questions, or just get a feel for who we are and where we’re headed.

Here’s when we gather:

• Mondays, 5-6 p.m.
• Wednesdays, 9-10 a.m.

Every session includes live conversation with members of our leadership team, updates on admissions and hiring, and guidance for families navigating the application process. Some folks may come once. Others may return several times as new questions arise. All are welcome. Keep this link handy to Zoom in!

This is part of a broader effort to reach every corner of Alabama — large cities, rural towns, and everywhere in-between. We know not everyone can travel easily, and we never want distance to be a barrier to opportunity.

Of course, we also love connecting in person. We’re excited about our first Open House Saturday (Jan. 17), a chance to experience the spirit and opening-year site of ASHS firsthand. And for those who prefer a more structured virtual overview, our full Virtual Information Session on Jan. 28 will walk families through what makes this school truly one of a kind.

Whether online or in person, our message is the same: ASHS is a statewide community in the making, being carefully built through conversation, questions, and shared purpose.

If you’ve been curious, uncertain, or simply waiting for the right moment, this is it. Drop in. Say hello. Let’s talk about the future of healthcare in Alabama together.

 

Eager to connect,

Dr. Jimmy Martin, President

The start of a new year always brings with it a sense of possibility and promise. Fresh calendars waiting to be filled. Fresh resolve ready to be tapped. And for many families considering the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, the start of 2026 presents a moment of decision.

I want to invite you, eagerly and personally, to join us for our ASHS Open House at the University of West Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 17. This is more than an event on a calendar. It is an opportunity that could mark the beginning of a lifetime of purpose. Or to put its meaning into the vernacular of a bumper sticker: “The first day of the rest of your life.”

Why do I say that with such confidence? Because I’ve spent my career in education, and I’ve seen it happen again and again. A single day on a campus. A single conversation. A single introduction. And suddenly a young person sees themselves differently. They glimpse a future they hadn’t fully imagined, and they begin moving toward it.

At ASHS, we talk often about preparing students for healthcare careers. But just as important are the relationships which shape whom our students become. At this Open House, your student might meet a mentor who changes the trajectory of their life, an educator who sees something in them and challenges them to rise to it. They might meet a future best friend, someone who will share late-night study sessions, early-morning clinical rotations, and the personal growth that comes from choosing a meaningful path together.

Jan. 17 is designed to help families truly experience what ASHS is about. You’ll tour the University of West Alabama campus and the site of our own cozy and secure mini-campus, hear directly from our enthusiastic leadership team, meet UWA student ambassadors and nursing program staff, and get the kind of clear picture of our academics, residential life, and admissions process that can be imagined and imprinted on you through a personal visit.

You’ll have time to ask questions, make connections, and envision what life at ASHS could look like, not just for four years of high school, but for decades beyond. And the timing couldn’t be more effective.

With the New Year underway, ASHS applications are being reviewed, interviews are happening, and acceptances are being sent. Momentum is building. Decisions are being made. This is not a “someday” conversation — it is a “right now” moment.

If you’re just starting to explore or are still investigating ASHS, now is the time to lean in. Get your family involved. Attend an event. Ask questions. Submit an application. Make an informed decision about whether this unique, tuition-free, residential healthcare high school is the right fit for your student and your family.

And Jan. 17 isn’t the only opportunity looming. Our Events Calendar on the ASHS website is bursting with upcoming local appearances, information sessions, and HOSA-related events across the state. We will be out in communities, meeting students and families where they are, because we believe access starts with connection.

I encourage you to take that first or next step. Come see us. Talk with us. Imagine what’s possible.

Because for many students, the journey toward a life of service in healthcare begins not with a grand declaration but with a single day that opens a door. Jan. 17 at UWA could be that day. Or it could be Jan. 14 in Homewood, or Jan. 21 in Dothan, or Jan. 29 in Florence, or…

Ready to hit the road in 2026,

Dr. Jimmy Martin

President, Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences