Nimitz High School HEAL Program Debuts Simulated Hospital and New Facilities at Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

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Training Future Healthcare Workers: Students experience healthcare training without leaving the campus, stepping into real-world medical environments.

Aldine ISD students, leaders from the school district and Memorial Hermann Health System, and local elected officials cut the ribbon on HEAL High School, which opened a simulated hospital and new facilities.

On a Tuesday morning in April, students at Nimitz High School’s Health Education and Learning (HEAL) Program didn’t just hear about what their futures could look like. They walked through them.

Aldine ISD, Memorial Hermann Health System, and Bloomberg Philanthropies officially unveiled the completed HEAL Program facilities on April 22, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Memorial Hermann President and CEO Dr. David L. Callender, Bloomberg Philanthropies Program Manager Kate Herman, Aldine ISD Board of Trustees, HEAL students and their families, and Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson of District 141.

The completed facilities, including a simulated hospital, rehabilitation space, library, Anatomage Lab, pharmacy, health clinic, and specialized classrooms, mark a major milestone for the program and redefine the high school experience for Aldine ISD students.

“This is not just a ribbon-cutting. It is a promise fulfilled,” said Dr. Goffney. “HEAL students can see their future in their present. Memorial Hermann, through this program, is giving students the tools to leave their pathway prepared — and that is the #AldineStory in action.”

What started in May 2023 with a single phone call between Dr. Goffney and Memorial Hermann has become one of the most innovative career and technical education programs in the country.

HEAL students pose with (l-r) Dr. David L. Callender, President & CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System; Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Anne Neeson, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Foundation; and Kate Herman, Program Manager of Bloomberg Philanthropies education team, where she leads the healthcare CTE high schools initiative.

A Hospital Inside a High School

The centerpiece of the new facilities is the simulated hospital — a space designed to mirror real Memorial Hermann clinical environments. Students train in:

In Aldine ISD, the future of healthcare doesn’t start after graduation. It starts in Room 1 — where a student in scrubs checks a patient’s vitals, reads an X-ray, or prepares a medication in a pharmacy that looks exactly like the one at the hospital down the road. This is the HEAL Program. And it is just getting started.

Two medical-surgical patient rooms are identical to those found in Memorial Hermann hospitals
Two ICU rooms with a nurse’s station, windows for patient observation, and an AnteRoom for practicing infection control protocols
A working imaging room with an X-ray machine
A mock pharmacy complete with medication racks, a negative pressure room, and vials to simulate medication preparation
A working pneumatic tube system — the same system used to transport medications in real hospital settings

Students also have access to a fully operational school-based health clinic, where they can assist with patient care under the supervision of Memorial Hermann staff.

“Our teams designed the spaces on this campus to mirror Memorial Hermann clinical spaces,” said Dr. Callender. “Students are learning what our real hospitals look like, so they are prepared to jump into jobs immediately after graduation. They are already a part of our Memorial Hermann family.”

5 Pathways to a Career

HEAL Program students at Nimitz choose one of five in-demand healthcare pathways:

Nursing — Students learn core patient care skills, develop clinical techniques, practice critical thinking, and engage in compassionate interaction alongside registered nurses.
Physical and Occupational Rehabilitation — Students help patients and athletes recover from injuries and regain mobility by working with physical and occupational therapists.
Medical Imaging — Students operate technology such as X-ray and diagnostic machines to assist doctors in identifying and treating medical issues.
Pharmacy — Students learn medication preparation and management, focusing on accuracy and patient safety in fast-paced healthcare settings.
Healthcare Business Administration — Students manage hospital and clinic operations, including team coordination, budgeting, and overseeing patient services

In ninth and 10th grades, students build foundational skills through simulation labs and job shadowing. Starting in 11th grade, students gain access to paid healthcare internships, professional mentoring, and work-based learning experiences. Advanced opportunities include earning professional certifications, graduation cords, and paid employment.

A Student’s Perspective

Students receive most training at the Choice School campus but also visit Memorial Hermann hospitals to shadow mentors and hear from leadership. HEAL student Precious Okafor shared her experience since ninth grade.

“This program is laying a good foundation for me in healthcare,” she said. “I enjoy the mentorship, the hospital-based learning, and the simulation experience. I get to shadow nurses, assist with patient needs, and understand the importance of human compassion. It has been an incredible opportunity.”

From Vision to Reality

The HEAL Program at Nimitz High School is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ first-of-its-kind $250 million national initiative, which selected 10 urban and rural communities across the country to bridge the gap between public education and healthcare systems. Aldine ISD was among the districts chosen, supported by an initial $31 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies to the Memorial Hermann Foundation — announced in January 2024 and launched with the program’s first cohort in the Summer Infusion Experience in July 2024.

“Philanthropy is the magic that bridges vision and reality,” said Anne Neeson, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Foundation. “Because of Bloomberg Philanthropies, we have built the first mock hospital on a school campus — and we will provide hundreds of students with the tools and resources they need for a lifelong career in healthcare.”

Kate Herman of Bloomberg Philanthropies put it simply: “If even one student discovers their calling here, serves others with compassion, and builds a meaningful life, this investment is worth it. But we are grateful — it will be hundreds of students.”

Board President Dr. Kimberley N. Booker reflected on what the facility represents for Aldine ISD students: “If I had a program like this when I was growing up, I would be Dr. MD Booker. Our students are not pretending — they are preparing. Aldine continues to grow, and continues to grow professionals.”

The HEAL Program at Nimitz High School will continue to expand across four academic years, reaching its full capacity of approximately 760 students by 2028.

For more information about the HEAL Program at Nimitz High School, visit aldineisd.org/heal.