Sneha Choudhary, communications lead for education, and Kate Herman, program officer over the healthcare 10 high schools initiative, with Bloomberg Philanthropies; HEAL Program at Nimitz High School students Ricardo Flores, Ashlee Pala; Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, HEAL student Hannah Njeru; CEO of the Foundation Anne Neeson, HEAL student Malik Muhammad , and Bryan Sisk, senior vice president and chief nurse executive at Memorial Hermann (l-f) pose for a picture at the construction site on campus in front of the signing wall commemorating the first year and construction phases.
Nimitz High School and Aldine ISD leaders celebrated a significant milestone on May 9 with the first Health Education and Learning (HEAL) Program class. The program’s Year 1 students were honored in a high-energy groundbreaking celebration for Phase 2 of the initiative. A partnership between Aldine ISD, Memorial Hermann Health System, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the program aims to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals while creating a community resource for wellness.
Students in the HEAL program walked into the event wearing their scrubs, greeted by cheering Nimitz cheerleaders, campus leaders, program educators, Aldine ISD board members, district leaders, and representatives from Memorial Hermann Health System, Memorial Hermann Foundation, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Each student received a celebratory branded hard hat, and the festive atmosphere.
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The event was emceed by Dr. Adrian Bustillos, Aldine ISD’s Chief Transformation Officer. Nimitz High School Principal Charles Land welcomed guests and set the tone for the celebration. Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney followed with remarks recognizing the bold collaboration behind the initiative and celebrating the students as pioneers.
“You are leaving your mark,” Dr. Goffney said to the students. “You are the future healthcare leaders, caregivers, and changemakers.”
Goffney noted that the first phase of construction includes a school-based health clinic, a rehabilitation lab focused on teaching students the skills of physical and occupational therapies, and a mock hospital where students will gain hands-on experience and provide basic healthcare services to the surrounding community. Phase two will begin this fall and feature specialized classrooms for key pathways such as nursing, pharmacy, medical imaging, healthcare business, and a new library and learning hub. She emphasized that this initiative aligns with Aldine ISD’s commitment to providing choices and opportunities for every student.
“This is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Goffney. “We’re offering students a head start on careers and responding to workforce needs simultaneously. “We are showing what’s possible when we invest in students’ futures.”
In her remarks, Goffney also acknowledged the strong support from Memorial Hermann and Bloomberg Philanthropies. She reflected on the early days of the partnership: “We were trying to convince Memorial Hermann, and they were trying to convince us. What resulted is a shared vision that’s changing students’ lives.”
CEO of the Memorial Hermann Foundation Ann Neeson also praised the collaboration. “Of all the initiatives I’ve been a part of, this is undoubtedly the most impactful,” she said. Neeson recognized the students’ hard work, noting that they are not only finishing the first year of a rigorous program, but also laying a foundation for those who will follow.
“Today, we celebrate a remarkable first year of HEAL and begin looking to your bright future as health care leaders. All of us at Memorial Hermann are so proud of what you are achieving. I cannot wait to see you in the halls of our hospitals helping to pursue our mission of creating healthier communities now and for generations to come. Today, you will don a hard hat and make your mark inside HEAL’s under-construction mock hospital. This is the start of your legacy, and we are so proud to be a part of your journey. Philanthropy makes the extraordinary possible, and we are grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropy for supporting this project.”
Neeson presented Bloomberg Philanthropies with a plaque of appreciation. She introduced representatives Kate Herman, program officer over the healthcare 10 high schools initiative, and Sneha Choudhary, communications lead for education, who were present for the celebration and accepted the plaque on behalf of Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Nimitz cheerleaders then performed a spirited routine before selected student representatives joined leaders from Aldine ISD, Memorial Hermann, and Bloomberg for a ceremonial signing at the construction site. Their signatures will be memorialized on a wall to mark the program’s first year and the start of Phase 2.
Several students shared reflections about their experience:
Ricardo Flores, a freshman in the physical therapy pathway, said, “The changes we will see are going to make a big difference. It is exciting to be a part of the changes we and future students will benefit from.”
Malik Muhammad, a freshman on the nursing track, said, “It is nice to see so many looking out for us and giving us this head start on a career now as opposed to waiting until we are in college.” He highlighted the summer infusion experience before the school year began.
Ashlee Pala, another freshman studying physical therapy, noted, “The program allows us to see our future selves, especially during the hospital visits. It will be exciting to explore and learn in our mock hospital here on campus.”
The HEAL program at Nimitz High School launched in 2024 and is expanding rapidly. This fall, 205 incoming ninth graders will join the second cohort, with the program adding 10th grade the following school year. The program will be at full capacity by 2028 (grades 9-12).
According to AISD Chief Transformation Officer Dr. Adrian Bustillos, HEAL is a shining example of collaboration. It’s a joint effort between Aldine ISD, Nimitz High School, and industry partner Memorial Hermann. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ pivotal role in supporting the program’s launch and expansion is a testament to the power of community.
“We are so grateful to our partners for believing in our students and helping us bring this bold vision to life,” Bustillos said. “We are not just preparing students for jobs — we are preparing them for lives of service, leadership, and purpose in the healthcare field.”
In an interview with the Houston Business Journal at the event, Dr. Goffney emphasized the community aspect of the program. When asked whether residents would use a school-based healthcare facility, she pointed to the district’s success with past community vaccination efforts and partnerships with local clinics. “We wanted to be intentional,” she said. “This initiative meets CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) requirements, expands CTE options, and truly sets students on a career path early.”
In the center are Bustillos, Neeson, and Sisk (l-r). On the far left (in blue dress) is Dr. Kimberley Booker, president of the AISD Board of Trustees.
Dr. Goffney also mentioned other industry-aligned programs across the district, such as the Davis High School Aviation Program. In 2020, the Davis campus began to offer its first aeronautics and aviation course. Last year, AISD announced a new partnership with United Flight Systems, a renowned aviation school, to enhance the Davis Aviation Program. The collaboration introduces Aldine students to the world of aviation, providing them with unparalleled opportunities to pursue careers as pilots.
Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Memorial Hermann, Bryan Sisk, echoed that early exposure is crucial. “Getting students involved now gives them a better opportunity for success later in life,” he said. Sisk noted that two Memorial Hermann employees are embedded in the HEAL program, helping students build strong foundations.
“We’re not lowering the standards — we’re raising them,” Sisk added. “Students are gaining real skills that make them marketable in the industry.”
Connie Esparza, AISD Board of Trustees vice president, Goffney, and Booker (l-r) pose for a picture in front of the signing wall.
Sisk was excited for the students to see the former gym area — 6,000 square feet — being converted into a a mock hospital with medical training spaces, with x-ray equipment and more. He also confirmed that Memorial Hermann is working through the logistics of providing opportunities for students to work inside hospitals in the future, part of a longer-term vision to deepen students’ exposure to real-world healthcare settings.
With a successful first year completed and a dynamic second phase underway, the HEAL Program at Nimitz High School is poised to serve as a national model for healthcare education at the high school level, benefiting students, the healthcare industry, and the community for years to come.
The HEAL Program at Nimitz High School is part of Aldine ISD’s broader effort to offer students more choices and opportunities through specialized academies that are not just aligned with, but directly cater to, workforce needs and student interests.
Click here for more information about the HEAL program.
