Since he could recall, Adedoyin Adeyen harbored a dream of becoming a doctor.
“I’ve been fascinated with the human body since I was 10, and I really wanted to do surgery,” he expressed.
Adeyen’s face lit up with excitement as he, along with other eighth graders from Uplift Heights, donned a different kind of attire: scrubs and surgical hats, while experiencing life at Baylor Scott and White. The students delved into hands-on learning, from identifying broken bones to mastering CPR techniques, a challenge they eagerly embraced.
“It was tough, figuring out the right amount of pressure and maintaining consistency,” Adeyen shared.
For these students, this experience marks the beginning of high school. Through a partnership between Baylor Scott and White, Uplift Education, and billionaire Mike Bloomberg, a unique school is being established, offering training in various healthcare professions, from surgical technology to mentorship opportunities with physicians at Baylor.
Upon graduation, students will hold credentials enabling them to work and receive job offers at the hospital.
“I’m interested in becoming an ultrasound tech in nursing,” stated Lizeth Texpa, one of the students set to attend the school in the fall.
Texpa, who never envisioned a career in medicine, views this opportunity as groundbreaking.
“We’re the first school to have this, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” she expressed.
Her only regret is that her brother, an aspiring doctor, didn’t have access to such opportunities.
“I wish he were still here; he’d be excelling in school every day, scoring perfect grades,” she lamented.
Many of these students face economic hardships and never imagined receiving opportunities like this.
The new school is set to open in the fall. On Tuesday, students had the chance to meet their future teachers, who are equally enthusiastic about the venture.
“All our leadership members, except one, pursued college degrees in science. Many of us once aspired to become doctors before transitioning into education, where we found our passion. It feels like this healthcare high school was always part of our destiny,” remarked Chelsea Bettis, Dean of Students at Uplift Heights.
Baylor employees are also eager to take on the role of educators.
This initiative aims to address the shortage of healthcare workers in Texas while empowering students who dream of a career in healthcare to realize their aspirations.
