Less than two months before welcoming its first students, the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences announced Thursday that it is celebrating a series of milestones that officials said signal the successful launch of Alabama’s newest residential specialty school.
ASHS said it has reached its enrollment goals for its inaugural class, welcomed students and families from across Alabama to orientation, completed hiring for its faculty, staff and residential life teams, and named longtime educator Laura Bailey as head of school.
The school is scheduled to open August 13 and begin preparing students for health care careers through academics, residential life, hands-on learning and workforce preparation.
“The excitement and enthusiasm we’ve seen from students and families has been extraordinary,” Bailey said. “Our orientation confirmed what we have believed from the beginning—students across Alabama are eager for an opportunity like this. They are already building friendships, asking thoughtful questions and embracing the mission of this school. We are ready to welcome our first class and begin building the future of healthcare in Alabama.”
Students and families gathered in Demopolis on June 10 for the school’s first orientation event. The daylong program introduced students to faculty and staff, provided families with information about academics and residential life, and gave classmates from across Alabama an opportunity to begin building relationships, ASHS said.
Following orientation, students began participating in “Scrubbing In,” a series of virtual sessions designed to strengthen connections with faculty and staff while helping students prepare for the transition to residential high school life.
Leadership update
As the school enters its final weeks before opening, the Executive Committee of the ASHS Board of Trustees appointed Bailey as head of school. ASHS President Dr. Jimmy Martin recently stepped away from day-to-day operational responsibilities following the death of his mother and to address family matters. ASHS said Martin played a pivotal role in developing the school and continues to support the institution.
Bailey, who has served as dean of curriculum and instruction, has been one of the key architects of the school’s academic vision, ASHS said. Her leadership helped guide ASHS from an ambitious idea into a fully operational institution preparing to welcome students this fall.
“Laura Bailey has been instrumental in building ASHS from the ground up,” Mike Warren, chair of the ASHS Board of Trustees, said. “As we approach opening day, there is no one better prepared to lead this school, support its students and carry forward the mission that has inspired so many families across Alabama.”
Bailey credited Dean of Students Dr. Antonio Cooper, members of the administrative team, health care partners and supporters across Alabama with helping transform the vision for ASHS into a school preparing to welcome its first students.
“This school was built around a simple but powerful belief: that Alabama students can help solve Alabama’s healthcare challenges,” Bailey said. “Over the last year, we’ve assembled an outstanding team, developed innovative academic programs and built partnerships that will create incredible opportunities for students. Now we have the privilege of bringing it all to life. I could not be more excited about what lies ahead for our students, our families and our state.”
Faculty, staff and residential life personnel are in place and preparing for the school’s inaugural year at its temporary campus on the campus of the University of West Alabama in Livingston. Construction of the school’s permanent 10-acre campus in Demopolis, led by Brasfield & Gorrie, remains ahead of schedule and on track for occupancy in summer 2027.
ASHS said support for the school continues to grow through the ASHS Foundation, which is engaging donors and community partners while offering naming opportunities across the future campus.
ASHS at a glance
- Enrollment goals reached for the inaugural class
- Students representing 51 cities across Alabama
- Faculty, staff and residential life teams fully hired
- Student orientation completed with strong participation from students and families
- Classes begin August 13, 2026
- Permanent Demopolis campus construction ahead of schedule for summer 2027 occupancy
- Growing statewide network of health care, education and community partners
When classes begin in August, ASHS will become Alabama’s fourth public residential specialty school and the first dedicated entirely to health care education. Students will live and learn together while pursuing health care-focused academic pathways designed to prepare them for college, professional training, certifications and careers.
