In her State of the State address Tuesday, Gov. Kay Ivey appealed to the state Legislature to quickly approve a new state-of-the-art high school focused on medical science education.

Ivey first mentioned the idea of ​​the Alabama School of Health Sciences in his State of the Union address last year.

“This school will provide young men and women from across Alabama, especially rural students, with first-hand experience in a variety of medical fields,” Professor Ivey said. “And it gives them a choice.”

“Maybe they want to graduate with a qualification that will get them a high-paying job right away. Or maybe they want to go to university and become a nurse, or even go to medical or dental school. We will now give these students the opportunity to attend a state-of-the-art school.”

Related: Mayor of Demopolis: Faculty of Medical Sciences is a “game changer”

Ivey said Demopolis, where the school will be located, is the best choice given its proximity to Whitfield Regional Hospital.

“We have already received tremendous support from the community. [from Demopolis]And the gold standard of rural health care is just steps away from where these students plan to study,” Ivey said. “On top of all this, the feasibility report commissioned by Congress last year once again validated that Demopolis is the ideal location for this important school. Everyone, let’s get this important project done. .”

After his speech, ASHS Foundation President Rob Pearson acknowledged Ivey for starting the push for the new school and also thanked other individuals and organizations involved in the project.

“Since Governor Ivey publicly announced her vision for this school and her intention to build it in Demopolis exactly one year ago, we have worked with stakeholders across the state to support the proposed school. ,” Pearson said. “From the development of this foundation, to working with amazing people like Dr. Majid Zaizahoon at UAB, to securing $26.4 million in funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, we know we take our responsibilities seriously. I made it clear.”

Related: Alabama's Future Healthcare High School receives $26.4 million grant from Bloomberg

Mr. Pearson agreed with Mr. Ivey's choice of Demopolis as the location.

“In the process of working with our medical partners and Bloomberg Philanthropies, we felt their support validated the feasibility of a school in Demopolis,” Pearson said. “The fact that a Congressional-commissioned study says the same thing is further proof of this community’s ability to serve all of Alabama.”

On January 17, the ASHS Foundation, in collaboration with state and local leaders, announced that the Alabama School of Health Sciences is one of 10 educational programs in the nation to receive funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The gift is believed to be the largest charitable gift in West Alabama history, contingent on the construction of a school in Demopolis.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.