The UAMS Academy of Health Sciences has been established on the Hall campus in partnership with the Arkansas College of Medicine and Hall STEAM Magnet High School in the Little Rock School District. Jay Cheshire, president and chief executive officer of the Little Rock Area Chamber of Commerce, called the alliance a “transformative partnership” between the two institutions and stated that it provides students with the opportunity to see, feel and understand college and future career paths.
This partnership is part of a series of presentations about school-business and industry partnerships forming in high schools in the Little Rock, North Little Rock, Pulaski County Special, and the Jacksonville/North Pulaski Public School System. These industry-backed high school academies are collectively known as the Central Arkansas Academies. The Little Rock Area Chamber of Commerce and other Pulaski County Chambers of Commerce began an effort in 2018 to bring the national Ford Next Generation Learning Model to the Pulaski County area.
The UAMS Academy of Health Sciences is a STEAM Magnet on Hall’s campus, providing students with hands-on access to medical education, research and instruction. Other career paths supported by the academy include the Engineering Academy whose career paths are supported by Entergy Arkansas. The academy aims to inspire, empower, and prepare the next generation of healthcare providers and combat the nationwide healthcare worker shortage.
Students from Hall High School who wear white lab coats and have already taken courses such as biomedicine and human systems participate in the academy. As sophomores, they have the opportunity to tour UAMS facilities and gain a personal look at different aspects of the healthcare industry. In addition to hearing from guest speakers, they will participate in mock interviews, apply for potential internships in their junior and senior years, and have the opportunity to earn college/high school credits and industry-recognized credentials. UAMS provides Whole High with advice on curriculum and qualifications, and guidance to both staff and staff.
It is expected that the Central Arkansas academy will take several years to fully develop. The Little Rock Area Chamber is still actively seeking business partners for all high schools. More information is available on the Chamber or from the website www.academiesofcentralarkansas.org.