Workforce Solutions Spotlight—CHOP

Innovative high school will offer students training, pipeline to high-demand health careers

May 15, 2024

As Pennsylvania ages, many health care professionals are approaching retirement just as the need for health care is rapidly growing. Hospitals and health systems are leading the way in growing the next generation of health care professionals to care for Pennsylvanians and our communities.

Last month, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) announced an unprecedented partnership to design a high school to help prepare students for careers in health care.

In partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, Mastery Hardy Williams High School in Philadelphia will be transformed to integrate health care training within the overall school experience. Graduating students will have the opportunity to enter the pipeline for high-demand health care jobs at CHOP, officials with the three organizations announced.

“There has never been a more pressing time for our local communities to have access to high-quality healthcare, and central to that is a well-trained healthcare workforce,” Madeline Bell, CHOP president and CEO, said in a statement.

“As Philadelphia area schools look for innovative ways to foster career preparation, we are thrilled to be working with Mastery Schools to prepare today’s students for what’s next and retain graduates right here in our community for these important jobs,” she added.

The program will begin in September 2025 and serve about 620 students from grades 7–12. The program is the first of its kind, and is part of a $250 initiative from Blomberg Philanthropies that will bring similar partnerships to 10 urban and rural communities across the U.S.

• About:  CHOP and Mastery Schools will co-develop the high school curriculum, with specialized health care classes, work-based learning, and the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials and certifications along with traditional high school learning and diplomas.
• Custom curriculum:  The school will be specifically designed to provide traditional academic coursework, as well as specialized health care classes co-taught by CHOP employees. Students also will have access to immersive work-based learning at CHOP.
• Quotable:  “By equipping students with the knowledge, experience, and confidence they need to enter the workforce and guaranteeing job placement with one of Philadelphia's top-ranked employers, this partnership will benefit our students, families, and communities in incredibly meaningful ways for years to come,“ Dr. Joel D. Boyd, CEO of Mastery Schools, said in a statement.

More information about this exciting new partnership is available online.

HAP and Pennsylvania’s hospital community are committed to developing tomorrow’s health care workforce. In addition to their own initiatives and community partnerships, hospitals are advocating for public policies to grow and support the health care workforce.

Learn more about HAP and the hospital community’s workforce advocacy online.