Austin ISD, in partnership with Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and Austin Community College, today announced a proposal to launch a Health Professions Program. The program would prepare students for a career in health professions, and would accept applications from students districtwide. The program is dependent on the bond passing in November.

"We're excited at the opportunity to be partnering with Dell Medical School to bring health career opportunities to students from across the city," said Superintendent Paul Cruz. "The Health Professions Program would build upon the offerings we already have and create a much-needed pipeline of health professionals for Central Texas."

The bond includes $22 million to establish the Health Professions Program.

The Health Professions Program would allow AISD to build on years of work by a range of community partners to create initiatives that focus on health professions in high schools. The program would make community physicians, medical students and other health professionals available to high school students. Summer, after-school and weekend programs have already been created to spark interest, engage students, and bolster and support engagement.

"It's Dell Med's vision to help create a vital, inclusive health ecosystem. Key to that are opportunities that children have in junior high and high school to learn about health professions that might interest them," said Mini Kahlon, vice dean for strategy & partnerships at the Dell Medical School. "It's both our passion and part of our mission to help students see themselves in these essential roles creating healing in the community-in fact, the very first Dell Medical School students were middle- and high-schoolers who enrolled in our Health Sciences Summer Camps in 2014 and 2015."

The partnership allows AISD to create mentorships for students through the Dell Medical School and continue offering dual credit through Austin Community College.

For more information about the bond, please visit www.aisdfuture.com.