The Abilene Independent School District went back to class Jan 7, and two yellow buses pulled up to the new Holland Health Sciences Building on the HSU campus. After moving boxes, books, skeletons, and anatomical models over the Christmas Holidays, AISD teachers were ready as the first 50 students crowded off the buses Monday morning. The Magnet School is a first-of-its-kind project in that it was built entirely by the University, on the University campus, to benefit students of the Abilene High School and Cooper High School Health Science Technology Program. University President, Dr. Craig Turner, and AISD Superintendant, Dr. David Polnick led media into the building carrying the last of the lab equipment and answering questions from the press.

Medical High School student learns how to transfer a patient

There were a lot of ooh’s and ahh’s as students explored their new classrooms, and when it was time to head back to the buses, many student’s lingered; just to absorb the feel of the place; from the lab, with it’s electronically adjusting tables, to the Skills Lab, which looks more like an emergency room than a classroom. The two academic classrooms and four labs on the first floor of the 22,000 square foot building will be maintained by HSU, but school district will provide curriculum, technology, and staffing. Currently, over 200 students are enrolled in the program and will rotate through the complex as class schedules require. The second floor of the building, which is still getting a few finishing touches, will be additional lab space for HSU science and mathematics students.

Students completing courses of study in the program can receive industry-recognized certifications as pharmacy technicians, emergency medical technicians--basic, phlebotomy technicians, and certified nurse aides, as well as several levels of first aid and CPR. Recent graduates of the program are currently enrolled in pre-medical and pre-pharmacy programs throughout the country, including Johns-Hopkins University, Baylor University, and the Honors Program at Texas Tech University.
In addition to the regular sequence of health science technology courses (HST I, HST II, and HST III), students are able to take advanced science and medical courses. These courses include: Anatomy and Physiology, Forensic Science: Code Blue (Microbiology), Forensic Science: C.S.I. (Pathophysiology); and Medical Terminology. An independent study course, which involves in-depth individual research into an allied health problem, is also available for students completing the distinguished achievement program.

The first student rotation leaves for the day

Although the primary aim of the magnet school is to improve health care in Abilene, the recruiting benefit is obvious. Not only will students have the facilities in the magnet school, they will be able to use the Richardson building and physical therapy complex in their class work. HSU faculty will be guest lecturers during the year, and students will feel at home on the campus by the time they finish high school.

A formal dedication of the building is scheduled with donors Jacque and David “Scotty” Holland, dignitaries, and the Abilene Red Coats on February 7th. Holland, an HSU alumnus and athlete, went on to become president and CEO of Pennzoil Exploration and Production Company, and later endowed the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics. Faculty and staff are invited to the 10:00 dedication and the reception following.
In addition to the Holland’s, the Dodge Jones Foundation, Mabee Foundation, Dian Graves Owen Foundation, and Shelton Family Foundation contributed to the $3.9 million project.