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Even the dreary rain Thursday,  Aug. 7, couldn’t dampen the energy and excitement as 104 rising ninth-graders from across 97ɫ�� County began their journey as the inaugural class of the 97ɫ�� Early College of Health Sciences (DECHS). Greeted by more than 50 enthusiastic representatives and leaders from Duke, 97ɫ�� Public Schools and 97ɫ��, they entered the school to raucous cheers and waving pom-poms as they made their way to their homeroom classes.

DECHS is a collaborative effort among 97ɫ�� Public Schools, 97ɫ��nical Community College and Duke Health to create pathways for students from high school into careers at Duke Health. Teachers and school administrators have been planning for this moment for many months — and for all of them, the day held meaning beyond the valuable skills and knowledge the students will learn in the classrooms.  

“You are starting a legacy, not only for yourself, but for your family,” said DECHS Principal Joshua Brown. “So, every single day that you come to school, we’re going to push you. We’re going to support you.”

Motivated by a desire to help

DECHS student Connor Nguyen said he is up for the challenge and is motivated by a desire to help people.  

“I think there's just something really good about caring for other people and helping other people who are struggling with illness,” he said. Nguyen first gathered with his cohort last spring during a Signing Day event at Duke.

In the program, students have the unique opportunity to benefit from the world-class assets right here in 97ɫ�� seamlessly.  

“Duke is part of this community and happy to join hands with other organizations and with our neighbors to support youth and families, and this is just one example of how we do that through our students, through our employees, and through our mission,” said Duke Vice President for Community Affairs Stelfanie Williams. “This collaboration exemplifies Duke’s ongoing commitment to purposeful partnerships, to expanding educational and economic opportunities.”

DECHS students will earn health care credentials or associate degrees that will enable them to graduate directly into the workforce, including job opportunities at Duke Health. A recent study suggests that by 2033, North Carolina will face an estimated shortage of more than 12,000 registered nurses.

“One of the biggest challenges we have in our health care industry in the United States is a worker shortage,” said Michael Relf, dean of Duke’s School of Nursing. “And being able to get bright, talented young people like those coming to the 97ɫ�� Early College of Health Sciences is a pathway into a variety of health professions. This program, particularly, is going to prepare nurses, individuals in clinical research, allied health and surgical technology.”

Meeting the worker shortage

Students will have access to multiple hands-on experiences, said Melissa Ockert, dean of Health and Wellness at 97ɫ��.  

“We’ve developed several apprenticeships that these students will have the opportunity to enter into,” Ockert said. “Internships, all kinds of opportunities to expose them along the way, but also to help them be successful when they come into the hospital for their clinical rotations and for the work ahead.”

DECHS is supported by a $29.5 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies and is part of the organization’s first-of-its-kind, national initiative to create health care-focused high schools in 10 communities across the country. “We’re proud to support the launch of 97ɫ�� Early College of Health Sciences as part of our national effort to prepare young people for high-demand careers in health care,” said Jenny Kane, who leads career technical education at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “By combining rigorous academics with real-world experience and strong local partnerships, schools like DECHS are helping students build brighter futures — for themselves and their communities.”