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Governor Kay Ivey announced on Monday eight appointments to the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Board of Trustees. ASHS, a statewide residential high school, to be located in Demopolis, was established in May 2o24. The school is set to open in the fall of 2026.
Establishing ASHS was a major legislative priority for Ivey during the 2024 session.
“Establishing this specialty school here in Demopolis is no doubt the most significant investment in West Alabama in decades,” Ivey said during the signing ceremony for HB 163, which authorized the establishment of ASHS.
ASHS will be the fourth specialty school in the state after the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, and the Alabama School of Fine Arts
According to Ivey’s office, the school seeks to provide Alabama students a high school experience that will train them to enter an in-demand medical career post-graduation or after continued higher education learning.
“The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences will help more Alabama students open the door to their futures, and it will change the trajectory of rural health care in our state. I am proud to partner with so many capable individuals from around the state in bringing this school to fruition,” Ivey said. “I am confident that, working together, we will be well on our way to getting this school opened for the Fall of 2026. I know it will help change Alabama for the better.”
The establishing legislation for the ASHS creates the ASHS Board of Trustees. The act names 12 individuals to serve on the board. Additionally, the governor was tasked with appointing eight other members, including one member from each congressional district and one member, a Marengo County resident, at-large.
According to The ASHS Foundation, the charitable organization tasked with providing financial and educational support to the school, the board will provide “governance and operational oversight” as an independent body that works alongside the foundation. This will include the development and implementation of curriculum and the appointment of the school’s director.
Chairman of the ASHS Foundation, Rob Pearson said “On behalf of the ASHS Foundation board, we continue to be grateful for Gov. Ivey’s commitment to our mission.”
“The people she has appointed to the Board of Trustees sends a strong message that some of our state’s most capable people will help lead the nation in training the next generation of healthcare workers,” Pearson continued.
The Board appointees include:
- Reeivice Girtman, Ozark City School Systems Superintendent (District 1)
- Katrina Keefer, DCH Health Systems CEO (District 2)
- Laura Grill, East Alabama Health President and CEO (District 3)
- Jill Stork, Alabama Power – Western Division Vice President (District 4)
- Jeff Samz, Huntsville Hospital Health System CEO (District 5)
- Dr. Will Ferniany, Former CEO of UAB Health System, Retired (District 6)
- Mike Warren, Former President and CEO of Children’s of Alabama, Retired (District 7)
- Dr. Brittney Anderson, Anderson Family Care Physician and Owner (At-Large Marengo County Resident)
The appointments are effective immediately.
