Transformative Grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Funds Innovative Health Care Education Partnership in St. Louis

A partnership between BJC HealthCare, The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, BELIEVE Academy, and The Opportunity Trust has been awarded a transformative catalyst grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to establish a first-of-its-kind high school focused on graduating students directly into health care jobs with family-sustaining wages.

BELIEVE Academy opened its doors this fall to an inaugural class of 120 students with a one-year pilot grant to kickstart the program partnership. The grant is one of 12 awarded nationally through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ “student-centered, market-driven health care education initiative.” The initiative’s goal is to address critical health care workforce needs while preparing young adults for successful careers in the field.

“This partnership is about much more than an innovative educational model,” says John Lynch, MD, president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “It’s about creating a community-centered pathway to some of the most important jobs in our community. It’s about making sure our health care workforce looks like the patients we serve. It’s about improving patient care and health outcomes for all. And it’s about the role of education and health in improving people’s lives. We are grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for their generous investment in this new partnership.”

"By combining classroom learning with hands-on experience, specialized health care high schools will prepare students for careers with opportunities for growth and advancement,” says Jenny Kane, program lead for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Career and Technical Education portfolio. “And while health care providers continue to face persistent labor challenges, it is crucial that we develop innovative partnerships to respond6 to the challenges of today and invest in the health care leaders of tomorrow."

Fostering Health Equity Opportunity

BELIEVE Academy, founded by Kimberly Neal-Brannum, offers a transformative educational model to meet the unique challenges faced by City of St. Louis high school students.

“Our groundbreaking health sciences high school is designed to make significant strides in academic excellence, workforce readiness, and equity in health care that align with the pressing needs of the community,” Neal-Brannum explains. “I’m grateful that our students will be part of changing the health determinants for our community for years to come.”

The program partnership aligns with BJC’s commitment to promote equity in health care and building a workforce that is representative of the people and communities it serves.  Bloomberg Philanthropies’ investment through the Foundation will amplify and advance BJC’s strategic priorities in the areas of workforce pathways, school outreach and youth development, and community health improvement, says Steven Player, PharmD, MBA, BJC vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“This partnership is important to the health care ecosystem and the community because it fills a gap,” Dr. Player says. “There’s a need for more diverse representation within health care and a need for more health care talent in general. So, to partner with a school focused on developing the next generation of health care providers is critically important. It’s an opportunity to expose students to various health care careers, while also providing them with a clear, tangible goal: the prospect of meaningful employment, ideally within BJC, where they can continue to thrive and advance their careers upon completing their training.”

Dr. Player continues: “There are numerous studies proving the correlation between higher attainment of education and greater health outcomes. This partnership with BELIEVE goes to the heart of our commitment to eliminate health disparities and ensure the health and economic success of our communities.”

Jump-Starting Health Care Careers

As the sole health care partner with BELIEVE, BJC is involved in the curricula and education of students. Working together, BJC and BELIEVE identified six career pathways for students to follow: clinical lab sciences, respiratory care, radiologic technology, nursing, surgical-related services, and professional support.

Each week throughout their four years of high school, BELIEVE students participate in BJC Health Careers 101 and 102, a hands-on, interactive health care education and career exploration program designed to enhance academic performance while also helping students develop the essential skills and proficiencies for a successful career in health care. 

With philanthropic support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and in-kind contributions from BJC HealthCare, BJC was able to install an advanced simulation and learning lab equipped with state-of-the-art patient care technology within BELIEVE Academy. Complete with hospital beds, diagnostic tools, and lifelike manikins, this lab allows students to practice taking routine vital signs, such as taking a pulse and blood pressure reading, and learn other hands-on skills.

In addition to rigorous academic programming on the BELIEVE campus, students participate in simulation-based learning at multiple BJC hospital locations and Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. BELIEVE students practice and apply basic health assessments, screenings, vital signs, infection control, and immunization knowledge using manikins, case studies, and skill checkoffs from BJC professionals.

Through dual-enrollment opportunities, BELIEVE students get a jump start on an associate degree and career-ready certifications in health care without accumulating student loan debt. Students can begin a health care job at BJC immediately after graduation, or they can choose to advance their careers in post-secondary education, such as at Goldfarb School of Nursing.

Creating a Ripple Effect for Stronger Communities

The impact of program partnership is already being felt. Nadia Curtiss, a 15-year-old BELIEVE student (pictured), plans to become a radiation therapist. “BELIEVE makes me feel confident about my future by showing me what I can do,” she says.

Nadia’s mother, Berneshia Jamison, is excited about the career exploration opportunities at BELIEVE for her daughter.

“Often, students think high school is their whole world, but BELIEVE focuses on what happens after high school,” she says. “Nadia wants to be a radiologist. At BELIEVE, they’re putting her in the right rooms where she can interact with the people who can give her opportunities to do what she wants to do in the future. At the same time, it’s important for her to see successful women of color.”

“These are exciting times as we build momentum together toward brighter futures for our young people and for our communities,” Dr. Player says. “BJC and BELIEVE will not only make each other better, but through our combined efforts, we have the opportunity to play a key role in enhancing the extraordinary care we are dedicated to providing at BJC, while also fostering lasting, positive impacts across our communities.”

Eric Scroggins, CEO of The Opportunity Trust, a nonprofit focused on increasing access to quality public schools in St. Louis, agrees. “BELIEVE Academy is a shining example of how transformative partnerships can be, as they create pathways for students to succeed in high-demand fields while uplifting the entire community,” Scroggins says. “This creates a ripple effect of stronger families, healthier communities, and a more equitable future for St. Louis.”