EP. 126: Growing Our Own: How Early Investment Transforms Healthcare Communities
From Coffee Break: Breaking the Cycle of Bullying in Healthcare, One Cup at a Time by Healthy Workforce Institute
February 25, 2026 · 40 min
About this episode
Dr. Bryan Sisk discusses how early investment in high school students can transform healthcare communities and address workforce shortages.
Healthcare workforce shortages won’t be solved in college; they start in high school. In this episode, Dr. Bryan Sisk, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive for Memorial Hermann Health System, discusses how the innovative HEAL High School is building a sustainable healthcare workforce by investing in students as early as ninth grade. He shares how a first-of-its-kind partnership creates a “working hospital” inside a high school, equipping students with industry-recognized certifications and real-world clinical exposure. He explains why mentorship, professional standards, and communication skills are just as critical as clinical training in preparing the next generation. He also highlights how hiring locally and removing barriers to entry can directly advance health equity and strengthen entire communities. Tune in to hear how bold thinking, strong partnerships, and early investment in young people could reshape the future of healthcare. About Dr. Bryan Sisk: Bryan Sisk, DNP, RN, NE-BC, serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive for Memorial Hermann Health System. In this role, Sisk leads the strategic direction of the organization’s nursing workforce…
People in this episode
Guest: Dr. Bryan Sisk
Topics covered
- healthcare workforce
- education
- mentorship
- health equity
- community investment
Keywords
- healthcare
- workforce shortages
- mentorship
- health equity
- clinical exposure
- education
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Memorial Hermann Health System, HEAL High School
Places: U.S.
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