Episode
EP. 126: Growing Our Own: How Early Investment Transforms Healthcare Communities
- Published
- Feb 25, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2405
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- https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/DHT5888780919.mp3?updated=1773155360
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Summary
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, comprising more than 14,000 registered nurses. Dr. Sisk is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army. He has served in various leadership roles – ranging from Chief Nurse Officer, nurse advocacy and leadership development, preventive medicine, and public health in military, government, for-profit, and not-for-profit health systems. He is a strong advocate for the nursing profession, works tirelessly to reduce barriers to health care as a career, and is passionate about creating supportive environments that accelerate personal and professional growth. He championed the newly formed Memorial Hermann Inst…