Officials with the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions will celebrate the school's 50th anniversary Oct. 29 at 2545 Pressler St., Houston, near the Texas Medical Center. DeBakey was founded in 1972 as the first high school for health professions in the U.S., according to an Oct. 10 news release from the Baylor College of Medicine, which partners with Houston ISD to run programming at the school. The anniversary will be commemorated with its annual Science Symposium, which will feature a gala and presentations from 50 alumni who will speak about their careers.

The school, named after the surgeon Michael DeBakey, partners with other TMC institutions to provide its students with hands-on experience in clinical rotations and operating rooms, according to the release.

“The establishment of the DeBakey High School for Health Professions, which then led to additional pipeline programs, speaks to our community outreach mission," said Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine. "Providing early exposure to STEM careers has made a significant impact on the career trajectory of DeBakey High School alumni over the past 50 years, and I look forward to seeing what the next 50 years will bring for the high school.”