A program allowing middle and high school students the chance to work toward a future career in medicine was formally announced this morning by Austin ISD. "Today is about a new bold vision around a health professions program—something that we have been planning, studying and researching, and now it is coming together in a very meaningful way because it comes together in a partnership," Superintendent Paul Cruz said during this morning's press conference. In partnership with the University of Texas Dell Medical School and Austin Community College, the health professions program will originate in the proposed northeast middle school at Mueller and feed into LBJ Early College High School. There is also an opportunity for other middle schools to adopt the program, Cruz said. "It's both our passion and part of our mission to help students see themselves in these essential roles  [of] creating healing in the community—in fact, the very first Dell Medical School students were middle- and high-schoolers who enrolled in our Health Sciences Summer Camps in 2014 and 2015," Mini Kahlon, vice dean for strategy at partnerships at the Dell Medical school, said in a statement. Implementation of the program is contingent upon passage of the district's $1.05 billion bond, which includes $22 million allocated toward the program's Phase 1 buildout. The bond also proposes moving the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, which currently shares a campus with LBJ, to the Eastside Memorial High School campus, allowing space for the health professions program. If executed, the program would be open to applicants districtwide. To participate in the high school program at LBJ, students outside of its attendance boundary would need to apply for a transfer, according to district staff. High school students who participate in the program would earn dual credit at Austin Community College, district staff said. They would also be provided access to guided learning by physicians, medical students and other health professionals. If the bond is passed, the district estimates a school year 2020-21 implementation date.