DEMOPOLIS — A nationwide search for a leader of the developing Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences has led to the hiring of a seasoned and honored educator.
The ASHS Board of Trustees named an “excited” Dr. James “Jimmy” Martin, superintendent of schools in Pell City in St. Clair County, as president of the school at their meeting Friday.
“Every person who goes into education wants to make a difference for young people and in their communities,” Martin said. “The potential for this school to change lives in so many ways is what attracted me to it.”
Martin said he views ASHS as a hope for youth and that the school has the real ability to make an impact by improving rural health care throughout the state. He also said he welcomes the opportunity to build a school from the ground up and understands the immense work ahead before the first students are welcomed next year.
“We are delighted to find someone who not only understands the complexity of ASHS but who is so willing to commit to its development and to attracting the students, faculty and staff who will fulfill its mission from the outset,” said Mike Warren, president of the ASHS board of trustees.
The school, scheduled to welcome its first freshman class of up to 100-110 in rural Demopolis in the fall of 2026, will become the fourth in a network of tuition-free, residential specialty high schools in the Alabama public school system. It is also one of 10 healthcare-focused high schools nationwide funded partially through the Bloomberg Philanthropies and affiliated with established healthcare systems.
Partnering with Whitfield Regional Hospital, a member of the UAB Health System, ASHS will offer workforce training to help alleviate Alabama’s crisis in rural healthcare, providing students with in-demand careers they can begin with their diploma, or that can lead to advanced medical training in community college and four-year college and university programs.
“When you can make education relevant, students will buy in,” said Martin. “We will be offering something far beyond a traditional high school, and that kind of engagement and the experiences at our school will be what attract and retain students.
“The pathways and curriculum that are being developed right now are what will inspire students and their families to commit, and what will ultimately get the healthcare pipeline flowing into rural communities in a way that will transform the quality of life.”
Besides practical training, Martin said ASHS’s goal is “creating a passion for the work and for being exposed to the rewards of healthcare and meeting the needs of people in rural Alabama.”
In addition to leading Pell City Schools for six years, Martin was superintendent of the Harris County and Chattahoochee County school districts in Georgia for 10 years, and led those districts to receiving honors for academic achievement. In 2017, he received the Georgia School Superintendents Association President’s Award. He has also worked as a school improvement specialist, principal, teacher and band director.
Martin earned his bachelor’s degree in music education and Ed.D in educational leadership from Auburn University, and a master of science degree in educational administration from Troy State. He was part of the Alabama State Department of Education Superintendents Academy through the University of Alabama from 2003-04.
He and his wife, Kerrie, have two grown children.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
