Houston opens $67 million DeBakey High School for medical careers

Students and visitors fill the new Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professionals during a grand opening celebration for the new building in the Texas Medical Center, Thursday, June 1, 2017, in Houston. less Students and visitors fill the new Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professionals during a grand opening celebration for the new building in the Texas Medical Center, Thursday, June 1, 2017, in ... more Photo: Mark Mulligan, Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Mark Mulligan, Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 34 Caption Close Houston opens $67 million DeBakey High School for medical careers 1 / 34 Back to Gallery

Houston Independent School District's newest campus offers students an alternative to the traditional high school experience with a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum and hands-on practical health-field experience.

The high school for students interested in pursuing science and health careers had its grand opening and building dedication at 3 p.m. Thursday.

The Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions is located on the western edge of the Texas Medical Center and was built as part of a voter-approved 2012 bond program. It is located at 2545 Pressler Street near Holcomb.

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The five-story, 194,000-square-foot, $67 million building features state-of-the-art medical training equipment with teaching labs for dentistry, rehabilitation, and patient care.

It also features mock hospital rooms and science labs that mimic real-world research labs and provide interactive, hands-on experiences.