In the face of ongoing shortages of health care employees, ECU Health is expanding its reach into eastern North Carolina high schools with a workforce development program pioneered in Pitt County 25 years ago.

Schools in Roanoke Rapids as well as Beaufort, Chowan and Hertford counties are set to begin Health Sciences Academy programs in the 2025-26 school year. Health Sciences Academy currently operates in partnership with schools in Pitt and Duplin counties.