The Health Excellence Academy Lab School (HEALS) works in partnership with Emory & Henry College's School of Health Sciences and School of Nursing, the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School, Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Virginia Highlands Community College, and Wytheville Community College to provide a specific academic focus on preparing high school students for careers in healthcare.  The HEALS program is open to any student in the Commonwealth, but targets students from the partnering school divisions of the City of Bristol, Smyth County Public Schools, Washington County Public Schools, and Wythe County Public Schools. The HEALS program will provide a rigorous coursework, hands-on clinical skills development, and experiential healthcare opportunities that complement the advanced studies high school curriculum and prepare students for healthcare related college and career pathways.