Memorial Hermann The Woodlands and Angel Reach Create Health Care Career Pathway for Youth Experiencing Homelessness

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and Angel Reach have partnered to open a direct pathway into health care careers for young adults aging out of foster care or facing homelessness. The partnership, which placed five Angel Reach residents into paid Patient Care Technician roles at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, began not with a committee or a proposal, but with a site visit and a personal conviction.

John Voight, vice president and chief nursing officer at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, initiated the relationship after visiting Angel Reach’s facility and meeting with George Lindahl, one of the organization’s founders.

“I spent time in foster care as a child, so this wasn’t an abstract cause for me,” said Voight. “When I walked through Angel Reach and met these young people, I saw real potential that just needed a real opportunity. I knew Memorial Hermann could provide that, and I wasn’t willing to walk away without finding a way to make it happen.”

Through Memorial Hermann’s entry-level Patient Care Technician program, Angel Reach residents are hired into paid clinical support roles with no prior health care experience required. Participants receive full training, onboarding, and ongoing mentorship. They gain hands-on experience supporting patient care, including assisting with daily living activities, obtaining vital signs, contributing to a safe and compassionate patient environment, and cross-training in patient transport and observation roles.

Earlier this year, five Angel Reach young adults were hired into the program. The results have exceeded expectations.

“When young adults are given training, support, and a clear pathway forward, it changes the trajectory of their lives,” said Dan Alexander, CEO, executive director of Angel Reach. “This partnership does exactly that, and Memorial Hermann has shown what it looks like when a healthcare system genuinely invests in the community it serves.”

All five are thriving in their roles, developing clinical and professional skills while gaining the stability and confidence that comes from meaningful, sustained employment. Several have already begun exploring long-term careers in healthcare.

“Seeing John share his personal journey with the clients and inspire them to pursue meaningful roles in healthcare was a full-circle moment that captured the heart of this partnership. Our collaboration with Angel Reach has elevated our hospital in powerful ways. We’ve seen real growth in our team members, not only in their skills and confidence but in the pride they bring to their roles.” Said Chelsea Leblanc-Arrington, nursing support director, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands.

Memorial Hermann leaders report that the Angel Reach participants have quickly distinguished themselves as some of the most motivated and dependable entry-level employees in the program.

“Leading this group has been incredibly rewarding,” said Taylor White, support operations manager for Transport, PCT, and CVMP at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. “These individuals bring strong commitment, genuine compassion for patients, and a drive to grow that is remarkable. They are making us better.”

As the partnership expands, Memorial Hermann is preparing its next round of hiring. In a significant development, all five original participants have volunteered to mentor the incoming group, creating a peer support structure that extends the program’s reach and reinforces its impact from within.

“This is exactly what sustainable workforce development looks like,” said Voight. “These young people came to us without healthcare experience, and now they’re the ones showing the next group the way. That’s not just a job program. That’s a career pipeline with roots in the community.”

Angel Reach serves young adults ages 18 to 24 who have aged out of foster care or are at risk of homelessness, providing housing, life skills training, and pathways to long-term self-sufficiency. To find out more, visit the website at www.angelreach.org

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