HOSA: The Future of Health Occupations

Health Occupations Students of America, also known as HOSA, is an organization that works with students to promote leadership skills in learning about numerous medical occupations. The organization is realized by the U.S. Department of Education and Health Science Technology Education Division, ACTE. HOSA aims to educate young students by providing health opportunities and experience in the medical industry. A few students commented on their experience. Mariam Khan, a member since her freshman year, joined HOSA, approaching the opportunity to explore the healthcare field. She stated, “I wasn’t really exposed to any healthcare in any classes or any other club. So when I heard of HOSA, I thought, why not?” She explained her favorite aspects of being a member, such as forming various relationships and engaging with numerous speakers, including nurses, EMTs, and firefighters, helping widen her perspective of future career opportunities. She mentioned the main things from her experience saying, “It’s just all the kind of relationships you can make with people and the different aspects of healthcare you don’t usually get to see.” Mariam further explains how there is a lot to gain from joining. Gaining knowledge that otherwise may be difficult to learn. She shares the club’s goal, “To become leaders because in healthcare we need leaders.”

Another student, Vishruth Pina, a senior, gave insight on how they meet certain goals or collaborate saying, “We learn a lot of medical skills, such as CPR, taking blood pressure or sugar, we learn a lot of the basics. And if you’re going into the medical field, developing those skills early on is helpful.” Vishruth explained how HOSA provides hands-on experience and resources for students to get a head start. Furthermore showing how HOSA continuously works with students to empower future health professionals in the efforts to educate, collaborate, and give experience. The organization actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry.

Ann Bozen, a member for four years, and Whitney Overton, in her first year, both serve as sponsors for HOSA at the Waukee Innovation Learning Center (WILC). Overton is co-sponsoring as she currently teaches Exploration of Health Science and Medicine. They both advocate for the club saying it provides numerous skills such as leadership, organization, committee work, competitive handling, and professionalism. Overton mentioned, “Learning about all the different health science careers. They get to explore based on speakers and things that they get to do. Hands-on here.” When asked what advice they would give to students considering joining HOSA, Bosen replied, “Come and join us. Explore health careers and you’ll find out if you want to be more interested and more involved or you’ll find out maybe this isn’t for me, but it’s still a great place to be with students after school.” HOSA is an amazing club to help students prepare for college and the real world. Gain experience by coming to the WILC every Tuesday from 3:35 pm to 4:30 pm in the Triangle, or the center of the building.