California HOSA: "Solving the Mysteries of Healthcare!"

The 2012 California HOSA State Leadership Conference was held in Anaheim California, March 29th- Match 31st. This conference was packed with constant energy, nonstop action, and loads of leadership. Reaching an all time high of 2,000 members in attendance, the 2012 California HOSA State Leadership Conference was a special event, where not only mysteries were solved, but history was made.

On the opening day of the conference, blue suits from across the golden state filled the Anaheim Convention Center.  Members entered the opening session with excitement and enthusiasm. The conference opened with the state officer team dressed as various different future health professionals who were “Solving the Mysteries of Healthcare!”. The crowd cheered in excitement for all individuals who were honored during the opening session. With energy levels so high, it was exciting to know that this was only the beginning of a fantastic conference.

The second day of the conference consisted of numerous competitive events. Member wandered the hallways anxiously studying and preparing for their events, courtesy corps members enjoyed the opportunity to be disguised as patients for various teamwork events, and advisors instilled students with hope and optimism as they prepped with students one last time after a long year of hard work and dedication.

After competitive events, the day was not over! The time had come again, for California HOSA’s 2nd annual talent show, “The Night of Mystery.” Members Gathered together for a fun filled night of talents, games, refreshments, and line dancing! All members got pumped up, showed their HOSA pride and most importantly, had fun! As one of the highlights of the California HOSA State Leadership Conference, the Night of Mystery Talent Show was an event where many memories were made!

The final day of the conference consisted of the grand awards session. All 2,000 members gathered together once more to discover who placed in their competitive events and will be headed to the National Leadership Conference this June! As the top 3 winners were announced for each competitive event, members screamed with excitement, jumped with joy, and some cried tears of happiness. It was evident that these successful competitors were extremely thankful that all their hard work paid off! Finally, at the conclusion of the grand awards session, the 2012-2013 California HOSA State Officer Team was installed into their offices! After the Installation of the new Officer, 2012-2013 California HOSA State President, Raul Hasbun adjourned the conference. Your National Executive Council is looking forward to seeing California HOSA members at the National Leadership Conference in June!

HOSA Thriving in the Land of Enchantment

On March 29th, New Mexico HOSA members met in Albuquerque to celebrate their successes, elect new leaders, and earn a spot at this year's NLC. National President-Elect David Kelly had the opportunity to attend the event, held at the Albuquerque Crowne Plaza, and was honored to be able to participate in the conference. It started with a bang as New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez visited with state officers and board members about what it takes to be a student leader in today's world.

As the Opening General Session drew near, music emanated from the ballroom and members took their seats. State President Anmol Arora and State Vice President Ernesto Olivas presided, and members heard remarks by both board members and State Director Saundra Castillo. After introducing the members to this year's National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, the state officers adjourned the session, allowing members to get a good night's rest before competition ensued the following morning.

Members congratulate one another on their achievements!

The air in the Crowne Plaza crackled with excitement as members competed to earn a place at Nationals. From skills competitions to Leadership events, members had prepared for months to demonstrate their passion for healthcare. The moment arrived that evening as the ballroom doors were thrown open for the Grand Awards Session. State Officers reminded the attendees of the extraordinary work that was put in to make this conference a success and congratulated them on performing well. All in all, many competitors took home medals and a chance to attend the NLC. Several new chapters won prestigious awards and were excited about their first HOSA experience. There must be a reason why they call New Mexico the Land of Enchantment; he magic that New Mexico enjoys continues to be good to residents and visitors alike. New Mexico HOSA is embracing this year's national theme, and is truly Impacting Their Futures!

Statement from Secretary Sebelius on National Public Health Week April 2012

Check out the statement released today by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebellius!

If you're doing anything with your chapter to celebrate National Public Health Week, let us know! Post it on the National HOSA Facebook page, tweet us at @NationalHOSA and e-mail the National Executive Council (http://www.hosa.org/natorg/ExecutiveCouncil.html)! 

Virginia HOSA: "Helping others, serving always."

The wonderful state of Virginia welcomed Region II Vice-President, Nathalie Figueroa, to their 32nd annual State Leadership Conference. It was held at the Williamsburg Hotel and Conference Center in Williamsburg, Virginia from March 16-18. Members gathered to demonstrate and improve their medical and leadership skills while making new friends across the state.

Friday, March 16, 2012

The conference began with members arriving from schools all across Virginia. Registration and competitive event orientations were held throughout the day. The Williamsburg Hotel and Conference Center was full of life as members practiced their skills in study groups and socialized with new friends. Advisors and volunteers worked hard as they ran the orientations and prepared for competitions the following day.

During the opening session, a multitude of chapters gathered to celebrate the beginning of a thrilling weekend. The State Officers welcomed everyone, led members in reciting the HOSA creed, and explained the purpose, agenda, and guidelines for the ensuing days.

Richmond Tech's EMS Ambulance flashed lights, talked, and moved around the conference room exciting members before the opening session! 

Enthusiastic members representing their chapters and ready to kick-off a great conference. 

Andrea Sawyer

The keynote speaker, Andrea Sawyer, gave a motivational speech about the decisions we make after going through challenging experiences. When her husband returned from Iraq with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), she became his caregiver. She described how she watched him deteriorate before her eyes and the challenges she faced in receiving the proper care for her husband. Her hope was dwindling until she found the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). It made them feel empowered to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others facing the same obstacles. WWP's Policy and Government Affairs program gave her the opportunity to express to the White House and members of Congress the importance of mental healthcare for our wounded warriors and support for their caregivers. 

She finished by saying that we can respond to obstacles in three different ways. We can let a challenge affect us negatively forever, we can overcome a challenge, or we can overcome a challenge and change it for others so that they do not have to face the same problems. The choice is ours.

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

The night concluded with a talent show that singing, dancing, and instrumental acts. The talent was truly through the roof!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Behind the scenes, State Officers and State Advisor, Mrs. Ann Craddock, prepare for the day's events, which included a variety of workshops, competitions, and various sessions.

Beautiful HOSA uniforms and Virginia HOSA pins were found all throughout the conference. Members who dressed for success received ribbons and wore them proudly. 

 

Workshops on every kind of subject were held all day. Out of the many workshops offered to members at the conference was this "Dress for Success" workshop. Members and advisors received tips on how to dress sharp.

 

That night, the State Officers led the recognition session at a banquet where members and advisors dressed up. What a great way to recognize the members, advisors, and guests that give back to HOSA and the medical community at large. 

After the session, members attended "Fun Night," which included events such as Bingo, a dance, Wii games, karaoke, and corn-hole. Members represented their chapter shirts throughout the conference. Check out these soon-to-be nurses showing their medical pride on "Fun Night."

                                       Sunday, March 18, 2012

The morning started with State Officers ready to award members after a weekend of challenging and exciting competition. Members waited eagerly for the results!

The 2012-2013 State Officers accepting the responsibilities of their office. Virginia HOSA has great leaders!

Post-Secondary/Collegiate winners after the awards ceremony. They're ready for Nationals! 

Secondary winners after the awards ceremony. See you in Orlando, Florida at the 35th Annual National Leadership Conference! 

The 2011-2012 State Officer Team, State Advisor, Mrs. Ann Craddock, and National Officer, Nathalie Figueroa.

Virginia HOSA's 32nd annual State Leadership Conference was full of friendships, successes, and lessons that will continue to mold future healthcare professionals. 

Penn Hosa's 33rd Annual State Leadership Conference

Penn HOSA’s 33^rd Annual State Leadership Conference took place at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. From March 5^th – March 7^th, 2012 over 800 Penn HOSA members and advisors met to compete, learn, and celebrate Penn HOSA.

Monday March 5, 2012

Students checked into the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center. Early in the day, the interviews of the new state officer candidates took place. The interviews determined the slating of officers for the 2012-2013 Penn HOSA Executive Council. Later these candidates would speak in front of the assembly with their election speeches. That evening the Opening Session took place on a charming colonial style stage with red, white, and blue lights. The parade of flags soon took place where all Penn HOSA chapters represented their school with a unique flag while proudly marching around the auditorium.

Beautiful Colonial Stage for Penn HOSA's Sessions

After the opening session, the voting delegates were split into committee meetings. Bylaws, Dress Code, Opening Sessions, and Penn HOSA marketing are among the committees that met to discuss the new and exciting things planned for Penn HOSA. They also served as forum for suggestions on how to improve upon this already amazing organization for next year.

The party didn’t stop here. It was time for BINGO! Hundreds of Penn HOSA members gathered for their chance to win one of many beautiful gift baskets. Each basket was themed and they ranged from super heroes to Candyland. The night was full of snacks, prizes, and laughs.

Tuesday March 6, 2012

Students in scrubs, business attire, EMT jumpsuits scurried around the Lancaster Host complex going to their respective competitive events. That evening the Recognition Session took place to an electric room filled with heart pumping music, cheers, and excitement. The session was full of awards, an inspirational keynote speech, and smiles.

Among those awards was the Scholarships of Penn HOSA Foundation. Over the past six years, the Penn HOSA Foundation has raised $275,000 and awarded 155 scholarships valued at $240,000. Approximately eighty percent of the students pursue a nursing degree.

Voting Delegates Orientation 

After the Recognition Session, it was time for American Idol. Penn HOSA has some major talent! They showcased this talent in front of the Judges: Grandpa Beiber, J-Lo, and Steven Tyler. The members sang songs ranging from Adele to Taylor Swift. The advisors even teamed up in baseball caps to perform their version of “Do Wah Ditty Ditty.” 

Wednesday March 7, 2012

The competitive events are over and everyone is excited to find out the results from the conference. It may have been nine in the morning but that did not stop Penn HOSA from celebrating loud and proud.

Congratulations to all competitors!

The 33^rd Annual Penn HOSA State Leadership Conference was a complete success and ended with the outgoing state officers performing popular Disney movies to get the crowd pumped up for the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida!

Louisiana HOSA: Reaching New Heights

Determined, passionate and enthusiastic are just a few words to describe the members of Louisiana HOSA. For two days this group of future health professionals would have many exciting guest speakers, workshops, competitive events and HOSA sessions to attend!

Your Region I Vice President Tayla Brown had the pleasure and opportunity to share those two days with Louisiana State HOSA for their 2012 Spring Leadership Conference. The conference was held in Lafayette, Louisiana at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. The beautiful hotel served as the perfect spot for the next two days. 

Region I VP Tayla Brown with Louisiana State Officers and Advisor.

5,4,3,2,1!
Day 1 of the conference began with registration, opening session and workshops. Members and advisors lined the hall during registration eager to attend and ready for opening session. Registration consisted of all the essentials you would need during the conference like schedules, maps, and cool Louisiana HOSA tee shirts and drawstring bags. Once everyone was registered, opening session begun. Region I Vice President, Tayla Brown welcomed everyone attending on behalf of National HOSA and raised excitement for the National Leadership Conference that will be held in Orlando, Florida this year. Members were excited to have their chapters and advisors recognized, and the new middle school and post-secondary/collegiate chapters were all also welcomed during this time. Guest speaker Dr. Tahisa Colbert a local dentist who graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City also shared her story and gave the members a encouraging message about not giving up on their goals in life. During lunch session the state officers candidates were introduced and gave their campaign speeches.

Louisiana HOSA also hosted a senior dinner that night. This dinner was held to congratulate all the senior HOSA members. Dinner included a slide show and a short speech from Tayla Brown about the transition from high school to college and how to remain focused on their journey. The group of seniors were all given HOSA keepsake glasses for memories.

Louisiana HOSA Logo.

Two is always better than one!

Day 2 was ignited with a zumba class and breakfast to get the day off to a healthy start. Members continued on with competitions and workshops until lunch. During lunch the new Louisiana State Officers were installed and guest speaker Senator Fred Mills gave the everyone an inspiring speech about not letting one mistake hold you back from a successful future.

The conference was coming to a close but not before the awards session, a time when members were eager to find out the results of their competition and see if their hard work dedication had paid off. The points had been counted and the results were in, the awards session was underway. Smiles brightened the room as members names were called for each competition and awarded a medal of bronze, silver or gold. State advisor Shirlene Bender also announced which HOSA chapter would be taking home the Louisiana HOSA Cup! The conference closed with HOSA cheers and a short recap of the year by Louisiana HOSA's former state president Rebecca Stanley. The Louisiana SLC was a huge success, everyone who attended took something home with them from this conference from new experiences to new friends!

HOSA Visits with School Leaders at the Annual NASSP Conference

This year's NASSP Conference was all about "Breaking Ranks"

The streets of Tampa buzzed with the promise of education as more than 1,000 school leaders converged on the Tampa Convention Center March 8th. The conference, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, was all about changing the way leaders think about education by "Breaking Ranks". Attendees visited many exhibitors during the three-day event, one of which was HOSA - Future Health Professionals! Principals and visitors were drawn to the booth by the presentation of this year's HOSA feature video: Impact Your Future. The video includes many of the most exciting facts and figures about HOSA as well as many attendees of the 2011 National Leadership Conference. See if you appear in the video on Youtube! Visitors to the display were greeted by Mrs. Sheila Carlton, past National Board Chairperson, and National President-Elect David Kelly. Some wanted to be introduced to HOSA, while others simply stopped by to offer their support - we have amazing advisors! One thing was exceptionally clear throughout the show: the word is getting out. HOSA is seeing incredible numbers come in at the national office in Flower Mound, Texas, and interest is only growing as health careers emerge at the forefront of global workforce needs. After seeing the enthusiasm of both established advisors as well as prospective chapters, one has to marvel at the incredible opportunity afforded to such an amazing organization. Ladies and gentlemen, the secret is out. HOSA is making its mark on the world of health, the world of education, and the world itself. HOSA - Future Health Professionals.