If you’re a student interested in a career in healthcare, there’s some incredible news: Park High School just added a HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) chapter. HOSA is a student-led organization that helps future healthcare workers build skills, gain experience, and make connections in the medical field.
So, what does that mean for students? Well, joining HOSA means you’ll get access to leadership opportunities and even competitions where you can show off your healthcare knowledge. There are events covering everything from medical terminology and CPR to public health and even emergency preparedness. Plus, you’ll get a chance to meet professionals in the field.
“This is a great opportunity for students to explore different careers in healthcare,” said HOSA advisor Janine Ensign, who’s helping run the program as part of her efforts in Work-Based Learning at Park High. “HOSA gives students real world experience and helps them build leadership skills they’ll use in their future careers,” she remarked.
The club is still in its infancy, and the current members are focused on laying the foundation so future Park High students can benefit. While this year’s group is small with 19 students, and they are still figuring things out, they’re excited to build something lasting that could help many students explore healthcare careers in the years to come. “I am very excited to be able to compete and start this to be able to get it ready for future students,” said senior Quinci Wood, the chapter secretary.
Students are already excited about what HOSA could mean for their futures. Alissa Ruebusch, a senior at Park High and president of the club, said, “I’ve always wanted to go into medicine, and HOSA is the perfect way to get started.” With HOSA now at Park High, students who dream of becoming doctors, nurses, vets, EMTs, or any other healthcare worker have an incredible head start.
If you’re interested in joining, reach out to Janine Ensign in C-1 where they meet. Whether you’re looking to develop leadership skills or simply learn more about the healthcare field, HOSA is the perfect opportunity to get started and to help ensure this immense opportunity thrives for future students.