Instructor – Cindy Quisenberry

HOSA is an effective instructional strategy for helping students achieve the goals of the Health Occupations Education program.

In 1976, the founders of HOSA met in Arlington, Texas, to build a foundation which has resulted in a very special student organization. For those not familiar with other career and technical student organizations (CTSOs), it is important to emphasize the mission, beliefs, values and best practices of HOSA.

The purpose of the HOSA organization is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.

"To enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health occupations students, therefore, helping the students to meet the needs of the health care community."

The goals that HOSA believes are vital to each member are: To promote physical, mental and social well being. To develop effective leadership qualities and skills. To develop the ability to communicate more effectively with people. To develop character. To develop responsible citizenship traits.

To understand the importance of pleasing oneself as well as being of service to others. To build self-confidence and pride in one's work. To make realistic career choices and seek successful employment in the health care field. To develop an understanding of the importance in interacting and cooperating with other students and organizations. To encourage individual and group achievement.

To develop an understanding of current health care issues, environmental concerns, and survival needs of the community, the nation and the world. To encourage involvement in local, state and national health care and education projects. To support Health Science Education instructional objectives. To promote career opportunities in health care.

HOSA is totally focused on the needs of the health care community. While some organizations may attempt to be "all things to many industries," HOSA is 100 % health care oriented.

HOSA's mission is especially critical when considering the acute shortage of qualified health care workers. HOSA serves as a pipeline for future healthcare professionals. HOSA is the largest health care related organization operating in high schools through Health Occupations Education or Health Sciences programs.

HOSA is committed to providing health occupations students with opportunities to attain the knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity necessary to satisfy the entry level job requirements and career advancement opportunities of the health care community. HOSA is special because it is integrated into the health occupations classroom rather than being a separate set of activities in which a few students are involved.

HOSA is a student-led organization. It would be difficult for HOSA to achieve its goals if students were not placed in leadership roles (at local, state and national levels) and allowed to develop, practice and refine their leadership skills. To ensure student leadership at the national level, one-third of the membership of HOSA, Inc. Board of Directors is elected student representatives.

HOSA members are encouraged to take full advantage of the National HOSA Competitive Events Program, a constantly expanding and improving series of health care related competitive events. All HOSA competitive events are focused helping students prepare for their roles in the health care community.

HOSA competitive events can be totally integrated into the health occupations classrooms as instructional tools. HOSA events are designed to accommodate all learning styles. For example, several events require a skills demonstration as well as, a test of knowledge.,

HOSA recognizes the need for members to apply knowledge and complex reasoning rather than just low-level information. HOSA competitive events are designed to encourage members to use their higher order thinking skills as they problem-solve and apply knowledge in the development of their technical and leadership skills.

Dental Spelling Dental Terminology Medical Terminology Medical Math Medical Spelling Medical Reading Knowledge (Human Growth & Development, Pathophysiology, Medical Law & Ethics, Pharmacology, and Nutrition)

Biotechnology Clinical Nursing Clinical Specialty Dental Science Home Health Aide Medical Assisting Nursing Assisting Personal Care Physical Therapy Sports Medicine Veterinary Science

CERT Skills CPR/First Aid EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Epidemiology Life Support Skills Public Health

Extemporaneous Health Poster Extemporaneous Speaking Extemporaneous Writing Healthy Lifestyle Interviewing Skills Job Seeking Skills Medical Photography Prepared Speaking Research Persuasive Speaking Speaking Skills

Biomedical Debate Career Health Display Community Awareness Creative Problem Solving Forensic Medicine Health Education HOSA Bowl Parliamentary Procedure Public Service Announcement

HOSA believes that it should be "fun" to participate in a competitive event. While maintaining the high standards demanded in the health care community, HOSA has reduced the stress that has accompanied competitions in the past by: not allowing students to be disqualified from competition.

HOSA conducts its annual conference in different cities to provide students and advisors with opportunities to travel to different locations during their membership in HOSA. HOSA members rejected the practice of conducting the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in the same city more than two consecutive years. This year’s conference is in Nashville, TN. The 2012 conference was held in Orlando, FL. The 2012 Keynote Speaker was JR Martinez.

HOSA encourages national health care associations and companies to sponsor NLC competitive events providing financial support, equipment and/or judges. HOSA members are provided unique opportunities to meet and network with potential employers and health care leaders who can give them information critical to their career interests.

HOSA provides its members with opportunities to purchase blazers, pins, and other membership items from the HOSA Supply Service which can be contacted easily at

HOSA's beliefs and values include: Promotion of career opportunities in health care Respect for individuals -- HOSA members and advisors Service to the health care community Strive for excellence in everything done

Headquarters – Flower Mound, TX Executive Director – Dr. Jim Koeninger Associate Director – Karen Koeninger HOSA also has a Washington, DC office Director – George Sifakis Assistant Director – Adriana Sifakis