OKLAHOMA (OBV) – Oklahoma student members of HOSA – Future Health Professionals racked up big wins at the HOSA International Leadership Conference.
Around 250 Oklahoma HOSA members participated in the Leadership Conference, winning 31 medals and earning more than 70 top 10 finishes.
Medals won by Oklahoma HOSA members include 12 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze. Seventy-two students placed in the top 10 in 44 competitions. The Oklahomans placed first in 16 events, according to Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (Oklahoma CareerTech) officials.
The Oklahoma team was recognized for many accomplishments, including membership increases.
Several Oklahoma chapters received gold, silver and bronze level honors for the Barbara James Community Service Award; silver level awards for America’s Blood Center; and HOSA service project awards for raising $14,518 for Be the Match, which connects blood marrow donors with patients needing transplants.
Lisa Dyer, an Oklahoma HOSA adviser who serves as emergency medical services director at Kiamichi Technology Centers in Poteau, and six postsecondary students, Ashley Newman, Dee McQuate, Dalton Mahoney, Katey Lawson, Ethan Flynt and Aaron Lindsey, were presented the HOSA Hero Award on stage for their actions during the 2022 HOSA ILC. The seven Oklahomans gave lifesaving first aid to two people who were attacked during the 2022 HOSA event.
Oklahoma HOSA advisers helped facilitate the following three student competitions: public health, emergency medical technician and CPR/first aid. Gina Riggs, who retired from Kiamichi Technology Centers, was the competitive events lieutenant, while Dana Chandler of Tulsa Technology Center was the competitive events chair.
“These competitions could not have taken place without their time and efforts to manage skills, judges, patients and timekeepers. We are thankful for their service and dedication to students!” said Amy Warner, HOSA state adviser with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
Oklahoma state officers who participated in the event either served as voting delegates or ran as candidates for the new HOSA executive council. Warner served on the HOSA Inc. National Board, representing the central region’s 16 states.
HOSA is affiliated with health career education and is one of seven CareerTech student organizations. The other six CareerTech student organizations include Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (family and consumer sciences education), FFA (agricultural education), DECA (marketing education), SkillsUSA (trade and industrial education), Business Professionals of America (business and information technology education) and Technology Student Association (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
CareerTech provides students across Oklahoma leadership and resources in career and technology education. CareerTech’s programs and services span 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 391 PK-12 school districts, 17 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The State Board of Career and Technology Education governs CareerTech.
CareerTech works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide career education and training.
