As summer kicked off, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) student competitors prepared to bring their best to Houston, Texas.
Previously at the state competition in Orlando last April, Heritage had 58 winners and 39 international qualifiers. Following a year of practice tests and simulated healthcare procedures, these qualifying students set off for the Lone Star State, eager to compete in the 47th annual International Leadership Conference (ILC) June 26-29.
HOSA claims that ILC is the “highlight of the year for every HOSA member and advisors.” It includes “competitive events focused on leadership, professional and technical skills; the annual business of the international student organization of HOSA by the voting delegates; educational seminars, workshops and exhibits presented by professional partners that provide information about current healthcare issues; an opportunity to meet people from across the globe with similar career goals; and exciting general sessions providing recognition and opportunity for all HOSA members.”
While at the conference, competitors had the opportunity to exchange pins with students from other states. Each student was given five pins from their own state and encouraged to trade them for the “best” pins from other states.
Besides pin trading, students killed it in the competition. For example, senior Jeeya Patel noted that she is very proud of her team. “We won first in TolTech, which is a virtual reality anatomy tournament, so we won Heritage a TolTech VR machine,” Patel said.
Without further ado, here are the rest of the winners:
ATC Testing:
Anatomy and Physiology
Top 10 finalist: Yevanhelina Porokhniava
Career Development
1st place: Anya Pinto
Math for Health Professionals
Top 10 finalist: Apollo Lee
Top 10 finalist: Rithvik Marri
Leadership:
Exempt Writing Health Policy
Finalist: Anya Pinto
Health Career Photography
Finalist: Armaan Fatteh Patil
Teamwork:
HOSA Bowl
5th place: Surina Gadh, Gabi Passaro, Josh Turner, Lauren Wong
Health Sciences:
Health Informatics
Finalist: Sahir Hai
Emergency Preparedness:
CERT
2nd place: Naomi Tamura, Patricia Duffy
Finalist: Noah-Duro Andre, Elizabeth Cook
CPR
Finalist: Jaimee Canalejo, Samantha Almonte Pineda
Life Threatening Situations
Finalist: Abigail Dinski
TolTech
1st place: Carla Del Rio, Jeeya Patel, Gabriel Restrepo, Kangana Modi
Anatomage
3rd place: Apollo Lee, Rolando Perez, Andres Vidaurre, Karthik Maddineni
Seniors (left to right) Surina Gadh, Jaimee Canalejo, Arissa Khan and Gabriel Restrepo are ready for their events. The four of them have practiced for their events since the beginning of the school year and were prepared to show what they know. (Photo/Surina Gadh)
Seniors (left to right) Surina Gadh, Naomi Tamura and Gabi Passaro are dressed and prepared to perform. They are all on the Pre-Med track at Heritage so competing in HOSA helps them further immerse themselves in the medical field. (Photo/Surina Gadh)
After a long few days of competing, students sat through the HOSA awards ceremony. Heritage took home many of the awards, including four top three placings and many more finalists. (Photo/Surina Gadh)
As the trip comes to an end, the Heritage HOSA team sports their new “TEXAS” sweatshirts as a souvenir in the airport. (Photo/Surina Gadh)
