What is HOSA?
HOSA is a club, advised by Brenda King, a family and consumer science and health science teacher at Arrowhead, that focuses on encouraging leadership of Arrowhead’s future health professionals. It consists of monthly meetings for members, and outside volunteering. Meetings are held in room 151 at North Campus.
Arrowhead’s website states HOSA’s goals as follows: “ 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 responsible citizenship traits, to make realistic career choices and seek successful employment in the healthcare field, to develop an understanding of current healthcare issues, environmental concerns, and survival needs of the community, the nation and the world, and to encourage involvement in local, state and national health care and education projects.”
According to the HOSA Membership Handbook, the club’s members are expected to participate in all monthly meetings, as well as one major Chapter Event, such as Hawkfest. Members also must be involved in three small or team individual community service events, which are sometimes planned by the club advisors, but students often have to get involved on their own.
Savannah Knaak is a senior at Arrowhead, and the Chapter President of HOSA.
She said, via email, that “HOSA is a newer club here at Arrowhead that was started with the desire to connect students who have one common interest: Healthcare. As a club, we try to give our participants opportunities to give back to the healthcare community through volunteering and donations. We try to allow the members to collaborate on a deeper level by having longer interactive meetings and doing fun activities at our events. This club has the potential to grow as the interest in healthcare grows.”
According to the HOSA calendar on the Arrowhead website, HOSA held a Health Occupations fair on October 3rd and 4th, and a HOSA pumpkin painting night on Thursday, October 18th. A monthly meeting will take place on October 22nd.
On Wednesday, October 17th, some members participated in “Laugh for a smile” fundraiser hosted by Prohealth and Waukesha Dental Clinic. The event included a silent auction, and HOSA members assisted with checking in participants, moving silent auction items, and greeting guests.
She says, “This year, in addition to numerous individual volunteer opportunities, HOSA will be collecting items this fall to create Blessing Bags for Hebron House and the Women’s Center. In spring we run a campaign to help raise awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis and participate in the Great Strides walk in Milwaukee. We also have many students thinking about competing.”
The club members also participate in competitions throughout the year, such as the State Leadership Competition and the Regional Competition which is new to HOSA members this year. Competitions include a variety of events, from Medical Terminology, which is a written test, to Prepared Speaking, where competitors give a speech to judges related to the National HOSA theme.
This year, the State Conference takes place on April 15-17 at Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells. Members interested in competing should contact King.
