HOSA: New Mexico Students Compete at National Leadership Conference
New Mexico HOSA students excelled and competed at the National HOSA Leadership Conference, June 17 – 21 in Dallas, Texas. Nearly 5,000 competitors participated in over 40 events about health sciences, health professions, emergency preparedness, teamwork and leadership. Areas of competition included medical terminology, pathophysiology, dental assisting, CPR/first aid, rescue breathing, medical photography, and HOSA bowl. The mission of HOSA is to promote career opportunities in health care and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. To know more about the organization, please visit their website, www.HOSA.org.
Chapters attended and competed at the State HOSA competition in April 2008. Students from Carlsbad, Alamo, and Onate High Schools and Central New Mexico Community College participated. In April, students voted Michael Ortiz, President and Sara Rel, Vice-President to represent NM HOSA. These state officers also represented New Mexico at the National Business meeting. Students that competed at the state conference and placed in the top three had the opportunity to advance and represent New Mexico at the National HOSA Leadership Conference in Dallas.
The professional events require a written test to be taken, and participants that receive over 70% move on to the skill event. The hands-on skill event includes a written scenario simulating a potential “situation” that could be encountered in the real world. Procedures need to be completed according to published guidelines, and each competitor performs the procedures of the event as they are evaluated by a team of judges. Most events have secondary and post-secondary divisions, with awards distributed separately at the High School and Collegiate levels.
New Mexico HOSA was recognized as a State with 141% increase in membership. Javier Jaquez from Onate High School placed seventh at the National Leadership Conference in Extemporaneous Health Poster. In the collegiate veterinary assisting event, Kathy Runk brought home the Gold medal, Tanya Henson brought home the Bronze, and Amanda Boyles was recognized in fourth place. Lynnette Rogers, from CNM, served as a member of the courtesy corps and as a voting delegate for New Mexico for the HOSA business meeting. Congratulations to these students who brought national recognition to New Mexico HOSA.
