Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) is the only club that’s available exclusively at Hammond Oliver (HO). Students enrolled in Health Science Technology classes at HO can join the organization which emphasizes service and career opportunities in health care.
As the holiday season approaches, HOSA students prepare for their many service projects and activities, including Halloween festivities.
“Each year around Halloween, HOSA turns Hammond Oliver, which used to be an old hospital, into a creepy hospital,” sponsor Erin Wright said.
Members also participate in sending Christmas cards to the troops, canned food drives, Easter dinners for Twin City Mission and other various service projects.
“Our main areas of focus are medically related volunteer projects, such as helping with Special Olympics and the Pancreatic Cancer Walk,” Wright said.
HOSA is a program that helps bring more people into the health care industry, which has seen a shortage of qualified workers over the past few years.
“I am interested in pursing a career in health care; so, when I found out about HOSA I wanted to join,” senior Colleen Roberts said. “I would personally like to pursue a career in nursing.”
Other students also see the benefits of HOSA when searching for a career in the medical field.
“My interest in the medical field and wanting to look at all of the different aspects of it made me want to join HOSA,” senior Carla Roberts said. “I want to go into nursing and eventually become a practitioner or specialize in a certain area.”
In addition to service opportunities, members can go on trips to the Texas A&M University Health Science Center and attend the Fall and Spring Leadership Conferences as well as apply for local scholarships.
“Each sponsor can nominate seniors for scholarships,” sponsor Lacy Glover said. “The requirements are 4 years of attendance as a Hammond Oliver student, HOSA membership, leadership qualities, attendance and letters of recommendation.”
At the State and National conferences, members have the opportunity to participate in events that cover medical math, dental assistance, CPR, interview skills, biomedical debate and many other skills.
“Each year our students do well in area competition. Hammond Oliver has had students compete at the national level in various knowledge tests,” Wright said.
If students are interested in being a part of HOSA they can contact sponsors Lacy Glover and Erin Wright for more information on HOSA. They are always looking for students who are passionate about the health care field.
“I love seeing students get excited about entering health professions,” Wright said.
