Izzy Campie

At Marian, a group of HOSA students are getting a head start on their careers.

HOSA, which stands for Health Occupations Students of America, is an organization that empowers high school students to explore their passion for healthcare while developing essential skills for their future careers.

Five students are currently involved in the Marian chapter of HOSA: Madi Brunson, Nora Fitzpatrick, Nika Kouassi, Shradha Mamilla, and Sarah Mohammed.

“HOSA is a medical-related competition in which students are able to pick events that interest them, such as medical terminology or nursing assistance. These events allow students to explore various medical-related topics. The ability to explore these topics allowed me to realize what part of the broad medical field interests me,” Mamilla said.

Mamilla’s passion for HOSA and its impact on her understanding of healthcare practices was evident as she described a memorable experience during the Ne- braska State Leadership Conference at Creighton University.

“There were various activities present for students who aspire to go into medicine. For example, many medical professionals came in and talked to us about their jobs. I particularly liked the session on delivering healthcare in the community. I was inspired by the various programs offered to make the world around us better through healthcare, Mamilla said.

HOSA was founded on the principles of leadership, scholarship and service. It provides a supportive community where students can thrive academically and personally. HOSA aims to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals by offering a wide range of opportunities for students to learn and grow.

In HOSA, mentorship is an important component, providing students with guidance and encouragement. Science teacher Mr. Matt Winterboer, the HOSA adviser at Marian, mentors the HOSA students in their pursuits.

“The idea of starting a HOSA chapter at Marian has been bubbling up for a few years now, but it wasn’t until this school year that we officially registered with the state and national organizations.”

The motivation to establish a chapter was completely student-driven. Initial interest was started by Bailey Sommer ’23 and was spearheaded by Shradha Mamilla this year. I believe the students came to me be- cause of my position as moderator of the Young Medicine Club,” Winterboer said.

For many students, HOSA jumpstarts their future careers in healthcare. The HOSA students may aspire to become doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or medical researchers. The experiences and skills gained through HOSA can pave the way for their success.

Reflecting on the future of the HOSA chapter at Marian, Winterboer expressed optimism.

“This is the first school year Marian has officially registered a HOSA chapter. With a better understanding of what a HOSA chapter does and looks like, we hope to start next year off on the right foot and do all the things a well-established chapter would do,” Winterboer said.

Organizations like HOSA are extremely important in preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders. By providing students with opportunities for learning, growth, and mentorship, HOSA not only shapes the future of healthcare but also empowers young students to reach their full potential and make a difference in the world.