David Agaton walks into the Biomedical Science room and is introduced to a new program called HOSA. As he works on his assignment, Biomedical Science Teacher Leah Pelletier asks him if he would like to join the program.
HOSA, or Health Occupation Students of America, was made to bring the community together for students who are interested in the healthcare field. They then do things based on a common interest. Finding that common interest with other students in our school helps benefit them because they get volunteer hours throughout this program.
“So whether it be community service and volunteering,” Pelletier says, “then there’s also a state competition of different types of Biomedical Science related competitive events that students can also go to.”
During Pelletier’s time at high school, she also was involved with HOSA.
“HOSA has changed a little bit,” said Pelletier, “but from what I can tell, it still has the state competitions but there’s many different areas now than what it was back when I was in high school.”
To give the students a somewhat real experience, they invite professionals to give speeches and help with work which is extremely beneficial to students in HOSA. Students also get to assist the healthcare professionals.
“We’re also,” continues Pelletier, “going to work with different healthcare professionals that come in and do guest speaking and work with them to be able to get more opportunities like setting up different scenarios on their own.”
Like having real world experience, HOSA is also inspiring many others to keep pursuing something in the medical field.
“There are many career opportunities,” MCHS student David Agaton said, “preparations, networking with a ton of healthcare professionals and many connections being made with biomed students.”
With HOSA making a comeback this year, it’s also making an improvement with students and is getting them ready for after high school life.
“Because this is our first year of having this, we’re just organizing a lot of things,” Agaton says. “There are so many great ideas and during the first full week of November we’re gonna have National HOSA Week.”
MCHS student Olivia Martinello feels more connected to the biomed program as a whole, now that her classes correspond with the club.
“I feel,” says Martinello, “as if HOSA brings more attention to the biomed program and provides an outlet for aspiring medical field workers.”
One of HOSA’s main goals is to help find a way to bring the community together for people wanting to go into the medical field.
Martinello said, “It really shows the medical community what MCHS has created through the biomed classes.”
Walking out of the HOSA meeting, David realizes how much HOSA will benefit him in and out of school. Hoping to be successful, he is going to work hard and stay organized to earn his white coat.