Health Occupations Students of America, also known as HOSA, is an organization created to inspire and motivate students across the country to learn about the medical world and its vast topics. Schools across the Red River in Area 5 all came to Azle High School on Oct. 14 for the fall leadership conference.

“HOSA provides an insight for students on the many and vast avenues of medical careers,” HOSA Adviser Tiffany Shaw said. “It’s not just a doctor or nurse but Child Life specialists, EMTs and Clinical Laboratory Specialists.“

The leadership conference is a large event where students get to attend sessions where they learn about different occupations from EMTs to Home Health. The wide variety of options gives students the opportunity to decide what they want to learn for their future.

“I joined HOSA because it helps me become more prepared for the future because I want to go into the medical field.“ Senior and HOSA president Elle Coleman said.

The remaining conferences are the spring and state conferences this year. The Spring Conference is from March 3-4 and the State Conference is March 27-30 where students use the knowledge they acquired from the Fall and Spring conferences to compete in online tests.

“The traveling opportunities that we offer our CTE- Health Science students (not just the HOSA members) are a great way for them to expand their knowledge about the healthcare delivery systems around the world,” HOSA Adviser Jimmy Rider said.

The online testing spans many topics from Health Science and Health Professions to Emergency Preparedness. The online testing spans from Nov. 28 to 30.

“I joined HOSA because I’m studying to be a nurse and I wanted to be surrounded by like-minded people when it came to health care.” Senior and HOSA Officer Taylor Babin said.

HOSA has a decades-long history of allowing students to pursue a career in the medical world and a commitment to being an instructional tool for students. HOSA further purpose to pursue and understand the importance of teaching students far more than basic technical skills in a constantly changing field like the medical field.

In 2025, all students interested in exploring the world of medicine or have genuine curiosity about European culture and history can sign up for international trips to Italy and Greece.

“The trips are specifically tailored to students who are interested in becoming a healthcare provider, but also provide an opportunity to bring historical events to life that they have learned about in other classes,” Rider said. “This summer we have 21 travelers who will be touring Scotland, London and Paris on a forensics-themed tour, and students can still sign up for that trip until mid-spring.”

HOSA as an organization is here to help all students pursue and learn any amount of medical life they would like. From pursuing the giant and almost endless opportunities of medical research to active care of patients and much more.