Every year, Niles North’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) makes its mark at the HOSA State Conference, where future healthcare leaders come together to showcase their skills, learn from one another, and win awards. This year, the HOSA State Conference will be held in Springfield, Illinois from March 17 to March 19.
The HOSA State Conference brings together hundreds of students across the state, all competing in various categories of events ranging from patient care technician, nursing, to medical terminology. For North students this conference is more than just a competition, it’s a chance to experience and learn about the world of the healthcare field.
“I’m really excited for the HOSA state competition,” junior Kulsum Siddiqui said. “I’ve been looking forward to it this whole month. I’m excited because I potentially want to go into the medical field, so I think medical terminology and medical innovation will help me a lot for the future.”
The event will feature a wide array of events, including team and individual competitions that test student’s knowledge and practical skills. Students will also compete in scenario-based events where they must apply critical thinking in real-time situations.
“What I’m doing to prepare for the skills is that I’m watching lots of videos and going over all the guidelines that are outlined on the HOSA website,” sophomore Annie Winer said. “I’m excited, a little stressed but I’m hoping to push myself and learn new things for a person who’s passionate in the healthcare field.”
Winer isn’t the only one putting in the work to prepare for the competition; junior Gabe Fajardo is also getting ready in his own way, drawing on support from his family to improve his skills.
“To prepare for HOSA, I’ve been practicing a lot of note cards, terms, and topics with my mom,” Fajardo said. “My mom’s a nurse so she’s really helped me prepare for the competition.”
As the HOSA State Conference approaches, students at North continue to prepare with determination and enthusiasm, eager to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience in the healthcare field. Whether through independent study or family support, these future healthcare leaders are ready to take on the challenges ahead and make their mark at the conference.
