Members of Missouri HOSA-Future Health Professionals participated in the organization’s annual International Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas, from June 27-30. HOSA is a state and international organization for students interested in and preparing for health careers.

More than 260 Missouri students from 42 Missouri HOSA chapters participated in 47 competitive and five recognition events, resulting in 23 top-10 finishes and 33 individuals and chapters being recognized for their service and leadership.

Nine students placed in the top three of their respective competitions:

• Zoe Hancock, Bryan Liu and Sreya Mandava, Central High School, Springfield R-XII, second place, biomedical debate
• Bailey Bair and Megan Geiler, Four Rivers Career Center, Washington, second place, CPR/first aid
• Kathleen Meininger, Columbia Area Career Center, Columbia 93, third place, pathophysiology knowledge test
• Kayla Berry, Neha Bollam and Kelley Sinning, Marquette High School, Rockwood R-VI, third place, original medical innovation

A total of 23 individuals received recognition after completing at least 100 approved community service hours throughout the 2017-18 school year, highlighted by gold (250+ hours) status for both Juan Alega (Francis Howell North High School, Francis Howell R-III) and Sydney Armstrong (Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, St. Louis City).

Missouri HOSA was one of three states selected to receive the Outstanding HOSA Achievement award, designed to recognize chartered associations for their special achievements, projects, events and activities. Daryn Adler (Liberty High School, Wentzville R-IV), the 2017-18 Missouri HOSA state president, was named Missouri’s Outstanding Leader, while Michelle Lawrence (Kearney High School, Kearney R-I) was named Missouri’s Chapter Advisor of the Year.

Since 1976, HOSA has served 2.5 million students interested in pursuing careers in health. HOSA serves an industry that is projected to add five million jobs between 2012 and 2022.