Shifting across the suites and attractions of Kalahari Convention Center, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members competed at the Texas State Leadership Conference (SLC) from Tuesday, April 29 to Thursday, May 1. Competing and connecting with over 3,000 students across Texas, HOSA members made the conference theme, “Your World Electrified”, a reality.

A total of 29 students competed in various events focused on teamwork, leadership, and emergency preparedness. The top five competitors in each in-person event earned recognition, but only the top three advanced to the International Leadership Conference (ILC) at Nashville, Tenn. from June 18-21. Additionally, the top five competitors in each online testing event and the top 5% of those who took the Health Care Issues Exam secured a spot at the international level.

“This year’s conference at Kalahari was unlike any state conference I have ever attended during my three years at HOSA,” Historian Jiatong Gao ’26 said. “Not only did I make more friends, [but] I was really able to progress in my own event and understand the inner workings of the organization as an officer. I would say this was due to the fact that I put more effort into HOSA this year. The more you put into something and fully immerse yourself in it, the more you get out.”

While waiting for their designated event time slots, members enjoyed a variety of activities, from a sock fundraiser for the HOSA Service Project: National Marrow Donor Program to the National Anatomage Tournament. Various health profession vendors across Texas lined up, offering vital information and even merchandise to take home for members. 

“[In the Anatomage Tournament] we got to use this widespread TV system that was meant to project a real patient’s body into a machine,” Vice President Minsung Kim ‘25 said. “We did a little quiz activity where we got to identify different muscle groups, different bone structures and different nerve systems. It was cool because we got to see [in] really high resolution all these different functions in where they were actually in the body, in a real [decomposed] human body.”

The two Area 1 officer elects, Yoonjie Jung ‘26 and Gao, officially received their role as the Historian and Reporter respectively in the Texas HOSA Officer Leadership Academy (HOLA) held at the conference. The two officers participated in a three-day workshop amongst 32 HOSA Area officers, learning leadership and team building skills. The group will join back together at the Leadership Development Institute in August, receiving information and training for next academic year’s SLC. 

“I went into HOLA with no expectations or idea of what we would be doing for five hours a day, only that leadership had something to do with it,” Gao said. “However, the training and wisdom I received there has really been life changing. I not only feel more confident speaking to anyone, I found the true value in teamwork. Meeting such an incredible group of individuals just as passionate as I am really elevated the whole experience.” 

At the recognition session, members participating in recognition events and the National Geographic Learning testing were acknowledged and awarded. Additionally, former Area 1 officer and Secretary Olivia Jung ‘26 secured a $10,000 Theodora Y. Justice Memorial State Scholarship to attend Cornell University.

“I didn’t expect to receive such a large amount,” Jung said. “I’m very grateful for the scholarship and all the hard-working directors behind the scenes. HOSA has taught me so much, and I really hope to continue being a member at the post-secondary level later on.”

Through the conference, members were able to showcase their dedication for health science and receive recognition for their hard work. Featuring a keynote speech and breakout session by Chris Schueler, a 21-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and global advocate, SLC allowed students to gain invaluable insight on the importance of honesty.

“Given it was my last year, I think I gave it my all,” Kim said. “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved in the last four years and I think that it’s a fitting way to end my years in HOSA.”

The following students will be heading to the International Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tenn. from June 18-21:

Medical Innovation: Minsung Kim ‘25, Harry Liu ‘25, Kritanko Chakraborty ‘25 (2nd place)

Forensic Science: Alexis Hwang ‘26, Jiatong Gao ‘26 (1st place)

Dental Terminology: Haein Jung ‘27 (3rd place)

Medical Math: Amy Li ‘26 (1st place)

World Health & Disparities: Nihal Grandhi ‘28 (2nd place), Taehyun Kim ‘27 (1st place) 

Organizational Leadership: Miruthula Sivakumar ‘27

Health Care Issues Exam: Satchi Patki ‘26, Annie Zhu ‘26, Joan Amalraj ‘27, Kritanko Chakraborty ‘25