HOSA – Future Health Professionals, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), is an international career and technical student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education Division of ACTE. HOSA is composed of middle school, secondary, and post-secondary/collegiate students, along with professionals, alumni, and honorary members. It is headquartered in Southlake, Texas, and is the largest student organization that prepares students to enter healthcare and similar fields, with membership in the United States, U.S. Territories, Canada, China, South Korea, and Mexico.

History

HOSA was founded in 1976 out of a task force from the American Vocational Association in order to determine whether a new student organization accommodating healthcare students was necessary.

From November 4–7, 1975, the State Department of Education and Division of Vocational Education in New Jersey with 18 representatives from Alabama, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas voted to form the American Health Occupations Education Student Organization.

On November 10–13, 1976, in a constitutional convention held at the Inn of the Six Flags in Arlington, Texas AHOESO adopted bylaws, which also changed the organization's name to Health Occupations Students of America; elected national leaders; selected colors and a motto; made plans to design an emblem; and set the first National Leadership Conference for the spring of 1978 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

In 2004, the organization dropped the acronym from its name, and began publishing all documents under the brand "HOSA – Future Health Professionals."Lauver, Lori S., et al. "Kids Into Health Careers: A Rural Initiative." The Journal of Rural Health 27.1 (2011): 114–121.

Chartered Associations , HOSA has grown to more than 55 chartered associations in several countries, including the United States and its territories, Canada, China, South Korea, and Türkiye. HOSA's chartered associations are:

Mission Statement

The mission of HOSA is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience.

Uniform

The official HOSA uniform consists of a navy-blue suit with maroon accent in the form of a tie for men or a bowtie for women. The HOSA emblem is affixed to the suit jacket.HOSA Handbook Section A

International Leadership Conferences (ILCs)

Members meet annually at an International Leadership Conference (formerly known as the National Leadership Conference (NLC) until 2016), held in late June in cities across the United States. Selected major cities for hosting the conference rotate every few years. Over 7,500 students participate in general sessions, competitive events, and leadership experiences, all while networking with health sciences students representing nearly all 50 states and countries including Canada, China, and Mexico.

+Previous and scheduled upcoming ILCsYearDatesConvention centerCity1978April 27-30Lincoln Plaza InnOklahoma City, Oklahoma1979June 26-July 1—Cherry Hill, New Jersey 1980July 8-12—Asheville, North Carolina1981June 25-28—Albuquerque, New Mexico1982June 24-26—Chicago, Illinois1983——San Antonio, Texas1984June 27-30—Orlando, Florida1985——Nashville, Tennessee1986July 4-6—Philadelphia, Pennsylvania1987June 24-27—Dallas, Texas1988June 15-18—Atlanta, Georgia 1989June 21-24Salt Palace Convention CenterSalt Lake City, Utah1990June 20-23—Orlando, Florida1991June 26-30—Washington, D.C.1992June 17-20—Anaheim, California1993June 16-20Opryland HotelNashville, Tennessee1994June 22-25Opryland HotelNashville, Tennessee1995June 14-17—Louisville, Kentucky1996June 26-29—Chicago, Illinois1997June 18-21—Anaheim, California1998June 24-27Disney Coronado Springs ResortOrlando, Florida1999June 23-26Opryland HotelNashville, Tennessee2000June 18-22—Cleveland, Ohio2001June 12-15—Atlanta, Georgia 2002June 26–29Anaheim Hilton and MarriottAnaheim, California2003June 18–21Atlanta Marriott, Hyatt, and HiltonAtlanta, Georgia2004June 23-26Marriott World CenterOrlando, Florida2005June 22-25Gaylord Opryland HotelNashville, Tennessee2006June 21-24Anaheim Hilton and MarriottAnaheim, California2007June 20-23Marriott World CenterOrlando, Florida2008June 18-21Adam’s Mark HotelDallas, Texas2009June 24-27Gaylord Opryland HotelNashville, Tennessee2010June 23-26Disney's Coronado Springs ResortOrlando, Florida2011June 22-25Hilton AnaheimAnaheim, California2012June 20-23Disney's Coronado Springs ResortOrlando, Florida2013June 26-30Gaylord Opryland HotelNashville, Tennessee2014June 25-28Disney's Coronado Springs ResortOrlando, Florida2015June 24-27Hilton AnaheimAnaheim, California2016June 22-25Gaylord Opryland HotelNashville, Tennessee2017June 21-24Disney's Coronado Springs ResortOrlando, Florida2018June 27-30Dallas Convention CenterDallas, Texas2019June 19-22Disney's Coronado Springs ResortOrlando, Florida2020June 24-27Virtual ILCDallas, Texas (Virtual)2021June 23-26Virtual ILCOrlando, Florida (Virtual)2022June 22-25Gaylord Hotel and Convention CenterNashville, Tennessee2023June 21-24Dallas Convention CenterDallas, Texas2024June 26-29George R. Brown Convention Center Houston, Texas 2025June 18-21Gaylord Hotel and Convention CenterNashville, Tennessee2026June 17-20Indianapolis Convention Center/ Lucas Oil StadiumIndianapolis, Indiana2027June 22-25Pennsylvania Convention CenterPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania2028June 28-July 1George R. Brown Convention CenterHouston, Texas2029June 26-30Orange County Convention CenterOrlando, Florida2030TBDTBDTBD2031June 25-June 28Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention CenterDallas, Texas2032June 21-June 26Orange County Convention CenterOrlando, Florida

Competitive Events

HOSA offers 82 competitive events, ranging from skill-based to leadership and team-based. The event groups are as follows: Health science, health professions, leadership, and recognition events. Members compete at the regional, state, and international levels. Those who place in the top three positions at the state level are given the opportunity to compete at the international level.

References

Bibliography

External links HOSA — national website