Team raising money for international event in Orlando
By Heather Ruenz
Editor
HOSA Future Health Professionals is an extra curricular for students interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. The local chapter at Elkhorn Area High School currently boasts 68 students and teacher Stephanie Steinke serves as the advisor for the group.
Formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America, HOSA recognizes the importance of providing students with training beyond health specific technical skills required for entry into healthcare, Steinke said.
HOSA plays a unique role in preparing students for higher education and entry level certification – EMT, pharmacy tech, CNA, and so on. The rapidly changing healthcare system needs dedicated workers who are people-oriented and capable of playing a leader or follower role as a member of a healthcare team, according to its website.
HOSA is a student-led organization of future health professionals that provides opportunities for students to develop, practice, and refine their technical, leadership, and teamwork skills to achieve a seamless transition from education to a career.
The organization’s competitive events program, aligned with the National Healthcare Foundation Standards, helps students graduate and be career and college ready.
Event categories are offered include: Health Science, Health Professions, Emergency Preparedness, Leadership, Teamwork and Recognition, according to the state HOSA website.
The following Elkhorn Area High School students were recognized for their skills at the HOSA State Leadership Conference. First through third place finishers qualify for the HOSA International Leadership Conference, which will be held June in Orlando:
- Health Career Photography, fifth place – Rachel Gottschalk;
- Public Health, first place – team of Katie Hickey, Julia Los and Josie Longhorn;
- Physical Therapy, first place – Kamie Rhyan, second place – Summer Prom;
- Medical Terminology, third place – Logan Radlein;
- Medical Reading, fifth place – Kendall Birbaum;
- Pharmacology, fourth place – Erika Martinez;
- Medical Law and Ethics, first place – Sarah Rychlak;
- Job Seeking Skills, fourth place – Carleigh Ramos;
- Healthy Lifestyle, second place – Alex Trombley, fourth place – Maggie Vos;
- Health Education, second place – team of Alyssa Sands and Maggie Vos
- HOSA Bowl, first place – team of Caroline Terry, Summer Prom, Carleigh Ramos and Cammi Jacobson, third place – team of Sarah Rychlak, Logan Radlein, Allison Schopf and Elizabeth Gottschalk;
- Forensic Medicine, second place – team of Lydia Chechowitz and Taylor Ellsworth;
- Epidemiology, second place – Chace Lanser;
- Creative Problem Solving, third place – team of Allison Schopf, Elizabeth Gottschalk, Sarah Franz and Julia Pulokas;
- Biomedical Laboratory Science, fifth place – Alyssa Sands;
- HOSA Chapter Reflection – Katie Hickey
Elkhorn Area High School’s HOSA chapter tied with Madison Memorial for the most first through fifth place finishers out of 66 schools at the State Leadership Conference. Elkhorn and Memorial each had 18 teams or individuals finish in the top five; Oak Creek was the next highest with 11.
Support the team
The HOSA International Leadership Conference will be held in Orlando June 21 through 24. The Elkhorn Area High School chapter has numerous students that qualified for the event with first through third place finishes at the state level competition.
The team is currently raising funds for the trip and will be hosting a Brat Hut at Frank’s Piggly Wiggly, in Elkhorn, on Sunday, May 28.
Additionally, the group is seeking sponsors – individuals, families and businesses – for t-shirts for the international event. A donation of $100 or more will get the donor’s name on the back of the shirt.
For more information or to help out, stop by the Brat Hut May 28 or contact Stephanie Steinke at Elkhorn Area High School at (262) 723-4920 ext. 1678.
