HIGH-STEP (HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP)

HOSA—A Health Science & Technology Student Organization

In Fall of 2006, students in the Greater Mankato Area were invited to take part in a unique Health Science student organization. Students from the SCSC High-STEP program (Health Science Technology Education Partnership), including Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial, Mankato East, Mankato West and Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton high schools, joined the HOSA family.

HOSA is a national student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education Division of ACTE. HOSA’s two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA’s goal is to encourage all health occupations instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSTE-HOSA Partnership. Their national theme for 2006-07 is: “HOSA: Healing with Our Hands, Helping with Our Hearts”

HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in HSTE programs. HOSA is 100% health care!

The Greater Mankato Area HOSA chapter has done many exciting things since is start just a few months ago. One of the first projects the students initiated was decorating a local long term care facility for the New Year. HOSA students also spent an evening decorating the windows of Taco John’s restaurant in North Mankato for Valentine’s Day.

Currently, students are working on a campaign to bring awareness and funding for Autism research. “Autism Speaks” has been adopted for 2006–2008 as HOSA’s National Service Project—watch for the blue puzzle piece campaign in area businesses in April.

HOSA students can compete against other chapters at Regional, State and National Conferences. Examples of the over 50 competitive events are: Medical Terminology, Medical Photography, Health Career Display, CPR/First Aid, Biomedical Debate, and Creative Problem Solving.

Minnesota’s State Leadership Conference will be held April 17–19, 2007 in St. Cloud. Students who are successful at the competition will be able to go on to the National Conference in Orlando, Florida in June. The students from the Greater Mankato HOSA chapter are planning to compete at the state conference.

For more information about HOSA visit: www.hosa.org or contact: State HOSA Advisor: Candy Rice Leopold - cmleopold@minnesotahosa.org, 952.995.1510 or Greater Mankato Area HOSA Advisor: Wendy C. Foley, wfoley@rice.willmar.mn.us, 320.231.4376.