Throughout the course of the year, members of Brookfield Central’s Future Health Professionals (HOSA) branch have worked diligently honing their skills and engaging in interests across various healthcare disciplines. In particular, students were granted the opportunity to compete at the Region Level Competition earlier this year, with 53 BC HOSA members advancing to the state level — proudly representing BC as the third largest chapter in the state. Hosted at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, HOSA’s State Leadership Conference (SLC) was a great opportunity for HOSA members across the state to connect, learn more about and network within the healthcare field, and be able to apply the skills they have obtained over the past year.
That is not to say that SLC has been completely smooth sailing. On Sunday, April 14th, BC HOSA faced some slight transportation delays. Set to leave at 9AM, buses did not arrive until well after 11. Despite some initial frustration and numerous calls to bus companies, BC HOSA members were resilient and optimistic, despite a rocky start to the three day excursion.
Around 2PM, HOSA members arrived at Chula Vista, and after heaving luggage from the buses, members were greeted with an opening ceremony. Inside the convention center were hundreds of other HOSA members across the state, all equally enthusiastic about HOSA’s mission. SLC’s opening ceremony was a great look into an exciting weekend ahead!
After the Opening Ceremony, members were free to explore the facility, with about twenty individuals competing in their events. Such events included a wide assortment of events–from demonstrations of medical skills to prepared communication to tests regarding a particular healthcare area. Another notable area of competition was National Geographic’s administered Academic Testing Center (ATC) exams, where HOSA members were able to test their knowledge across various sciences, from biology to physics to healthcare leadership. The Healthcare Issues exam was a separate exam measuring HOSA members’ knowledge of healthcare at a global level. Brookfield Central had five students place in the top 25% of all competitors, qualifying them for testing at the international levels.
Competitors also enjoyed a variety of breakout sessions, including healthcare career paths, VR neurology, leadership seminars, and organ exploration. Members also reaped the benefits of the HOSA Expo, where close to a hundred healthcare professionals set up booths, allowing attendees to directly interact with expertsーan opportunity like no other.
That is not to say that SLC was all work and no play. Notable free-time activities included an interactive anatomy tournament Anatomage, access to the Chula Vista waterpark, and participation in the iconic HOSA dance. Overall, BC HOSA attendees agreed that SLC was a memorable and fulfilling experience, and would love to attend again in the future, this time at the Kalahari Resort.
The hard work of BC’s HOSA chapter did not go unnoticed. Of the 800+ competitors, BC showed out with 28 finalistsー19 of them placing top three in their events, qualifying them for the International Leadership Conference hosted this June in Houston, Texas. Those heading to Houston this summer can look forward to the luxury of the George R. Brown Convention Center, internationally recognized guest speakers, interactive anatomy tables, VR, and Six Flags’ Hurricane Harbor. Brookfield Central’s chapter has yet to claim International hardware, but the current group is sure to bring their best and represent BC proudly.
