Chelsea Head and Sarah Reed placed first at the National Health Occupations of America (HOSA) Contest held recently in Orlando, FL. Reed and Head are both students in the Practical Nursing program at Northwest Technology Center in Alva. The duo competed in the Medical Innovations-Original event. Another Practical Nursing student, Katy Tanio finished third in the Clinical Nursing event.
Six other NWTC Practical Nursing students were also among the competitors at the national event and finished in the Top 10 in their respective events. Jesus Arizmendi and Jentrey Lancaster placed fifth in the Health Career Display event. Christopher Hill, Jennifer Red Hat and Rustin Murrow placed seventh in the Public Service Announcement Team event. Red Hat also placed seventh in Health Career Photography and Carla Smart placed fifth in Phamacology. Each of the students placing in the Top 10 had an opportunity to appear on stage during the awards presentation. Tara Thomas is the Director of the Practical Nursing program at NWTC. She traveled with the students to Orlando.
These students were also accompanied by ten students who are enrolled in NWTC’s Health Careers program and their instructor, Brooke Meyer. They included: Rachel Becker, Riley Beeler, Karlee Dietz, Crissa Edstrom, Jennifer Edwards, Brooklynn Faison, Calissa Fouts, Rochelle Galindo,Trishia Rodgers and Maira Zuniga. Erin Cusack, a Fairview BioMedical Sciences student who participated in the Medical Ethics event and her instructor, Shawn Cusack also attended the conference.
Each student who was eligible to compete in an event at this HOSA Conference placed first, second or third in their respective contest on the state level held earlier this spring. HOSA is a CareerTech student organization which helps its members prepare for careers in the healthcare industry including leadership and professional development skills.
Enrollment is now underway for the Health Careers program which begins in August and is open to both high school and adult students who are interested in a career in healthcare. The application process is now underway for the Practical Nursing program which begins in October. Interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as class size is limited and applications will be closed once suitable applicants are found or at the latest October 2. More information is available via the school’s website at www.nwtech.edu.