At the start of the 2015-16 school year, the Stevens Point Area Senior High School introduced the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Future Health Professionals program, a new career and technical student organization, option for the student body.

Eighteen members of the Stevens Point Area HOSA recently attended the 2016 Wisconsin State HOSA Leadership Conference in Wisconsin Dells April 10-12. This year’s leadership conference, “Make Your Mark,” focused on inspiring HOSA members to work hard at the present and in the future to make their mark on health care.

The conference also included sessions on health career awareness, health science skills training and college readiness. In addition, the students also participated in a Night Light Walk to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The HOSA State Level Competitive Events were also held during the conference. Ten members from the Stevens Point Area HOSA participated in their designated event.

Participants included Shelby Wagner, medical terminology testing; Jenna Menadue, nutrition testing; Brandon Shulfer, pharmacology testing; Alli Richter, behavioral health testing, Aly Walters, medical terminology testing; Jaide Barber, medical reading testing; Kieran Tetzloff, pharmacology testing; Abigail Doxrude, extemporaneous health poster; Shelby Wagner, job seeking skills; and Aly Walters, Laura Canapa and Lacie Ligman, community awareness team event.

Five of the Stevens Point members placed in the top three and will advance to national competition. Jenna Menadue and Shelby Wagner placed third and Aly Walters, Laura Canapa and Lacie Ligman placed first.

The 2016 National HOSA Leadership Conference will be held June 22-25 in in Nashville, Tenn.