HOSA Chapter Helps in Hurricane Katrina Project

Submitted By: Lynette Donnelly, BSD Health Careers Program

Oregon’s BSD Health Careers Program HOSA chapter raised $408.07 in their Hurricane Katrina fundraiser to help those in need!

Ravenwood High School’s HOSA chapter from Brentwood, Tennessee participated in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk on October 29, 2005 at Centennial Park in Nashville. It was a great

opportunity and the team had a fantastic time. The team, enthusiastic throughout the day, was honored with the spirit award!

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Bottom (from left): Christie Stevens, Jenna Bush, Jaime Bradbury, Adrienne Mayo, Katlyn YarboroughTop (from left): Paula Dunn, Tim Dunn, Amanda Smith,

Lisa Smith, Ivy Carden, Ashley Harden, Julie Bogle, Michelle Smith, Lindsay Coppock, Kevin Crawford

HOSA Chapters Participate in the National Service Project

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HOSA - Playing To WINKY HOSA Leadership 2005

Submitted by: Kentucky HOSA

The theme selected for the 2005 Kentucky Leadership Conference, HOSA – Playing To WIN, gave the state officers an opportunity to combine fun and learning.

The conference began with a new event, the HOSA Statesman Award. Local officers had the op-tion to take the exam during registration or during the social activity on Tuesday night. Packets of material and a study guide were available to prepare for the exam. The HOSA Statesman event tested HOSA knowledge as well as Parliamentary Procedure and leadership skills. Only three officers received this prestigious award:Jason Bridgeman and Juan Carlos Cordova from Russell County HOSA, and Claudia Brock from Rockcastle County HOSA.

To increase participation in Competitive Events, each state officer selected an event to conduct. Competitors were selected along with courtesy corps members, time keepers, and judges. Ken-tucky’s State President selected Extemporaneous Speaking, the Vice President chose Prepared Speaking, the Secretary picked Extemporaneous Writing, the Treasurer selected Medical Math, the Historian chose Outstanding HOSA Chapter, and the Parliamentarian selected Parliamentary Procedure. In each event, the rules were modified slightly to meet the time restrictions.

Tuesday morning began with Officer Training where the presenters for the sessions were profes-sionals selected by Ms. Elizabeth Bullock, Kentucky HOSA State Advisor. Skills USA local officers joined HOSA officers for this training. After the training sessions, HOSA state officers tested the local officer’s knowledge with a game show theme. The Parliamentarians played Jeopardy, with Michael Chambers, KY HOSA Parliamentarian as host. The Treasurers played $10,000 Pyramid hosted by Savannah Smith, KY HOSA Treasurer. The Secretaries played Jeopardy hosted by Binh Tran, KY HOSA Secretary. The Vice Presidents played Family Feud hosted by Eddie Wells, KY HOSA Vice President.

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Duncanville HOSA is proud to have presented the American Red Cross with $4,147 to be added to the Hurricane Relief Fund. The DHS HOSA chapter worked together with DHS Student Council, Cosmetology, Media Tech, Graphic Arts, and Culinary Arts as well as several companies in the area such as David’s Bridal, One of a Kind Formals, Mr. Tuxedo, Custom Furs, Special Occasions by Vicki, Krispy Kreme, Pizza Hut, CiCi’s Pizza, Mr. Jim’s Pizza, Williams Chicken, Churches Chicken, Wal-Mart, and Kroger’s to put on a successful fashion show. There were a variety of different categories in the fashion show including casual wear, formals, sportswear, quinceañera, and furs for the teachers and students to model. Over 90 students and 15 teachers from Duncanville High School participated in the fashion show, and everyone had a wonderful time, especially knowing their efforts to raise money were for a great cause. Duncanville High School is always happy to help benefit the American Red Cross in any and all ways possible.

Duncanville HOSA

ColdIt’s Cold OutsideSubmitted By: T.C. Williams High School HOSA Chapter

We were excited when the members from our Licensed Practical Nursing class were inducted into HOSA. The LPN program has been going strong at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA for quite a while. After the induction ceremony, we were just as

excited to start our new project that would benefit the community.

We had the chance to hear what other members in our district were doing in their chapters at the Fall Leadership Academy and made the decision that we needed to start a project. Many of our members had different thoughts on the project that we should do. Ideas ranged from bake sales and candy sales to food drives. However, one idea outshined the rest. Our members came up with the idea to have a winter coat drive. We assumed the winter was going to be harsh since the summer was so hot. Even the last few days of summer were chilly, indicating that we may have been right.

The winter coat drive was a good idea, but getting to work on it was a task for our chapter. We made posters to advertise our coat drive and one of our members, Britney, made the announcements every morning over the school’s PA system. Our efforts were successful! The boxes were overflowing with coats when we went to retrieve them from the main office. Adult members of our HOSA group volunteered to drop off the coats at the Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, VA. Unfortunately, the shelter could not take all of the coats we had collected, and we are currently trying to find another shelter that is in need of the remaining coats.

The coat drive will not be our last project. We had fun during this first mission, and we are enthusiastic to start another one!

Duncanville High School HOSA

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Kentucky Chapter Participates in National HOSA Week

November 7-11, 2005

National HOSA week encourages students to become contributing members of their communities through activities conducted during this week.

Russell County HOSA, of Russell Springs Kentucky, began the week’s activity with a Job Interview Contest for senior members; this was followed by a Teddy Bear Clinic and to end the week an Appreciation Reception for Fair Oaks Health Systems and a Treasure Chest of Activities for the Activity Department at Fair Oaks.

Teddy Bear Clinic

Russell County HOSA members conducted a Teddy Bear Clinic Thursday, November 10, 2005 for the first grade girls at Jamestown Elementary School. This activity gave HOSA members an opportunity to demonstrate many health careers to the young girls. HOSA members wore the uniform of their chosen career and got an opportunity to play the part of a health professional.

The first graders brought their teddy bears and other stuffed animals to the clinic for “treatment” of various ailments. Some of the animals received first aid before arriving at the clinic, which was administered by EMT Lynsey Knight. Russell County HOSA Advisor, Ms. Dennison, RN, acted as the triage nurse and, after assessing the problem, directed each young lady and her teddy bear to the proper department.

Most teddy bears were directed to the ER, where they were treated by Dr. Juan Carlos Cordova and Dr. Jordan McLean. Assisting the procedures were nurses Latonya Bell and Christina Shirley. Many teddy bear patients needed lab work, so Suzanne Grider, Lab Technician, was called to draw blood. Broken bones were X-rayed by Radiographer Ashley Hadley. After X-ray, the patient was treated by the orthopedic doctor, Brad Withers, and his assistant nurse Anthony Keith. After the casts were applied, patients were sent to Physical Therapist Calvin Kerr to learn what rehabilitation would be required to recover from the injury.

In addition to the broken bones, there were several lacerations and Surgeon Mat Luttrell and Operating Room Nurse Rebecca Clark were kept busy sewing up the wounds. Before leaving the clinic, all patients went to the Pharmacy where Pharmacist Jason Bridgeman filled their prescriptions.

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HOSA members worked together, learned more about their chosen career, and were able to improve communication skills. The first graders learned about health careers in a hands-on situation. They received coloring books focusing on the health professions they had seen in the clinic and doctor kits they could use to care for their stuffed animal. We hope this activity will spark an interest in health careers and that many of the first graders will decide to become a health care provider because they came to the Teddy Bear Clinic.

Job Interview Contest

Wednesday, November 9, 2005, Russell County HOSA seniors participated in mock interviews conducted by Pauline Davenport, Director of Special Projects and Marketing for the Westlake Regional Health Team. After filling out applications and submitting a cover letter and resume, the students interviewed for nurse aide, pharmacy aide and physical therapy aide positions. Ms. Davenport asked the same questions as if they were applying for a real position. Ms. Davenport is greatly appreciated for her support of the HOSA organization. This exercise helped the students to learn more about their chosen career as they prepared for this event. It also helped them prepare for when the time comes that they apply for the REAL job. Thanks so much, Ms. Davenport.

Fair Oaks Health Systems Honored at Appreciation Reception

As a part of National HOSA week, chapters are encouraged to conduct an event to show appreciation to the health care community. Because the Fair Oaks Health Systems is such a vital part of our program, we chose to recognize the staff and administration of Fair Oaks. They are extremely supportive in helping us meet the goals of HOSA. Through clinical and volunteer experience HOSA members are able to make realistic career choices. Fair Oaks also provides employment for many HOSA members.

On Friday, November 11, 2005, HOSA members, Advisor Pat Dennison, and Alumni member Sonya Whitis, served cake, cookies, fruit, nuts, mints, and punch to the staff at Fair Oaks. President Calvin Kerr gave a short speech of thanks for everything that Fair Oaks staff and administration

does to help the HOSA members become successful health professionals. Mr. Greg Faulkner and Mr. Chris Minnich accepted the Award of Partnership plaque presented by President Kerr on behalf of the Russell County HOSA chapter.

Treasure Chest of Activities The community service project chosen for National HOSA Week was a Treasure Chest of Activities for the Activity Department at Fair Oaks. HOSA President, Calvin Kerr, coordinated the project. For the past three years Calvin has volunteered at Fair Oaks. He conducts an exercise program with a group of residents, so he was very familiar with the needs of the Activity Department. Ms. Dennison donated the chest and HOSA members filled it with cards, puzzle books, checkers and chess games, balls of all shapes and sizes, as well as puzzles and darts. Calvin and Juan Cordova, who joined the volunteer program last year, should have a lot of activities to keep the group busy this year.

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Cardinal Dougherty High SchoolAttends HOSA Conference

Congratulations were in order at the first meeting of the Cardinal Dougherty Chapter of HOSA. Jeanne Ho, president, displayed the gold medal that she won at HOSA’s National Leadership Conference last summer in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Nearly 4,000 HOSA members competed in 49 health-related categories. Jeanne was the only secondary school student from the Pennsylvania delegation to win a first place medal. Jeanne competed in Research Persuasive Speaking, the topic: Gastric Bypass Surgery.

Along with the competitive awards, recognition awards were also presented at the National Leadership Conference. Sarah Murray was the only Pennsylvanian to receive the Barbara James Service Award. For the past three years, Sarah has volunteered over 400 hours at Jeanes Hospital. The Cardinal Dougherty Chapter also received a National Service Project Award for its work with the Delaware Valley Alzheimer’s Association.

Jeanne described the National Leadership Conference in five words: memorable, competitive, fun, exciting and unifying. She stated how proud she was to bring the gold medal to Cardinal Dougherty.

North Montco Technical Career Center health occupations students recently selected their HOSA officers for the 2005-06 school year. Pictured, from left are: Lauren Stranges, vice president; Kimberly Haas, president; Aretha Walker, reporter; Tara Jones, parliamentarian; Samantha Ryer, treasurer; Tiffany Dowlatow, secretary; and Samantha Reddick, historian.

Community ServiceSubmitted by Meghan Homa

As the 2005 year came to an end, many chapters across the country celebrated the holidays by helping those in need. Chapters adopted families for those who are less fortunate. Some went caroling, others played board games with the elderly as well as participated in craft activities, and many spent time with one another. Thanks to all HOSA members who participated in bringing joy to their community during holiday season.

Successful chapters participate in community service projects. Chapters may want to think about having a specific day to participate in their community activities. For example, your chapter members may want to pick a day of the week or month that they will be involved in a community event. Example of community projects might include:

• Taking an hour a week to go to one of the local nursing home to spend time with the elderly. This activity will not just brighten their day but yours as well. • Going to the local children’s hospital to visit brings joy to young hearts knowing that they are thought of also.

There are many great ideas to help your community. During 2006, make the best of your ideas and time within your community.

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Montana Rocks!By Eric Myers

Secondary Board Representative

This month, I had the opportunity to visit some fantastic HOSA members in the state of Montana. While there, I was able to work with a group of very talented officers and members from all across one of America’s largest

states. Coming from Kansas, the climate change was interesting, although they were having a heat wave: it was 15 degrees!

While at the fall leadership conference, I was asked to present to the students on the basics of HOSA, leadership building, and finally public representation and marketing skills in reference to HOSA. From icebreakers, to learning about how exactly a new state like Montana should market HOSA to their greatest advantage, this group was absolutely amazing. After discovering exactly how great it is that HOSA isn’t a choral group, we learned how to present a PowerPoint, group roles and teamwork, general HOSA information, and then as a group formulated a letter for each chapter to take home to raise public awareness in their own communities. This conference, due to a blizzard the week before, was attended by a smaller, but extremely motivated group, and each of these students had the goal of contributing and learning something new in reference to their skills as a leader in, member of, and officer through HOSA.

Charlotte Davis of American Careers made a presentation to advisors and helped them to better understand the American Careers curriculum. Angela Collins, the Montana state advisor, and her state officer team showed me some of the unique and entertaining projects they have in store for this year especially their Pirate themed state conference. Best wishes for a great year for Montana HOSA.

Warm Up America!Heritage HOSA Chapter Project

The Reading-Muhlenberg Area Vocational Technical School Heritage HOSA Chapter and their advisor Mrs. Linda Seidel have been using their knitting skills to help others stay warm this winter. Soft scarves in beautiful textures and colors have been knitted for the local Salvation Army Chapter. Over the past few years, the students collected scarves, hats and mittens for the Salvation Army to share with local children. However, this year the students decided to take the project a step further and have learned to knit the scarves and hats.

A retired advisor Linda Eiceman, a school paraprofessional Andrea Moore and Pennsylvania State Advisor Petrona Pearson have been spending time with the students as well, to teach them new stitches and patterns and encourage them with their projects. Each day, the students are very eager to complete their lessons so they may work on the knitted projects, and they have found this time spent working together to be a wonderful stress-reliever as well.

Mentoring the students has been very rewarding for the adult volunteers, and the students are looking forward to moving on to their next project over the winter months. They will be knitting rectangles for the Warm Up America Project, and these pieces will be pieced into lap covers and afghans. The knitted covers will be distributed to people in need such as those in women’s shelters, AIDS Hospices and Hurricane Katrina Victims. The members of the chapter say they have found a skill they hope to continue to use to share with others for many years to come. They truly have used the “Hands of HOSA” to warm the hearts of others this winter.