What is HOSA?
HOSA is an international organization for future health professionals. Formerly known as the Health Occupation Students of America, HOSA encourages its members to explore the medical field through service, professional development, and collaboration.
Purpose and Mission
The purpose of HOSA-Future Health Professionals is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.
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​The mission of HOSA is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience.
Core HOSA Values
Learning: We are committed to learning and becoming respected, knowledgeable and skilled health professionals. We will respect the experiences and contributions of our teachers, peers and patients and seek to learn from them.
Leadership: We will serve as role models in our academic program, profession and community. We will be ethical, accountable and trustworthy. We will use our influence to empower others to strive for excellence.
Service: We are dedicated to serving others with compassion. We believe that individuals are important, and we will treat everyone with respect and care.
Innovation: We are dedicated to enriching the lives of others. We will continuously seek the knowledge and skills to address challenges and improve the health professions.
About Arkansas HOSA
HOSA was conceived by six charter states (AL, NJ, NM, NC, OK, TX) at the organizing meeting in Cherry Hill, NJ in November 1975. HOSA was officially organized at a Constitutional Convention held in Arlington, TX in 1976. Attendees at the convention included state supervisors, state advisors, teachers and over 300 student leaders. The organization was focused on limited supportive nursing, dental, medical and related programs in health careers approved by a State Department of Education.
HOSA has grown steadily reaching over 245,000 members through 54 chartered HOSA Associations, American Samoa, Canada, District of Columbia, Germany, Italy, and Puerto Rico.
Arkansas HOSA began in 1984 and had almost 2,000 members in 2022.
