HOSA-Future Health Professionals 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 career and technical student organization (CTSO) was focused on limited supportive nursing, dental, medical and related programs in health careers approved by a State Department of Education.

 

International HOSA is now comprised of 54 states, territories, and countries.

 

Arkansas HOSA became a Chartered Association of International HOSA in 1984.

 

The experiences students gain through HOSA go beyond the curriculum, focusing on our four core values: Learn, Lead, Serve, Innovate.

 

Many of our student members are enrolled in secondary (9-12) career and technical education health science classes, with programs of study in nursing services, sports medicine, pharmacy technician, and medical skills and services.

 

Membership is not limited to students enrolled in those courses though. HOSA has membership categories for health professionals, teachers, college students, and to all students in grades 6-12 who are interested in health careers.

 

During the 2022-2023 school year there were over 5,300 chapters and 260,000+ members in International HOSA!​

 

There were 60 Chapters with 2,630 members in Arkansas HOSA during the 2022-2023 school year, the largest membership in state history.​