What is HOSA

HOSA: Health Science Technology Education (HSTE) is a national student organization that provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation and recognition exclusively for secondary, post-secondary, collegiate and adult students enrolled in health occupations education course or instructional programs. HOSA is an integral part of approved health occupation programs. Health Science Technology Education (HSTE) students who become active members in a local HOSA chapter are eligible for membership in state and national HOSA.

HOSA's Mission

The mission of HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health occupations education students, therefore helping the students to meet the needs of the health care industry.

Purpose of HOSA

The primary purpose of a HOSA chapter is to serve the needs of its members and to promote and strengthen the HSTE-HOSA Partnership in the following ways:

• Foster programs and activities which will develop:
  • Physical, mental and social well-being of the individual
  • Leadership. Character and citizenship
  • Ethical practices and respect for dignity of work
• Foster self-actualization of each member, which contributes to meeting the individual's psychological, social and economic needs.
• Build the confidence of students in themselves and their work by providing opportunities to assume responsibilities and by developing personal and occupational competencies and social skills that lead to realistic choices of careers and successful employment in the health care field.
• Promote inter-organizational relationships with professional groups, businesses, health care delivery systems and other organizations.
• Recognize individual achievement in scholarship, occupational skills, or services rendered, by providing recognition and awards.
• Promote involvement in current health care issues, environmental concerns and survival needs of the community, the nation and the world.
• Establish and maintain a good standing status with the Health Technology Students of America.

History of HOSA

At the 1971 *American Vocational Association Convention (AVA) in Oregon, a task force was appointed to study student organizations, how they might serve health occupations students and to examine whether a new organization was needed. In 1972 at the AVA Convention, several "Position Papers" were presented and in 1973 New Jersey and Texas established health occupations organizations. By November 1976, a Constitutional Convention was held in Arlington, Texas, proclaiming Health Occupations Students of America the official student organization for health related students.

*The AVE (American Vocational Association) is now known as the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE).

History of PA HOSA

In May 1979 a group of health occupations teachers, state staff members, teacher educators, and executives from the national HOSA staff held a Constitutional Convention in Harrisburg. At this time, the State Constitution and Bylaws for PENN-HOSA were developed.

In June 1979 Pennsylvania was awarded its national charter for HOSA at the National HOSA Convention, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The first "five" chartered chapters in Pennsylvania (in alphabetical order):

• Berks County AVTS, East
• Franklin County AVTS
• Westermoreland Community College
• Willow Street AVTS, Lancaster
• York County AVTS

In the Spring of 1991, the first Collegiate Chapter (Alpha Chapter) was organized at Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.