Oklahoma HOSA is joining the international CareerTech student organization in celebrating its 50th anniversary.
It’s not just the international organization’s anniversary; it’s also Oklahoma HOSA’s 50th anniversary. Oklahoma and five other states -- Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee -- founded HOSA -- Future Health Professionals in 1976 as a student organization affiliated with health science education.
“As a founding state, Oklahoma has played a key role in shaping the organization from the beginning,” said Amy Warner, Oklahoma HOSA state adviser at Oklahoma CareerTech. “Oklahoma has consistently shown up in meaningful ways, from serving on the International HOSA board of directors and competitive events team to helping shape and refine competitive events that are now used across the world.”
Oklahoma HOSA has grown tremendously, even over just the last three years, said Lara Morris, CareerTech’s health science education program director. Membership has increased from 5,828 in 2023 to 8,247 this year, and members have logged more than 12,000 hours of community service.
The CTSO has built a reputation for excellence, strong membership and innovative programming, like Camp Ignite, which is entering its sixth year, Warner said. The state-developed leadership experience, which provides an opportunity for HOSA members to participate in leadership training, networking and student professional development, has garnered national attention.
“Due to its success, elements of the program are now being replicated in other states, further extending Oklahoma’s impact on HOSA programming nationwide,” Warner said.
Oklahoma HOSA will celebrate the anniversary with students and alumni at its State Leadership Conference April 6-8. The conference’s opening session will focus on the CTSO’s legacy, and alumni will return to the stage during the recognition session. Many alumni will also serve as competitive event judges.
A Golden Connections Reception will reconnect alumni and partners with state leaders in tech centers and schools as well as HOSA advisers, Warner said.
Meanwhile, state officers will lead five workshops, including one titled The Next 50 Years, in which Oklahoma HOSA members will help shape the future. That future includes continued support of advisers with increased professional development and resources and a focus on expanding HOSA’s role as a health care workforce pipeline through industry partnerships, hands-on learning and leadership development, Warner said.
“Our goal is simple: Prepare students not just to enter health care, but to lead and remain in the field,” she said.
HOSA is one of seven CareerTech student organizations affiliated with CareerTech programs. It is affiliated with health careers education. The other six are Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (family and consumer sciences education), FFA (agricultural education), DECA (marketing education), SkillsUSA (trade and industrial education), Business Professionals of America (business and information technology education) and Technology Student Association (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Oklahoma CareerTech: Oklahoma’s Workforce Leader
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 63 campuses, 394 PK-12 school districts, 20 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 49 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
