More than 250 members of Oklahoma HOSA - Future Health Professionals celebrated the CareerTech student organization’s 50th anniversary with more than 15,000 people from around the world at the 2026 HOSA International Leadership Conference.
Oklahoma HOSA’s group of 254 joined members, advisers, health care professionals, alumni, guests, business and industry representatives and exhibitors at the conference in Indianapolis, where they competed, networked and attended leadership academies, educational symposiums, health care exhibits and more than 150 workshops.
Oklahoma was recognized for having the largest postsecondary membership in the nation and for a 6% membership increase. Oklahoma HOSA has more than 10,000 members statewide.
“For Oklahoma HOSA, the conference was especially meaningful. As one of HOSA’s six founding chartered associations, Oklahoma was featured on the international stage throughout the anniversary celebration,” said Amy Warner, Oklahoma HOSA state adviser at Oklahoma CareerTech. “Oklahoma’s rich history and enduring impact on the organization were highlighted as HOSA reflected on the leaders, advisers and members who helped shape the organization from its earliest days in 1976 to the global movement it is today.”
Oklahoma HOSA members earned 13 first place wins and 25 top 10 finishes in competitive events at the conference. The state association placed fourth in the time capsule presentation contest. Reagan Warner, Yukon High School, earned honorable mention in My HOSA Story. Two Oklahomans, Jacqueline Olivares, Moore Norman Technology Center, and Simardeep Singh, Francis Tuttle Technology Center, were on the election slate for the International Executive Council.
In state level recognition, Olivares, Moore Norman Technology Center, was named HOSA Outstanding Leader, and Blakelyn Geiger, Durant High School, was named Outstanding Local Adviser.
“As we celebrate the achievements, we also celebrate the thousands of Oklahoma students, advisers, alumni, health care partners and supporters who have contributed to this legacy,” Warner said. “The 50th anniversary was not only a celebration of where HOSA has been; it was also a glimpse of where the next generation of health care leaders will take us.”
HOSA, one of seven co-curricular CareerTech student organizations, is affiliated with health science education. The other six CTSOs 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.
