Shriya Patel, Washington HOSA State President and passionate healthcare advocate, began her journey into the healthcare field in an extraordinary way. As an 8th grader, she noticed a growing interest in healthcare among her peers but realized that opportunities to explore this passion were lacking. This realization sparked her decision to take action, leading her to found one of Washington’s first middle school HOSA chapters.
“As simple as it sounds, I saw how interested my peers were in healthcare, but there just weren’t any opportunities to explore that interest. That’s what inspired me to start a HOSA chapter in middle school,” Patel said.
Starting a HOSA chapter at such a young age was not without its challenges. Patel faced the daunting task of introducing a completely new initiative to her school. Convincing others of the value of HOSA, especially when no one had heard of it before, required persistence and strong leadership.
“One of the biggest struggles was getting started and showing people the value of HOSA since it was everyone’s first time doing something like this,” she reflected.
Despite the initial challenges, Patel’s leadership and dedication paid off. Her involvement in HOSA grew, and she soon found herself deeply immersed in the organization’s activities. A pivotal moment came during the International Leadership Conference (ILC) when she attended a women in healthcare workshop. One particular speaker’s passion for pediatrics left a lasting impression on her.
“At ILC one year, I attended a women in healthcare workshop where the speaker talked about different professions, highlighting pediatricians as one of them. Her passion and love for what she was talking about really stuck with me, and I loved how she described it as a profession where you get to grow up with your patients,” Patel said.
This experience significantly influenced Patel’s decision to pursue a career in pediatrics, aligning with her passion for early childhood development.
As Patel advanced in her HOSA journey, she took on greater responsibilities, eventually becoming the State President. In this role, she focused on bridging the gap between state officers and local members, understanding that effective communication and interaction were key to making HOSA an enriching experience for everyone.
“I think there’s still a huge gap between members and state officers because of the lack of communication and interaction, but through social media and state officer activities like karaoke night, we’re bridging this gap,” she explained.
HOSA has played a crucial role in Patel’s development as a leader, equipping her with skills that will serve her well in her future career in healthcare.
“HOSA has taught me how to be a leader, not just someone who saves lives, but someone who leads a team of heroes,” Patel said. “These skills will be vital in my future career in healthcare.”
Patel’s advice to students interested in healthcare is clear: seize the opportunities that HOSA offers to explore the field and build lasting connections.
“But beyond the endless skills, real-world experiences, and knowledge about healthcare you gain, the people and connections you make will take you further than anything else,” Patel advised.
