Hebah Tanveer, a 2020 International Executive Council (IEC) member and current medical device engineer, began her journey with HOSA as a curious freshman in high school. Before she knew it, HOSA became the foundation of her educational experience and eventually led her to merge her creative interests with healthcare.
“I was introduced to HOSA by an upperclassman friend who recommended I take a medical terminology course. Our advisor had an open call for students interested in representing our high school in competitions, and that’s how I got involved,” Tanveer said.
One competition, in particular, stood out—Medical Photography. It was the only event that didn’t seem as daunting as the others to Tanveer, so she decided to give it a try. To her surprise, she ended up getting first place at an area competition the following February. “That first victory really stuck with me because it built my confidence and set the tone for my HOSA journey,” she said.
Over the years, Tanveer participated in various HOSA competitions, each contributing to her growth in different ways. From medical photography, she went on to medical innovation, and from medical innovation, she competed in Health Education—an event that was particularly close to home. “[The] event had a profound impact on me,” Tanveer recalled. “We were a team of three girls who had recently lost one of our friends to suicide, so that’s the topic we chose. Reaching the International Leadership Conference (ILC) [that year] while honoring her legacy was a significant achievement for us.”
At ILC that year, Tanveer was also introduced to the International Executive Council (IEC). Witnessing the team was a “huge inspiration” to her, sparking her more formal pursuit of leadership within HOSA. “I saw [Priya Rathakrishnan] on stage exuding such poise and professionalism, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Tanveer said.
The next year, she became a state officer in Texas; and the following year, during the 2019-2020 term, she joined the IEC. Despite half of Tanveer’s term as an officer being online and the other half in person, she believed it was the best of both worlds. She said, “The HOSA community is incredibly supportive—there were hundreds of people at the Washington Leadership Academy, and we knew almost everyone by name.”
They were also the team who navigated the first-ever online ILC. Despite technical difficulties, learning curves, and a constant state of uncertainty, they were able to pull off one of the most memorable conferences to date with the help and support of the HOSA community. Every aspect of the ILC took place virtually: competitions, workshops, speakers, and even the dances.
No matter how awkward or silly it may have seemed, the IEC members that year vowed to “dance no matter what” and make the most out of the experience. Sooner rather than later, the other HOSA members joined in on the fun. People participated in the virtual dances, showed off their pets on Zoom, and connected any way they could. “HOSA members make HOSA what it is; not the flashy lights,” Tanveer said. “I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.”
After the ILC, Tanveer went on to complete her Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. She realized that she wanted to improve lives by being creative and wasn’t finding that fulfillment in traditional medical roles. Nonetheless, HOSA played a crucial role in helping her navigate this transition. She found mentors who helped her along the way, gained invaluable experience, and learned the importance of teamwork and pursuing ambitions.
For current HOSA members, Tanveer offers the advice former IEC member Kasey Canteli once gave her: “What’s the worst that could happen? If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, ask yourself, ‘Am I growing as a person?’ If the answer is yes, then stay there.”
To join our HOSA alumni network, visit www.hosa.org/alumni/. There, you can connect with health professionals like Hebah Tanveer, access exclusive job and internship opportunities, take advantage of our latest discounts, and more—all at no cost. We look forward to welcoming you back to the HOSA family!
