Mielad Ziaee, a Marshall Scholar, Truman Scholar, public health advocate, innovator, and more, credits his passion for healthcare to his family’s influence and the formative experiences he gained through HOSA-Future Health Professionals.
Ziaee’s parents immigrated from Iran to the United States to manifest a new life. Their resilience and perspective deeply influenced his understanding of community, determination, and health from an early age. Before hitting the labs of prestigious institutions, Ziaee joined HOSA as a high school freshman thanks to their support. He saw it as a promising stepping stone to engage in his healthcare aspirations.
“I really wanted to hit the ground running with HOSA. It was so empowering to have [an organization] created for students interested in healthcare, where we could all sort of geek out together,” Ziaee recalled.
His two advisors, Angela Vong and Zenia Ridley, provided mentorship and guidance to immerse Ziaee in all HOSA could offer. His leadership journey quickly unfolded—from member to area officer, to Texas state officer, and eventually, to serving on HOSA’s International Executive Council (IEC). His tenure coincided with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finding creative ways to engage members across middle school, high school, and college in virtual settings connected the dots between leadership and innovation.
“Being part of the ‘COVID generation’ was both challenging and inspiring,” Ziaee shared. “It taught me how to build community and how that community can enact change.”
Ziaee’s experiences in HOSA ignited a passion for research, where he found the intersection of policy, public health, technology, and community engagement. Food insecurity, in particular, has become a focal point of his academic work.
“I’m a proud Houstonian. I go to the University of Houston, so one of the biggest challenges that my community faces is food insecurity,” Ziaee said. “I work with our Data Science Institute to try to understand both technological and community-based cultural approaches to food insecurity. A lot of the skills I learned in HOSA, like Zoom calls or identifying key problems and addressing them, are the same things I do in my research – just different vocabulary. ”
Ziaee will continue his study of public health as a Marshall Scholar at the University of Edinburgh this fall. He beamed with excitement as he described studying at an institution that nurtured scientific legends such as Charles Darwin and Alexander Graham Bell and exploring Scotland’s unique healthcare system.
“Edinburgh, specifically, is where they did the Dolly the Sheep experiment, which is super cool,” Ziaee said. “[[Additionally], it’s very interesting as an American to see how they’re doing things [in Scotland], and to hopefully bring that back and promote policy innovation here in public health.”
Reflecting on his journey, Ziaee underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and embracing HOSA as more than just an organization. As Ziaee embarks on this next chapter, his story exemplifies how HOSA-Future Health Professionals and strong family values can shape a life of innovation and impact. Following in his footsteps, his younger sister has now joined HOSA, continuing the family’s commitment to making a difference in healthcare.
“The connections and experiences you gain will inspire and guide you for years to come. It’s one of the main constants in my life,” he said.
Ziaee’s journey highlights that HOSA is more than just a stepping stone—it’s a foundation for lifelong growth, leadership, and meaningful connections.To join this inspiring legacy, become part of the HOSA alumni network today at www.hosa.org/alumni.
