The HOSA-100 International Advisory Council, led by General Bruce Green, M.D., and Former Surgeon General of the Air Force, met during the 2024 Washington Leadership Academy (WLA) and State Advisors Management (SAM) Conference to strengthen the opportunities for HOSA members to take maximum advantage of the growing demand for future health professionals completing their high school health and biomedical science programs.
The HOSA-100 International Advisory Council is comprised of prominent executives and managers from various sectors of the healthcare industry. The 34 council members provide HOSA with their encouragement, professional expertise, diverse perspectives, connections to local, state, national, and international resources, philanthropic support, and valued assistance. They promote HOSA-Future Health Professionals as the premier pathway for young people interested in pursuing careers in healthcare, starting in middle and high school and continuing through postsecondary and collegiate institutions and on to medical, pharmacy, and nursing schools, and other progressional graduate programs.
Retired General Bruce Green, Chair, HOSA-100 International Advisory Council, opened the meeting by expressing his heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their dedication to HOSA-Future Health Professionals. He highlighted HOSA’s upcoming 50th Anniversary, to be celebrated in Indianapolis, Indiana, from June 17-20, 2026, and emphasized the importance of engaging middle school students in health professions early to cultivate a new generation of healthcare leaders.
Cindy Beck, HOSA, Inc. Board Chair, welcomed council members to the meeting by sharing the importance of the meeting as Rob Tosatto, Commissioned Officers’ Association, affiliated with the U.S. Public Health Service, and Ashley Bentley, American Academy of Family Physicians, were leading a discussion regarding a special project focusing on the impact that HOSA members have with their health industry partners. Cindy emphasized that “all partners have anecdotal stories; however, we are hopeful that through this project, we can realize HOSA’s real impact.”
Maddy Yaerma, Postsecondary/Collegiate Board Representative and long-time HOSA member, echoed this sentiment. She shared that her Native American heritage inspired her to help improve the health and wellness of her community, and her involvement in HOSA gave her the tools and exposure to make that a reality. “It’s one thing to have a reason, it’s another thing to have the tools to achieve these things,” Yaerma said.
Jim Koeninger, Ph.D., Executive Director Emeritus, closed the meeting by emphasizing the sense of purpose that drives HOSA members: “[Young people] really are concerned, and that’s evident when you think about the projects and causes in which they’re willing to engage.”
As champions of HOSA’s mission, council members reaffirmed their commitment to promoting HOSA as the leading pathway for young people interested in health careers. Marshall Bailey, Executive Director of Leadership Initiatives, underscored the leadership potential of HOSA members through his highly selective Executive Summer Internship program. This past summer, almost half of the participants were HOSA members, and they consistently received higher ratings from the program leaders than other participants based on their findings.
The meeting agenda also focused on leveraging the members’ collective expertise to expand HOSA’s reach and ensure that young people across the globe are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to excel in healthcare.
As HOSA continues to evolve and address the growing demands of the healthcare industry, the HOSA-100 International Advisory Council remains at the forefront, offering invaluable guidance and resources. Their continued support is essential to ensure that HOSA remains a beacon for aspiring health professionals, helping today’s youth prepare, explore, and achieve their career goals in the promising opportunities in healthcare.
