Over 500 HOSA members and advisors gathered in Washington, D.C. for the annual Washington Leadership Academy, September 28-30. Representing 295,000 HOSA members from 54 chartered associations, delegates gained valuable leadership skills and knowledge to positively impact HOSA chartered associations, HOSA chapters, the healthcare industry, and their communities.
The week-long program focused on leadership development, community service, advocacy, self-discovery, and positive change. The HOSA International Executive Council, led by International President Nick Ballard, welcomed delegates, setting the tone for an exciting and productive week of learning and practicing a wide range of soft skills to be the best leader possible.
Guided by Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches Jennifer McNelly and Jeff Koeninger, HOSA members delved into the CliftonStrengths research, focusing on building strengths-based teams, networking, collaboration, and developing actionable leadership skills.
A highlight of the week was the Saturday evening “Twilight Tour” of Washington, D.C.’s historic monuments and memorials.
HOSA members and advisors visited iconic landmarks like the Lincoln, MLK, Vietnam, and Korean War Memorials, gaining historical context from the Guild of Professional Tour Guides.
On Sunday, HOSA participated in a poignant Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, with International President Nick Ballard and President-Elect Ria Mohan representing HOSA’s future health professionals.
A major highlight of the event was an informative and timely panel discussing health advocacy, featuring industry leaders who shared their wealth of experience in influencing policy and navigating legislative processes. The panel highlighted moderator, 
Christi Lower, Ph.D., Director of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), panelists, Kate Fry, Chief Executive Officer of America’s Blood Centers (ABC), and Diana Rubio, MD, Health Policy Fellow representing the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Robert Graham Center. Each panelist brought unique insights from their advocacy fields, offering HOSA members critical advice on how to advocate for meaningful changes in legislation.
Monday saw HOSA members advocating on Capitol Hill, where they met with Senate and Congressional representatives and staff to discuss the importance of health science education, career and technical education (CTE), and HOSA-Future Health Professionals.
Participants appreciated hearing from keynote speakers, including:
- Robin Utz, Deputy Director in the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, who shared the importance of CTE and the resources available to students exploring career choices especially in healthcare.
Ms. Utz quoted the importance of health science programs: Career pathways in high school are about more options not less. Whether you chose to pursue a rigorous technical training program leading to a high-wage employment in a high demand career field or a two year or four-year college degree program. And we believe that Career and Technical Student Organizations, especially HOSA, are an important option to students as an integral component of their education experience. Research indicates that students who participate in student-led organizations, like HOSA, demonstrate higher levels of academic engagement and motivation, higher levels of civic engagement, career awareness and development, and higher employability skills than other students. The demand for workers in the healthcare sector will likely exceed the current pipeline in the health sciences field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare is projected to grow much faster than the average of all occupations by adding 2 million new jobs over the next decade. 1.8 million openings are expected each year. In 2022, the states report that there are less than 400,000 high school students and 500,000 post-secondary students that are concentrated in health science programs. We have a gap.
- Rawle Andrews, Esq., Executive Director, American Psychiatric Association Foundation.
Mr. Andrews shared many powerful takeaways regarding connection, kindness, and teamwork.
The Art of Connecting Dots – Mr. Andrews stressed the importance of working in teams while understanding the importance of one’s individual “superpowers.” Being a leader is difficult; working in teams requires trust and self-awareness. He also introduced The RACI System: A Framework for Effective Teamwork
– Responsible: Who does the work?
– Authorizer: Who makes decisions?
– Consultants: Who provides input?
– Informed: Who needs to be kept in the loop?
WLA delegates learned the “5 Rights to Prevent a Wrong.”
“Right people, in right places, doing the right things at the right times at the right cost.”
Beyond skill refinement, the Washington Leadership Academy emphasized the value of a strong sense of community within HOSA. Shared meals and breaks provided opportunities for networking, sharing experiences, and building lasting friendships.
From elevator conversations to hallway chats and bus rides, interactions with fellow HOSA members created unforgettable memories. The 18th Annual Washington Leadership Academy concluded with hearts full of laughter, new leadership knowledge, and memories of a genuine sense of belonging. It wasn’t just about the IEC and delegates; it was about our uniting as one HOSA family, driven by our shared mission to lead and serve.
As we leave with the learning and memories from an incredible week, we continue to build upon the legacy of HOSA-Future Health Professionals, Powered By Incredible People!
The 2024-2025 International Executive Council: Nick Ballard, International President; Ria Mohan, President-Elect; Bhavesh Manne, Eastern Region Vice President; Aditya Suresh, Central Region Vice President; Hasvi Patel, Western Region Vice President; Jillian Anderson, Postsecondary/Collegiate Vice President; Maddy Yarema, Postsecondary/Collegiate Board Representative; and Cameron Carter, Secondary Board Representative
