During HOSA’s 16th Annual Washington Leadership Academy, held this past week at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center from September 24-27, 2022, I shared with our state leaders, local leaders, and advisors in attendance:
“We hope that — as prospective leaders in the global health community — you have had the opportunity these past few days to set tangible goals — think about impact — taking to heart how you will leverage your strengths to be the best that you can be. We all know that WLA aims to develop your leadership skills — but I hope that we all can keep in mind who we are doing this for – what matters to us — what we are really, truly passionate about. Today, it’s for your chartered association or members, but tomorrow, it might be for your local community — a patient in need, or a partner who needs your expertise. We’re grateful you’re here. We appreciate your dedication, commitment, and engagement, and look forward to what’s to come…”
What a true honor and privilege it was for the International Executive Council to host state and local leaders from across the world — together — in our nation’s capital for the largest ever Washington Leadership Academy HOSA has ever seen, with over 160+ state leaders and 100+ local leaders in attendance!
For me personally, this last week in Washington marked a personal milestone as well — turning 21 and celebrating a birthday with my second family: HOSA-Future Health Professionals. From gifts and cake to laughter and singing, I cannot share how happy, warm, and thankful I am to be a member of a community and family of peers that appreciates each other — and really, truly roots each other on. Because that’s what this is about: taking pride in each other. Standing up for each other. And valuing what each of us bring to the table…
… and that is precisely what I was privileged to observe this past week at HOSA’s 16th Annual Washington Leadership Academy.
From an engaging and excitement-filled series of leadership sessions with the support of Ms. Jennifer McNelly and Mr. Jeff Koeninger for state leaders and Mr. Mark Burley and Mr. Khalil Tubbs for local leaders — to a magnificent Twilight Tour of our nation’s capital — to the laughs shared at the annual social hosted by the International Executive Council: it was being able to value and appreciate our shared interests that led to the success of WLA — HOSA’s annual capstone leadership experience.
Held on Monday morning, Anna (HOSA’s President-Elect) and I moderated a family medicine panel with esteemed professionals from the Georgetown University School of Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). It was in this panel that Dr. Margot Savoy, Senior Vice President, Education, Inclusiveness and Physician Well-Being at the AAFP shared strategies for coping with self-doubt, while branding family medicine, yes, as one of the most critical “specialties” in medicine — specializing in humanism — caring for an individual from when they are born to when they die. With such a thought-provoking discussion, the panel left HOSA state and local with many answers, yes, but also many questions: questions that kindle a flame and call to action for aspiring future health professionals.
Folks — HOSA’s 16th Annual Washington Leadership Academy is “in the books.” How proud I am to say that this WLA proved to be an environment to meet and connect with fellow leaders, gain new insights, partake in foundational experiences, and develop as students, leaders, and future health professionals.
It was this same passion that the team was able to translate into action, presenting the International Executive Council’s plan of work, comprised of six focal areas, to HOSA State Advisors to kick off the State Advisors Management (SAM) conference after the conclusion of the WLA, including:
- Meaningful engagement with HOSA’s membership — regardless of membership division — expanding the reach of our shared community of future health professionals globally
- Transforming organizational growth and branding development metrics via enhancing utility of content creation, social, web, and media touchpoints to facilitate effective outreach
- Expanding opportunities of HOSA membership and providing all membership divisions with specific, tailored, effective resources for personal growth and development
- Instilling in HOSA members a commitment to service — dedicating time and efforts towards supporting others as future health professionals
- Supporting the development and execution of growing HOSA professional and industry partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations to support the personal, academic, and professional development of HOSA members and stakeholders
- Reviewing bylaws, policies and procedures, governing documents, and evaluating core organizational processes to determine best practices
Needless to say — the year ahead is one we look forward to with great anticipation.
So challenge yourself this year! Move beyond your comfort zone — explore a new area or opportunity HOSA offers — take a new course — expand your interests — and most importantly, let us know how we can support you along your journey!
If we take this challenge head on — together — we can move “beyond all limits” in pursuit of where we go from here — in pursuit of what comes next — and in pursuit of our collective aspirations.
With love — today, tomorrow, and always,
Kartik
Kartik Tyagi
International President
HOSA-Future Health Professionals
