On October 17, 2024, the Kansas HOSA Fall Leadership Conference will once again serve as a springboard for the future of health care, showcasing the talent, ambition and passion of hundreds of students who are stepping into the shoes of tomorrow's medical professionals. With a staggering 878 registered attendees — a dramatic rise from 636 in 2023 and just 358 in 2022 — the conference at Kansas State University's Student Union promises to be the largest and most impactful yet.  

HOSA: Future Health Professionals, a global organization devoted to fostering leadership and skill development among aspiring health care workers, is seeing incredible growth in Kansas. The number of affiliated chapters statewide has expanded from 54 to 59 in the last year, and all signs point to further growth on the horizon. These chapters, representing schools across Kansas, are part of a movement supported by the Kansas HOSA charter, held by KU Medical Center’s Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Under the leadership of State Advisor Tina Goosz-Garetson, Kansas HOSA is pushing boundaries, nurturing a new generation of health professionals who will soon be at the forefront of patient care, medical research and public health initiatives. 

The growth in numbers is impressive, but what’s even more remarkable is the passion and potential that these students bring to the table. Their participation in a wide range of workshops and competitive events at the Fall Leadership Conference reflects a hunger to learn and innovate. Attendees will have the chance to engage in activities like “Career Jumping,” where they’ll network with health care professionals, practice business card exchanges and get an inside look at different health care careers. Other opportunities include leadership workshops and hands-on experiences in Neosho Community College’s Health Skills Lab. 

The conference also emphasizes practical skill development, with events like Creative Problem Solving, Medical Assisting and Forensic Science offering students mock scenarios to test their knowledge and critical thinking. For the first time, competitive events will also feature audience participation, giving students a glimpse of what it’s like to be part of high-pressure health care scenarios in HOSA Bowl, Medical Law & Ethics and Sports Medicine. 

The options are endless, from the K-State Guided Campus Tours to high-level sessions on phlebotomy, CPR and even mental health promotion. Students can also get a taste of medical technology through hands-on workshops, including micropipetting and clinical nursing. 

This conference marks a milestone for Kansas HOSA, not just in terms of attendance and chapter growth, but in the way the organization inspires students to pursue their dreams in health care. With a robust lineup of activities, including leadership workshops and skills-based competitions, students will leave equipped not only with knowledge but with connections, inspiration and a drive to change the future of health. As these young leaders step forward, they are embracing the challenge of shaping health care — one event, one conversation, one skill at a time.  

The future of health in Kansas — and beyond — is in good hands.