| HOSA | |
| Size: | 180px |
| Brand: | HOSA – Future Health Professionals |
| Theme: | HOSA: Build A Better You! (2012–2013) |
| Type: | Career and technical student organization |
| Headquarters: | 548 Silicon Drive, Suite 101 Southlake, Texas 76092 United States |
| Membership: | 200,000 |
| Leader Title: | Executive Director |
| Leader Name: | Jim Koeninger[1] |
| Website: | http://www.hosa.org/ |
HOSA – Future Health Professionals, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), is an international career and technical student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education Division of ACTE. HOSA is composed of middle school, secondary, and post-secondary/collegiate students, along with professionals, alumni, and honorary members. It is headquartered in Southlake, Texas, and is the largest student organization that prepares students to enter healthcare and similar fields, with membership in the United States, U.S. Territories, Canada, China, South Korea, and Mexico.
HOSA was founded in 1976 out of a task force from the American Vocational Association in order to determine whether a new student organization accommodating healthcare students was necessary.
From November 4–7, 1975, the State Department of Education and Division of Vocational Education in New Jersey with 18 representatives from Alabama, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas voted to form the American Health Occupations Education Student Organization.
On November 10–13, 1976, in a constitutional convention in Arlington, Texas AHOESO adopted bylaws, which also changed the organization's name to Health Occupations Students of America; elected national leaders; selected colors and a motto; made plans to design an emblem; and set the first National Leadership Conference for the spring of 1978 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In 2004, the organization dropped the acronym from its name, and began publishing all documents under the brand "HOSA – Future Health Professionals."[2]
, HOSA has grown to more than 50 chartered associations in several countries, including the United States and its territories, Canada, China, South Korea, and Mexico. HOSA's chartered associations are:
The mission of HOSA is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience.[3]
The official HOSA uniform consists of a navy-blue suit with maroon accent in the form of a tie for men or a scarf for women. The HOSA emblem is affixed to the suit jacket.[4]
Members meet annually at an International Leadership Conference held in late June in cities across the United States. Selected major cities for hosting the conference rotate every few years. Over 7,500 students participate in general sessions, competitive events, and leadership experiences, all while networking with health sciences students representing nearly all 50 states and countries including Canada, China, and Mexico.
| 2002 | June 26–29 | Anaheim Hilton and Marriott | Anaheim, California | |
| 2003 | June 18–21 | Atlanta Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton | Atlanta, Georgia | |
| 2004 | June 23-26 | Marriott World Center | Orlando, Florida | |
| 2005 | June 22-25 | Gaylord Opryland Hotel | Nashville, Tennessee | |
| 2006 | June 21-24 | Anaheim Hilton and Marriott | Anaheim, California | |
| 2007 | June 20-23 | Marriott World Center | Orlando, Florida | |
| 2008 | June 18-21 | Adam’s Mark Hotel | Dallas, Texas | |
| 2009 | June 24-27 | Gaylord Opryland Hotel | Nashville, Tennessee | |
| 2010 | June 23-26 | Disney's Coronado Springs Resort | Orlando, Florida | |
| 2011 | June 22-25 | Hilton Anaheim | Anaheim, California | |
| 2012 | June 20-23 | Disney's Coronado Springs Resort | Orlando, Florida | |
| 2013 | June 26-30 | Gaylord Opryland Hotel | Nashville, Tennessee | |
| 2014 | June 25-28 | Disney's Coronado Springs Resort | Orlando, Florida | |
| 2015 | June 24-27 | Hilton Anaheim | Anaheim, California | |
| 2016 | June 22-25 | Gaylord Opryland Hotel | Nashville, Tennessee | |
| 2017 | June 21-24 | Disney's Coronado Springs Resort | Orlando, Florida | |
| 2018 | June 27-30 | Dallas Convention Center | Dallas, Texas | |
| 2019 | June 19-22 | Disney's Coronado Springs Resort | Orlando, Florida | |
| 2020 | June 24-27 | Virtual ILC | Virtual Conference | |
| 2021 | June 23-26 | Virtual ILC | Virtual Conference | |
| 2022 | June 22-25 | Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center | Nashville, Tennessee | |
| 2023 | June 21-24 | Dallas Convention Center | Dallas, Texas | |
| 2024 | June 26-29 | George R. Brown Convention Center, | Houston, Texas | |
| 2025 | June 18-21 | Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center | Nashville, Tennessee | |
| 2026 | June 24-27 | Indianapolis Convention Center | Indianapolis, Indiana | |
| 2026 | June 23-26 | Baltimore Convention Center | Baltimore, Maryland | |
| 2028 | June 28-July 1 | George R. Brown Convention Center | Houston, Texas |
HOSA offers 82 competitive events, ranging from skill-based to leadership and team-based. The event groups are as follows: Health science, health professions, leadership, and recognition events. Members compete at the regional, state, and international levels. Those who place in the top three positions at the state level are given the opportunity to compete at the international level.