Campus Life

UWF HOSA Team earns national awards

Five students on the University of West Florida Health Occupation Students of America team recently placed in the Top 3 in their respective categories at the 2014 HOSA National Leadership Conference in Orlando. Collectively, the group received recognition as Post-Secondary Outstanding HOSA Chapter, after earning the same title at the state competition earlier this year.

“We are so proud of these students,” said Dr. Angela Hahn, UWF lecturer and HOSA advisor. “Their dedication and hard work has been recognized at the national level, and I think the lessons they’ve learned extend far beyond the academic competitions themselves. We’ve had members in previous years go on to top tier medical, dental and professional schools. We see HOSA as a stepping stone that helps prepare future health leaders who are empowered to promote the health and well-being of our community.”

The following UWF students placed in the Top 3 after competing in individual categories that involved knowledge and skills tests:

  • Camille Wood, 2nd Place in Biotechnology
  • Jaleese Cope, 2nd Place in Physical Therapy
  • Stephanie Hayley, 2nd Place in Healthy Lifestyle
  • Buu-Tran Duong, 3rd Place in Extemporaneous Writing
  • Darcy DeMarra, 3rd Place in Human Growth and Development

This marks the fourth year that the UWF HOSA Team has competed at the national level.

HOSA is a national organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of ACTE. The organization’s mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA provides leadership training, community service opportunities and academic competitions.

The team was supported by UWF Allied Health and Life Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Student Government Association and the Alumni Association.

For additional information about HOSA, visit hosa.org.