~~ HOSA Bowl ~~

HOSA Handbook

• Purpose: Offers an overview of the organization’s mission, structure, and competitive events.

• Content:

  1. Mission and Goals: HOSA's mission is to empower students to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience.

  2. Competitive Events: Details on event categories, rules, and judging criteria for competitions like medical terminology, public speaking, and team-based events.

  3. Chapter Development: Guidance on starting and maintaining a chapter, recruiting members, and organizing activities.

  4. Recognition Opportunities: Information on scholarships, awards, and leadership roles available to members.

  5. Resources: Instructions for accessing HOSA’s official curriculum materials, study guides, and leadership training.

Publications and Bylaws

• Purpose: Define the organization’s governance, membership rules, and structural guidelines.

• Content:

  1. Bylaws:

     • Structure: Includes the responsibilities of national, state, and local chapters.

     • Membership: Criteria for joining HOSA and maintaining active status.

     • Leadership: Roles and responsibilities of officers at various levels.

     • Voting: Procedures for decision-making and amendments.

  2. Publications:

     • Newsletters: Updates on initiatives, events, and member achievements.

     • Manuals: Detailed instructions for competitive events and leadership programs.

Policies and Procedures

• Purpose: Establish operational standards for ethical, legal, and efficient management.

• Content:

  1. Financial Management: Guidelines for managing chapter funds, dues, and donations.

  2. Event Conduct: Rules for student behavior during conferences, competitions, and leadership meetings.

  3. Code of Ethics: Expectations for member professionalism and integrity.

  4. Conflict Resolution: Steps for resolving disputes within chapters or between members.

  5. Safety Guidelines: Protocols for ensuring the safety of students during events and travel.

HOSA Website

• About HOSA: It outlines the history, mission, and organizational structure, including information on chartered associations, leadership, and advisory councils. HOSA focuses on empowering future health professionals through education, training, and leadership development​

• Membership and Leadership: The site has resources for members, advisors, alumni, and state advisors. It emphasizes community involvement and the value of collaboration within the healthcare field​

• Competitions and Events: HOSA hosts numerous competitive events, such as the International Leadership Conference and Washington Leadership Academy, to help students develop practical skills and knowledge in health-related fields​

  Resources and Opportunities: The site provides access to career preparation tools, scholarships, job opportunities, and health-related internships. It also offers guidelines for competitive events and on-demand classroom activities​

• Partnerships and Advocacy: HOSA collaborates with healthcare organizations and education institutions, aiming to strengthen pathways for students entering the healthcare industry

Postitions

• Cindy Beck - Chair of the HOSA, Inc. Board of Directors. Cindy focuses on guiding strategic decisions and overseeing HOSA's programs and partnerships. She plays a pivotal role in collaborations and developmental goals​

• Retired General Bruce Green, M.D. - Chair of the HOSA-100 National Advisory Council. He leads this body, comprising 34 distinguished members from various healthcare sectors, providing mentorship and resources to HOSA students​

• HOSA Executive Council Members (2023–2024):

  • Aditya Modi - President, representing students and leading initiatives focused on expanding HOSA’s impact in schools globally.

  • Anjelika Simpson - President-Elect, working on upcoming programs and transitions.

  • Tara Kansagra - Secondary Board Representative.

  • Stephanie Zhang - Postsecondary/Collegiate Board Representative. These council members focus on advocacy, member engagement, and event coordination, ensuring student voices drive the organization’s direction

General HOSA Knowledge

• Mission and Purpose: HOSA's mission is to empower future health professionals through leadership development, motivation, and recognition.

• History:

  • Founded in 1976 in Arlington, Texas.

  • Originally called the "American Health Occupations Education Student Organization" (AHOESO).

  • Name changed to HOSA in 1977 to reflect a broader focus on health science education.

• HOSA Motto: “The Hands of HOSA Mold the Health of Tomorrow.”

• HOSA Colors:

  • Navy Blue: Loyalty to the healthcare profession.

  • Medical White: Purity of purpose.

  • Maroon: Compassion of HOSA members.

• Emblem Symbols:

  • Circle: Continuity of health care.

  • Triangle: Social, physical, and mental well-being.

  • Hands: Care of each HOSA member.

Leadership and Organizational Structure

• Divisions:

  1. Middle School Division

  2. Secondary Division

  3. Postsecondary/Collegiate Division

  4. Professional Division (for advisors, healthcare professionals, etc.)

• National Officer Positions: President, President-Elect, Regional Vice Presidents, Postsecondary/Collegiate Representative, and Secondary Board Representative.

• HOSA’s Competitive Events Program: Includes knowledge tests, team events, and leadership activities.

Competitive Events

• HOSA Bowl focuses on:

  • Medical Terminology: Key roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

  • Health Science: Anatomy, physiology, and medical history.

  • Parliamentary Procedure:

    • Order of Business: Call to order, approval of minutes, reports, old business, new business, adjournment.

    • Motions: Types (main, subsidiary, incidental) and rules.

    • Quorum: Minimum number of members required to conduct business.

Healthcare and Leadership Knowledge

• Healthcare History:

  • Hippocrates: Known as the "Father of Medicine."

  • Florence Nightingale: Founder of modern nursing.

  • The first vaccine: Developed by Edward Jenner for smallpox.

• Modern Healthcare: Advances like the Human Genome Project, telemedicine, and AI in diagnostics.

• Leadership Principles: Styles (authoritative, democratic, laissez-faire), effective communication, and conflict resolution.

HOSA Policies and Procedures

• Membership Dues: Collected at local, state, and national levels.

• Dress Code:

  • Navy blazer with emblem patch.

  • White shirt/blouse.

  • Navy or black slacks/skirt.

  • Closed-toe shoes

Mission, Motto, and Emblem

• Mission: To empower future health professionals through leadership development, motivation, and recognition of excellence in the delivery of quality health care.

• Motto: “The Hands of HOSA Mold the Health of Tomorrow.”

• Emblem Symbols:

  • Circle: Represents the continuity of health care.

  • Triangle: Represents social, physical, and mental well-being.

  • Hands: Symbolize the caring hands of health professionals.

Colors and Their Meaning

• Navy Blue: Loyalty to the health profession.

• Medical White: Purity of purpose.

• Maroon: Compassion of HOSA members.

HOSA History

• Established in 1976, initially as AHOESO.

• Renamed as HOSA in 1977 to align with health education and career development goals.

• The first National Leadership Conference was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Organizational Structure

• Divisions:

  1. Middle School.

  2. Secondary (high school).

  3. Postsecondary/Collegiate.

  4. Professional (advisors, healthcare professionals).

• Leadership Positions:

  • President, President-Elect, Vice Presidents (regional), Postsecondary/Collegiate Board Representative, and Secondary Board Representative.

  • Local chapters report to state associations, which then coordinate with the national office.

Competitive Events Program

HOSA events are categorized into five areas:

1. Health Science: Medical terminology, medical math, and knowledge tests.

2. Health Professions: Skills-based events like nursing and pharmacy tech.

3. Emergency Preparedness: CPR/First Aid, CERT, and epidemiology.

4. Leadership: Extemporaneous writing, speaking skills, and debates.

5. Teamwork: HOSA Bowl, health career display, and public health.

Parliamentary Procedure

Understanding parliamentary procedure is crucial for HOSA Bowl:

• Order of Business:

  1. Call to Order.

  2. Reading and Approval of Minutes.

  3. Reports of Officers/Committees.

  4. Unfinished Business.

  5. New Business.

  6. Adjournment.

• Motions:

  • Main motion: Proposes an action or decision.

  • Subsidiary motion: Alters or affects how a main motion is handled.

  • Incidental motion: Questions procedures.

• Quorum: The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business.

Healthcare Knowledge

Medical History

• Hippocrates: "Father of Medicine," associated with the Hippocratic Oath.

• Edward Jenner: Developed the first vaccine (smallpox).

• Florence Nightingale: Founder of modern nursing, known for sanitation reforms.

• Gregor Mendel: Father of genetics, discovered inheritance patterns in pea plants.

Modern Milestones

• Human Genome Project: Completed in 2003, mapped all human genes.

• Telemedicine: Utilization of technology to deliver healthcare remotely.

• Vaccines: Advances in mRNA technology (e.g., COVID-19 vaccines).

Anatomy & Physiology:

• Focus on organ systems (e.g., circulatory, respiratory, nervous).

• Medical terminology basics: Common prefixes (e.g., hypo- = under), suffixes (-itis = inflammation), and roots (cardio- = heart).

Leadership Skills

HOSA emphasizes:

1. Styles of Leadership:

   • Authoritative: Decisive and clear direction.

   • Democratic: Involves team participation.

   • Laissez-Faire: Minimal supervision, relying on team self-management.

2. Conflict Resolution:

   • Active listening.

   • Collaborative problem-solving.

   • Remaining impartial.

HOSA Policies and Procedures

• Membership Dues: Include local, state, and national levels; dues vary by chapter.

• Dress Code:

  • Navy blazer with HOSA patch.

  • White shirt/blouse and navy/black pants or skirt.

  • Closed-toe shoes.

• Event Conduct: Participants must follow ethical standards and maintain professional behavior during events.

HOSA Programs and Partnerships

• Career Development Programs: Details on health science-related internships and career prep tools that help members transition into health professions.

• Scholarship Opportunities: Sponsored by HOSA partners such as Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. Public Health Service. These are significant resources for students pursuing healthcare education.

• Community Service Projects: Information on national service initiatives, like supporting the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

• Leadership Academies: Programs such as the Washington Leadership Academy focus on leadership skills tailored for future health professionals.

Key Events and Conferences

• International Leadership Conference (ILC):

  • Includes competitive events, leadership workshops, and networking opportunities.

  • Hosts annual election of national officers.

• State Leadership Conferences: Resources on state-specific events and qualification pathways for ILC participation.

• Washington Leadership Academy: Aimed at building advocacy and public health leadership.

1. COVID-19 Updates

• Booster Effectiveness: Studies suggest that updated mRNA vaccines (targeting newer variants) remain effective in preventing severe disease, though uptake has been slower compared to earlier phases of the pandemic.

• Long COVID: Research continues into the long-term effects of COVID-19, with new findings on organ damage, mental health impacts, and potential treatments.

• Global Vaccination Inequalities: Efforts are ongoing to ensure vaccine distribution in low-income countries, where vaccine access remains limited.

2. Gender-Affirming Care

• Policy Changes: States and courts are evaluating bans on gender-affirming care for minors, with debates centering on ethical, medical, and parental rights aspects.

• Health Impact: Studies highlight the mental health benefits of affirming care for transgender youth, such as reduced rates of depression and suicide.

3. Infectious Disease Outbreaks

• E. coli and Foodborne Illnesses: Recent outbreaks tied to contaminated produce emphasize the need for stricter food safety measures.

• Emerging Diseases: Reports from countries like Congo raise concerns about the global preparedness for outbreaks of diseases with pandemic potential.

• Flu and RSV: In the U.S., an uptick in respiratory viruses (influenza, RSV) has prompted renewed focus on vaccination and preventive measures.

4. Cancer Screening and Treatment

• Expanded Screening Guidelines: Lung cancer screenings have been broadened to include younger individuals and those with shorter smoking histories, aiming to catch the disease earlier.

• Precision Medicine: Advances in gene editing (CRISPR) and personalized therapies are showing promise in targeting previously untreatable cancers.

5. Mental Health Awareness

• Youth Mental Health Crisis: Reports highlight worsening mental health among teens, with increased advocacy for integrating mental health services into schools.

• Workplace Mental Health: Employers are focusing more on mental wellness programs as part of benefits packages.

• Teletherapy: Virtual mental health services have expanded access but face challenges around reimbursement and regulations.

6. Antibiotic Resistance

• Superbugs: Growing concern over drug-resistant bacteria underscores the need for new antibiotics and better stewardship of existing ones.

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Efforts to educate the public about appropriate antibiotic use aim to curb resistance trends.

7. Health Policy and Access

• Medicare and Medicaid: Updates to these programs, including expanded coverage for telehealth and mental health services, are being debated.

• Healthcare Worker Shortages: Staffing crises in hospitals and clinics are affecting patient care, with initiatives to train and retain workers gaining traction.

8. Nutrition and Public Health

• Obesity Epidemic: Focus on obesity rates and related conditions like diabetes, with new medications (e.g., GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic) revolutionizing treatment.

• Food Security: Rising food costs and shortages are worsening malnutrition in vulnerable populations.

9. Technological Advancements in Healthcare

• AI in Diagnostics: Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly being used for early diagnosis in conditions like heart disease and cancer.

• Wearable Health Tech: Devices such as smartwatches are being enhanced to track more advanced metrics, including blood pressure and glucose levels.

10. Climate and Health

• Heat-Related Illness: Record-breaking heat waves have sparked concerns about the health impacts of climate change, such as heatstroke and respiratory issues.

• Air Quality: Wildfires and urban pollution are causing respiratory illnesses to surge globally

Purpose of Parliamentary Procedure

• To maintain order during meetings.

• To allow all members to express their opinions.

• To ensure decisions are made democratically.

Key Principles

1. One Speaker at a Time: Only one person speaks after being recognized by the chair.

2. Majority Rule: Decisions are based on the majority vote while respecting the minority's right to be heard.

3. Rights of Members: Every member has equal rights to speak, vote, and participate.

4. Quorum: The minimum number of members required to conduct official business.

Order of Business

1. Call to Order: Chair starts the meeting and ensures quorum is met.

2. Reading and Approval of Minutes: Previous meeting minutes are reviewed and approved by members.

3. Reports:

   • Officers (e.g., President, Treasurer).

   • Committees (standing or special).

4. Unfinished Business: Items not resolved in previous meetings.

5. New Business: Introduction and discussion of new agenda items.

6. Adjournment: Official end of the meeting.

Types of Motions

• Main Motion: Proposes new actions or decisions.

  • Example: "I move that our chapter host a health fair."

• Subsidiary Motion: Alters or affects how a main motion is handled.

  • Example: Amending the main motion or postponing a decision.

• Privileged Motion: Urgent matters unrelated to the main business.

  • Example: Calling for a recess or adjournment.

• Incidental Motion: Questions about procedure.

  • Example: Requesting clarification on voting rules.

Steps to Make a Motion

1. Member rises and is recognized by the chair.

2. Member states: “I move that…” followed by the proposal.

3. Another member seconds the motion to show support.

4. Chair opens the motion for discussion.

5. Members debate, propose amendments, or ask questions.

6. Chair calls for a vote and announces the results.

Voting Methods

1. Voice Vote: Members respond “aye” or “no.”

2. Show of Hands: Members raise hands to signify votes.

3. Roll Call: Names are called, and each member states their vote.

4. Ballot: Votes are written to maintain confidentiality.

Amendments

• Motions can be amended to add, change, or remove wording.

  • Example: “I move to amend the motion by adding ‘in March’ to the end.”

Common Terms

• Point of Order: Used to address procedural errors.

  • Example: “Point of order! The speaker is off-topic.”

• Motion to Table: Pauses discussion on a topic until a later time.

• Call the Question: Ends debate and forces a vote.