By Eve Nevelos, Editor in Chief ’24

Special thanks to Ms. Murphy for her contribution to this article.

The Indian Hills HOSA Future Health Professionals reached new heights at the New Jersey State Leadership Conference on March twenty-third and twenty-fourth. The event was held at the Burlington County Institute of Technology Westampton Campus. This was their first time competing at the state level. The chapter achieved recognition on both the group and individual levels.

HOSA encourages students to get involved in their school and work together to improve their community’s health. Three students received the Barbara James Community Service Award for healthcare service hours completed between July 1, 2023 and the February 15, 2024 deadline: Suhani Parekh (Gold, 250+ hours), James Sabino (Bronze, 100+ hours), and Isabella Susino (Bronze, 100+ hours). Andrew Jabaly, Nick LaMonica, James Sabino, and Dan Zeltser earned 4th place for their Public Service Announcement video on the dangers of fentanyl. Jabaly, LaMonica, Sabino, and Zeltser called upon the Hills community to donate their time to acting in their video PSA, creating a fun and engaging experience for those involved.

The Science, Medicine, and Research University Program, which many of the Hills HOSA participants are a part of, enabled students to watch a live-streamed surgical procedure on March twenty-first, enriching their understanding of healthcare careers in the operating room. Suhani Parekh and Isabella Susino earned 3rd place in the Health Career Display event. Parekh and Susino created a trifold board, mini-speech, and infographics about transplant surgeons for the event.

The chapter earned recognition in HOSA Happenings, a chapter communication challenge, thanks to Zareen Admani’s newsletter with details of our events and an article about heart health. Sophia Reynoso earned 1st place in the Job Seeking Skills event, including a resume, personal statement, and interview. Shannon Cassidy earned 2nd place in the Prepared Speech event for her interpretation of what it means to “Dare to Create” in the world of healthcare. Additionally, with their top 3 finishes, Reynoso, Cassidy, Parekh, and Susino all qualified to compete at the International Leadership Conference this June in Houston.