Keiser University’s West Palm Beach campus is pleased to host the HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) Florida Region IX Winter Leadership Conference and Competition for the second straight year. The event takes place on Friday, January 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 2085 Vista Parkway in West Palm Beach.
The conference includes health care competitions among middle and high schools, as well as postsecondary schools in the Region IX division. Over 850 students from Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and Martin counties are expected to compete in various competitions including clinical nursing, dental science, CPR/First-aid, interview skills, and a variety of other categories.
“Keiser University is proud to be hosting the regional HOSA competition and looks forward to seeing some of our students again advance to the state competition in March and potentially on to the national competition in June,” stated Kimberly Lea, West Palm Beach campus president. With over 62 percent of Keiser University students graduating annually in the STEM and health care fields, preparing students for these professions, which are critical to the State’s economy, remains an ongoing priority, she added.
Students who win in the five categories: Health Science, Health Professions, Emergency Preparedness, Leadership, and Teamwork will move on to the state competition held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista.
HOSA is a national student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). The goal of this organization is “to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people.”
Keiser University’s Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach campuses have students in Medical Assisting, Clinical Specialty, Prepared Speaking, Massage Therapy, and Persuasive Speaking.
“Last year two of our students won first place in the national competition and we are looking forward to supporting and encouraging our 2014 student competitors toward that same level of success,” said Dr. Thomas Creola, Port St. Lucie campus president.
