INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Members of Missouri HOSA participated in HOSA’s 47th Annual International Leadership Conference (ILC), on June 26-29, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Over 12,600 health science students, advisors, government and private sector leaders, judges, family, and guests gathered at the George R. Brown Convention Center to compete, learn, network, and celebrate HOSA’s 47th Annual ILC with members from across the United States, Canada, American Samoa, Korea, China, and beyond. Delegates took advantage of four exciting general sessions, an exhilarating keynote speaker, 145 educational symposiums, over 165 exhibits from companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations, and a special panel including Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen!
Dr. Rayne Rouce, a pediatric oncologist and physician scientist delivered the keynote address at the opening session of HOSA’s 47th ILC. Dr. Rouce’s research and clinical interests focus on refractory hematologic malignancies, specifically how to harness the immune system to recognize and attack cancers. In addition, she has led and served on many projects, advocacy groups, task forces, and community initiatives to enhance the number and diversity of young investors participating in cancer research, to enhance access to novel cell therapies and cancer clinical trials, and to provide a clear pathway for underrepresented minorities to excel in STEM careers. Dr. Rouce is also a rapper in her free time and got all of HOSA excited for the conference with her “HOSA Rap.”
Over 11,300 student members competed in one of HOSA’s 92 health-related competitive and recognition events. These competitors won at their local, regional, state, and country competitions to earn their spot at HOSA’s 2024 ILC! A total of 366 participants from 45 Missouri HOSA chapters competed in fifty-six (56) competitive and six (6) recognition events. Twenty-three (23) individuals and two (2) teams placed in the top 10, along with an additional seventy-two (72) individuals and chapters being recognized for their service and leadership.
Also recognized at the HOSA International Leadership Conference was Amisha Poojari from Mary Institute and Country Day School who served as the 2023-2024 Missouri HOSA President-Elect and now serves as Missouri HOSA’s State President. Amisha was honored for her commitment to HOSA through outstanding leadership in her state association and was named Missouri’s Outstanding HOSA Leader. Sophia Giltner, recent graduate from Saint Louis University was recognized as well. She was honored for her commitment to HOSA for starting the Saint Louis University HOSA Chapter and her continued support of Missouri HOSA by volunteering at the State Leadership Conferences and was name Missouri's Outstanding HOSA Alumni.
Missouri HOSA members received scholarships at both the state and international levels. Four (4) Missouri HOSA members received international scholarships and were recognized at the ILC. Tanvi Narendrula from Marquette High School received a $1,000.00 scholarship from American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Felicity Taylor from Rolla Technical Center received a $1,000.00 scholarship from CVS Health. Grace Bozarth from Lex La-Ray Technical Center received a $1,000 scholarship from McGraw Hill. Kevna Konduru from UMKC received a $1,000 scholarship from the National Consortium of Health Science Education (NCHSE). An additional 14 Missouri HOSA members received Missouri HOSA’s International Leadership Conference (ILC) Scholarship totaling $500.00 each. This scholarship was sponsored by the 2024 SLC Sponsors and was granted to first place competitive event winners or Gold Level National Recognition winners at the Missouri HOSA State Leadership Conference through an application process. The recipients included Aash Pammi from Marquette High School, Alexandra Tsygankov from Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Arjun Puri from Mary Institute and Country Day School, Ava Turner from Hannibal Career & Technical Center, Chinyere Omeife from Blue Springs High School, Chloe Redd from Dallas County Technical Center, Daksha Daggumati from Marquette High School, Deveshisai Chitturi from Liberty High School, Diane Li from Mary Institute and Country Day School, Ella Rohde from Troy Buchanan High School, Rebecca Garman from Blue Springs High School, Srithitha Kadiyala from Frontier Middle School, Stuti Dagupta from Ladue Horton Watkins High School, and Tanvi Narendrula from Marquette High School.
Lastly, the 2024-2025 Theme: Powered By People was announced at the Recognition Session of the International Leadership Conference.