The South Dakota HOSA-Future Health Professionals welcomed over 800 students to the conference on Thursday, March 30. The conference was held at multiple locations; Sanford Pentagon, Sanford Fieldhouse, USD Sioux Falls Campus and Southeast Technical college. Included in the conference were 55 events, 40 breakout sessions and 12 tours. In addition, students were able to partake in a robust college/career fair, keynote speakers, banquet and grand award session.
This annual event provides attendees with unique learning opportunities, competitions, academic symposiums, and networking with other students focusing on similar healthcare career paths.
Students can also compete for awards and scholarships with an opportunity to earn their way to HOSA’s International Leadership Conference, taking place in June. Brock Rops the Deputy Director for the South Dakota Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the Executive Director for the SD HOSA-Future Health Professionals, welcomed attendees, “We are about go beyond our limits. We welcome you all back to South Dakota HOSA, which has never been better. Today is going to be a great day, so make it so!”
The event was originally a two-day conference, running from March 30 & 31. Due to inclement weather, the event ran March 30 only, to allow students to return home safely.
SDAHO was excited to see so many young adults attend this year’s event. Stephanie Rissler, Communication Manager with SDAHO, attended, “The number of schools that brought students to this year’s HOSA conference is exciting. Seeing so many attendees is promising for the future of healthcare in South Dakota. SDAHO is honored to have been a sponsor and see firsthand the excitement this program is building. Brock Rops will join a panel conversation during our upcoming Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference, as we talk about growing our own healthcare professionals for the future. I look forward to his thoughts on the HOSA Leadership Conference and what he sees for the future of healthcare.”
To see a video recap of the day, visit SDAHO’s YouTube Page – Click here.
For more information on South Dakota HOSA-Future Health Professionals, visit their website at www.sdhosa.org.
