Health Careers in Focus: WAU Students Thrive with HOSA Partnership

TAKOMA PARK, MD — At Washington Adventist University (WAU), science majors are finding valuable opportunities in health profession training, thanks in part to the university’s collaboration with HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America). This global, student-led organization, endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health and Human Services Department, focuses on developing leadership in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience. HOSA emphasizes career opportunities in the health industry and aims to improve the delivery of quality health care.

Dr. Samuel Perez, the chair of WAU’s Biology and Chemistry Department, speaks highly of the Attila committee, a student group at WAU dedicated to organizing beneficial initiatives for their peers. This committee’s work is crucial for helping students build professional networks, a vital component of undergraduate success in the U.S. educational system. 

According to Perez, while WAU’s department offers research, internships, and post-baccalaureate rotations, HOSA provides an organic platform for students to discover internships, rotations, and even opportunities for international travel.

Each university with a HOSA chapter manages its activities independently, with WAU’s chapter overseen by department officers and focusing on training future health professionals. The chapter has its leadership, including a president, ensuring a structured and student-driven approach.

WAU’s HOSA chapter recently participated in an event at Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring. This nonprofit organization’s primary mission is to provide free meals to low-income and hod a pivotal role in the Shepherd’s Table event, emphasizing the chapter’s commmeless individuals, addressing immediate nutritional needs and contributing to public health by mitigating hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable groups.

Charis McRae, vice president of the HOSA organization at WAU, playeitment to community service and health education. These volunteer activities align with HOSA’s broader objective to educate its members about the health profession while encouraging community engagement.

In conclusion, WAU’s association with HOSA, along with community outreach efforts like the Shepherd’s Table initiative, provides students with hands-on experiences. These opportunities not only enhance their educational journey but also prepare them for successful careers in the health sector.