The most urgent question in healthcare isn’t just about technology or cost—it’s about people. Recorded at the Ideagen Global Leadership Summit near the UN General Assembly, this episode features Bergen Morehouse, Executive Director of HOSA, and Ria Mohan, International President of HOSA, on a bold, student-led solution to workforce shortages: start earlier, lead differently, and connect classrooms directly to the real world of care.
We explore how HOSA operates as a global talent pipeline from middle school through college—blending technical education with the professional skills employers value most: leadership, teamwork, and communication. Ria reframes leadership as listening first and serving with, not for, while Bergen outlines how to meet the most critical workforce gaps in allied health and clinical roles.
From safe, competitive events that let students test careers early to mentorship ladders that carry them from middle school to alumni status, HOSA offers a visible, achievable pathway. The conversation also goes global—touching on chapters in China, Canada, Korea, Germany, Italy, and Turkey—where cultural diversity strengthens empathy and patient care.
What makes this model work is proximity. HOSA programs are embedded directly into school-day health science curricula, where advisors can spark confidence, connect students with internships and scholarships, and partner with leading companies to create meaningful exposure.
If you care about the future of healthcare, talent development, youth empowerment, or global leadership, this conversation offers a practical, optimistic blueprint.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_03 (00:13):
Okay, everybody, we're back at the Idea Gen
Global Leadership Summit 2025.
We have another incredibleinterview as we inch toward the
closing bell ceremony.
I'd like to invite up BergenMorehouse, Executive Director of
Host of Future HealthProfessionals.
Bergen, welcome.
(00:34):
And Rhea Mohan, InternationalPresident of Host of Future
Health Professionals.
Rhea, welcome.
And so here we are.
Here we are on the sidelines ofthe United Nations General
Assembly.
We have the only organizationpre-post-secondary that is all
(00:57):
healthcare on the planet, whichis the pipeline of our nation's
future health professionals,HOSA.
Incredible diversity in thepipeline.
We've built, you know,incredible pipelines into all of
the Allied health professions.
And you two are leading the wayright now.
No pressure.
And so I'd like to ask you, whatis HOSA, RIA, for our global
(01:22):
audience?
SPEAKER_01 (01:22):
Absolutely.
HOSA is an internationalstudent-led organization made up
of student leaders who arereally looking to empower the
future of health.
And we do this through a varietyof ways.
We have competitive events,scholarships, internships, job
shadowing opportunities, andreally just finding ways to
expose our student leaders intodifferent avenues of health so
(01:44):
that they can really seethemselves as confident change
makers through any sector ofhealth.
And we do that through a varietyof ways in HOSEN.
And we're really fortunate to behere to be connecting with so
many visionary leaders who arehelping us with this mission.
SPEAKER_03 (01:58):
And so Bergen, you're a newly minted executive
director, my gosh, you know, andalong with that, you know, I
believe that you knowleadership, leaders stand on the
shoulders of those that precededthem often.
But you need the courage to dothings, maybe change, do things
that you know you move in adifferent direction or whatever
(02:19):
it may be.
Now you have this pipeline,there's three million alumni.
Is that about right?
SPEAKER_00 (02:23):
Yeah, three million alumni out there.
SPEAKER_03 (02:25):
Since 1976, what do you see?
You've you've just taken overthe organization as executive
director.
What's your vision for thefuture?
SPEAKER_00 (02:32):
I think HOSA has a really unique opportunity right
now to really impact thehealthcare workforce pipeline.
We know that we hear fromindustry, where are we finding
the talent?
Where are people coming from?
How do we recruit them?
How do we develop them?
And we know the shortages inhealthcare, not just in
physicians but across all Alliedhealth fields.
(02:52):
There are shortages today, thereare shortages when you look at
the projections five, ten yearsdown the road.
And HOSA is that solution.
And like Rhea said, we aredeveloping students from middle
school all the way up throughcollege, and not only are we
teaching them those technicalskills and those clinical skills
that they need to succeed in theindustry, but we're teaching
(03:15):
them the professional skills.
It's again what industry istelling us.
It's the leadership, it's theteamwork, it's the communication
skills.
We're helping develop really,really good people like RIA who
are gonna fill that talentpipeline.
SPEAKER_03 (03:29):
You know, and that's and that's the important piece
is to think about how you'realigning with industry.
And here's the other startlingthing that maybe a lot of the
people in our global globalaudience don't know, which is
the organization's almost 50years old.
50 years.
And I've been in the room whenyou all have been telling the
story.
And you're telling the story,and you say, Yeah, we we have
(03:50):
high school students that arebeing taught leadership skills,
by the way, we'll talk aboutthat a little bit later.
And they're going intohealthcare.
And I remember early on severalyears ago, corporates would say,
Well, high school, what are wegonna do with these high school?
You know, and it's like we needwe need people right now.
But now they're looking formiddle schoolers.
(04:12):
These companies are figured outthat my gosh, you've got to grab
their attention, you've got to,they've got to grab your
attention so much sooner.
Is that what you're seeingamongst your peers?
SPEAKER_01 (04:22):
100%.
Um, I think a lot of our studentleaders are looking toward
mentors, and so our middleschoolers are looking toward our
high school students, our highschool students are looking
toward our post-secondarycollegiate division, and so
starting younger, we're seeingthat a lot of students are
looking toward um wanting tolaunch their careers in a way
where they're following thefootsteps of high school
mentors, of post-secondarycollegiate mentors, of our
(04:43):
alumni, and um being able tocontinue that is just such a
fulfilling journey and one thatwe're seeing across all
membership divisions.
SPEAKER_03 (04:50):
And here's what's startling about RIA
see her talking from a phone,she's actually looking at me
when I'm engaging with her.
And and this is there's 299,999other HOSA students that are
being taught the same skills.
They're they're calledleadership skills.
So Peter Kuninga, who spokeearlier, his concerns will be
allayed by the fact that HOSA istrying to change that paradigm
(05:14):
with leadership.
And so, Bergen, talk a littlebit about leadership and why
leadership is so important toHOSA.
SPEAKER_00 (05:19):
Oh, it's key.
I mean, it's one of ourfoundational pillars.
And and again, it's it's thoseskills that you know you say
intangible, right?
But they're extremely tangibleand they're extremely needed.
And it's what industry islooking for, and it's what has
sometimes been missing.
And so when we create platformsfor our students to showcase
their strengths, showcase theirskills, and we recognize them
(05:41):
for that, um, it really helpsdevelop that self-confidence in
them.
And then it doesn't matter.
We of course want them to gointo health from our
perspective, but if they don't,they're gonna fill your talent
pipeline.
Um, and so whatever path they godown, we feel like we've made an
impact because of thatleadership component.
SPEAKER_03 (05:55):
And so, Rhea, what gave you the courage to join
HOSA?
Like it took a moment, right?
You had to say, Well, I want tojoin this organization.
How did you even get involved?
And now you're the internationalpresident.
SPEAKER_01 (06:06):
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03 (06:06):
No pressure, in countries all across the world.
HOSA's in China, right, SouthKorea, Germany.
I know so many countries,Canada, right?
So many countries.
SPEAKER_01 (06:14):
Um, this is a really good question, and one that I've
thought about a lot as you know,I'm reflecting on my HOSA
journey.
Growing up, I've definitely hadthe privilege of learning from
leaders who view their roles notas service for others, but
rather service with others,right?
And that's something that Iobserved when I first walked
into Juanita High School, whereI was um, you know, walking in
(06:35):
as a ninth grader to my firstHOSA meeting, and I watched
these leaders stand shoulder toshoulder with these members, and
they didn't elevate themselveson a pedestal, they were there
to serve alongside them, andthat's something that I wanted
to be a part of, and that'ssomething that I wanted to
embody, and something that theInternational Executive Council
embodies, and so that's reallywhere my HOSA journey started is
(06:56):
that in that classroom where Iwas able to witness
collaboration and I wanted tofeel a part of that community.
SPEAKER_03 (07:01):
And I think it's important to note as well that
while we welcome Bergen as theexecutive director, this is a
student-led, student-runorganization.
Talk a little bit about that.
SPEAKER_01 (07:11):
Absolutely.
Uh, the heartbeat of HOSA reallyis our membership, right?
As you talked about how HOSA isacross the world, I could
reflect on my HOSA journey andthink about every life-changing
experience that I've hadtraveling the world and going to
conferences and speaking likethis.
But at the end of the day, it'snot being on stage, it's not
being under the bright lightsthat makes HOSA HOSA.
It's the over 330,000 memberswho each have a unique story,
(07:35):
who each have a unique strengthto share.
And being a student-ledorganization, that means that
every student has somethingunique to bring to the table,
right?
There's no one else in thisworld who's better at being
yourself than you.
And each of those studentsbrings something magical and
special to the table that wewant to hear and we want to see.
And that's what makes HOSA somagical is that all of us are
able to bring somethingdifferent, and that's why we
(07:56):
have the leaders that we do.
SPEAKER_03 (07:58):
And that's a you know, an important piece is that
you know, with you know, whereI'm in Washington and we have
the you know, dialogue anddiscourse and things that
happen.
And uh what I love about HOSA isthat the leadership models that.
I mean, it's it's it's all abouthelping others, and it's
inherent within healthcare,right, to be a servant leader
(08:21):
and all of that.
But I think if we could take afew nuggets from what HOSA does
to empower these three 330,000students, as you said, I think
it would really truly change theworld.
Can you imagine like bring aHOSA program to the halls of
Congress or wherever it may beand and and talk about you know
(08:41):
arguing the issue but then youknow moving on?
It's a better way to uh tofunction.
SPEAKER_00 (08:51):
We say it all the time.
We have a a conference, anannual conference everywhere
every year in June, um, and itbrings 15,000 people just like
RIA together.
And so if you ever arequestioning what the future
looks like, if you're losingthat little bit of hope, you
need that energy, come to aconference, get our students in
front of industry, in front ofpeople, or in front of leaders,
um, and it definitely uh willchange your mind.
(09:12):
I can get it.
SPEAKER_03 (09:13):
And next year Indianapolis, right?
SPEAKER_00 (09:14):
Indianapolis, yeah, for our 50th.
SPEAKER_03 (09:16):
So that'll be the 50th anniversary, and that is
true because I I believe thathope lives within HOSA because
when you're concerned aboutleadership, um your concerns are
allayed by meeting folks likeyourself, Rhea.
And so let's talk about that alittle bit deeper.
What does leadership mean toyou?
Like, what are the key elementsthat you see?
Like, if I if I didn't have thisone element, is it courage?
(09:40):
All the things we've talkedabout, which one is most
important to you?
SPEAKER_01 (09:43):
Absolutely.
Um to me, leadership is neverabout being the loudest in the
room.
I think leadership is more sogrounded in listening to the
stories of others and makingspace to really see people as
people and as human beings.
It's easy to see us all in suitsand maybe, you know, um you're
not making that space to hearsomeone, but leadership is
really about listening first.
(10:04):
And this is, I was recentlyreminded of this in DC at our
annual Washington LeadershipConference, which is where
student leaders from across thecountry will gather to advocate
for HOSA on the Hill and engagewith our National Service
Project and attend all theseworkshops.
But at the end of the day,leadership is what took place
after those workshops whenmembers would come up to us and
(10:24):
ask us questions, and I could belike, hey, tell me more about
you.
What are your lived experiences?
What does your hosted journeylook like?
What can I do for you?
And those genuine, meaningfulconversations is what I really
truly value about leadership andbeing able to form those
connections with people becausethose relationships extend way
past the halls of thatconference.
Those are relationships thatcontinue way past the event, and
(10:46):
um that's what makes leadershipin HOSA so meaningful.
SPEAKER_03 (10:50):
Just incredible.
So, Bergen, how about you?
So you're you're you're you'verun competitive events, which uh
why don't you describecompetitive events and then I'll
ask you a question beyond that.
SPEAKER_00 (10:59):
Sure, yes.
Um, competitive events is onecomponent that we have within
HOSA.
It's a platform that we use toallow students to explore areas,
various areas in healthcare tofind their passion and find
their purpose.
Maybe they think they want tostart out being a nurse and they
try clinical nursing, and nextthing they know they can't touch
blood, right?
So we want them somewhere else.
Um so it's really the platformthat we use just to help them
(11:19):
explore careers and health.
SPEAKER_03 (11:21):
And so the same question to you.
So what what what is thatmagical element of leadership
that you believe without doesn'tallow for it?
SPEAKER_00 (11:30):
Yeah, I think you have to bring people along with
you.
Um you can't you can't do italone, and developing the people
around you is key.
It's not about what you're doingin the position, but it's about
how you can empower andencourage others in their own
leadership.
And I think we we see that inHOSA, and we do a really good
job of that in HOSA.
We we set up or giveopportunities to our students to
run for local chapter officerpositions and local state
(11:54):
officer positions where they canhave opportunities like this at
the local level to develop thoseskills.
So really making it not aboutyou and the the title as leader,
but really developing others andbringing people um along with
you.
SPEAKER_03 (12:06):
How about international expansion?
So what countries just I don'texpect you to know all of them,
but what countries is HOSA innow and where where is it going?
Is it gonna take over the world?
I mean, what which wouldn't be abad thing?
unknown (12:16):
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (12:18):
So um we we have we are international.
I China and Canada have ourlargest membership.
There's about 10,000 membersinternationally between those
two associations.
Um but we have groups uh justthis week we had our first
chapter start in Turkey, um,Korea, Italy, Germany.
Um, so yeah, it's it's startingto grow, and of course we're
excited about that because it'sglobal.
Healthcare is global, leadershipis global, and we want to be
(12:40):
part of that.
SPEAKER_03 (12:41):
What about the diversity in the pipeline?
SPEAKER_01 (12:44):
Absolutely.
Um I just wanted to also touchon how this past March I had the
opportunity to travel to thenational, the China hosted
national leadership conference,um, and just wanted to speak on
that diversity and being able toconnect with students who may
not have known English or, youknow, there was a language
barrier there, but we spoke thatuniversal language of loving
healthcare and of wanting tomake a happier and healthier
(13:04):
world for everyone.
Um, so I was able to witness,you know, how their culture may
be different and how the waythey approach healthcare may be
different, but we were allunited in this same common
thread of wanting to make ahappier, more healthier world.
Um, and I think we all havesomething different to bring to
the table.
So the diversity there isshowcased through the different
(13:24):
lenses that we view healthcarethrough.
SPEAKER_03 (13:27):
And so I know you're helping and working with
partners, companies, the world'slargest companies, startups,
they come to you, you go tothem.
I mean, it's kind of aniterative process.
And so, how do how do if I'm aif I'm in HOSA, how do I get
exposed to any of the alliedhealth?
You you work with, you know, Ihelped create a pipeline into
(13:47):
all of the allied healthprofessions, but which how does
that even work?
Like, how does that happen?
SPEAKER_00 (13:52):
So we are we're really based at the local level.
Um, I think that's where thepower of our organization lies.
Yes, we have over three millionalumni, we have 300,000 students
that represents this year, butthe power of those connections
that are taking place in theclassroom between an advisor, as
we call them, the classroomteacher, and one of our hosts
and members, um, that's wherethat career exploration, where
(14:13):
that inspiration is happening.
We hear stories all the time.
It wasn't until my HOSA advisortold me they believed in me, or
in when my advisor told me thatI could be a state officer, I
could be the next RIA, that'swhen it clicked.
So, really that's happening atthe local level, and then we
have this power of ourrelationships and partnerships
and people behind it to supportwhat they're doing day-to-day.
SPEAKER_03 (14:34):
And I think it's important to also note that HOSA
is not an after-school program,it's part of the in-school
health science curriculum,right?
And so these advisors are in theschools.
So these companies andorganizations that work with you
all, it's very difficult.
How do you begin to get into aschool system, you know, in
Kentucky or wherever you are?
With HOSA, in a partnership withHOSA, you're able to actually
(14:57):
reach into the schools.
And in both, you know, from aninput standpoint and an output
standpoint to educate uh youknow the students, the future
health professionals.
And um, I'd like to close withwhat is your call to action,
Bergen?
SPEAKER_00 (15:13):
Our call to action would be to get involved with
youth.
Of course, we'd love it if youget involved with HOSA, but
whatever that looks like in yourindustry or your your area, you
get involved with youth.
It's gonna impact yourorganization, they're gonna make
a difference, and you're gonnafeel inspired.
SPEAKER_03 (15:27):
Bria, final word.
SPEAKER_01 (15:28):
Just picking back off what uh Bergen said, I would
just encourage you all toinclude youth empowerment in
your conversations.
Um, this is kind of reminding meof the international theme of
HOSA this year, which ischampions of change.
And I just want to reiteratethat youth are part of that.
We are the champions of change.
We we've listened to suchinspiring youth leaders here
today, and um they aretestimonials to how they are
(15:50):
powering the future and how theyare going to create change that
we should all be a part of, andso I would just encourage you to
include us in yourconversations.
SPEAKER_03 (15:57):
And how do we find out more about HOSA?
SPEAKER_02 (15:59):
HOSA.org and come to Indy in J in June to see 15,000
of the people.
SPEAKER_03 (16:03):
What are the dates?
SPEAKER_02 (16:05):
June 17th to June 20th.
SPEAKER_03 (16:06):
There you go, 2026.
Thank you so very much.
SPEAKER_02 (16:09):
Thank you.
Okay, everybody, we're back at the Idea Gen
Global Leadership Summit 2025.
We have another incredibleinterview as we inch toward the
closing bell ceremony.
I'd like to invite up BergenMorehouse, Executive Director of
Host of Future HealthProfessionals.
Bergen, welcome.
(00:34):
And Rhea Mohan, InternationalPresident of Host of Future
Health Professionals.
Rhea, welcome.
And so here we are.
Here we are on the sidelines ofthe United Nations General
Assembly.
We have the only organizationpre-post-secondary that is all
(00:57):
healthcare on the planet, whichis the pipeline of our nation's
future health professionals,HOSA.
Incredible diversity in thepipeline.
We've built, you know,incredible pipelines into all of
the Allied health professions.
And you two are leading the wayright now.
No pressure.
And so I'd like to ask you, whatis HOSA, RIA, for our global
(01:22):
audience?
SPEAKER_01 (01:22):
Absolutely.
HOSA is an internationalstudent-led organization made up
of student leaders who arereally looking to empower the
future of health.
And we do this through a varietyof ways.
We have competitive events,scholarships, internships, job
shadowing opportunities, andreally just finding ways to
expose our student leaders intodifferent avenues of health so
(01:44):
that they can really seethemselves as confident change
makers through any sector ofhealth.
And we do that through a varietyof ways in HOSEN.
And we're really fortunate to behere to be connecting with so
many visionary leaders who arehelping us with this mission.
SPEAKER_03 (01:58):
And so Bergen, you're a newly minted executive
director, my gosh, you know, andalong with that, you know, I
believe that you knowleadership, leaders stand on the
shoulders of those that precededthem often.
But you need the courage to dothings, maybe change, do things
that you know you move in adifferent direction or whatever
(02:19):
it may be.
Now you have this pipeline,there's three million alumni.
Is that about right?
SPEAKER_00 (02:23):
Yeah, three million alumni out there.
SPEAKER_03 (02:25):
Since 1976, what do you see?
You've you've just taken overthe organization as executive
director.
What's your vision for thefuture?
SPEAKER_00 (02:32):
I think HOSA has a really unique opportunity right
now to really impact thehealthcare workforce pipeline.
We know that we hear fromindustry, where are we finding
the talent?
Where are people coming from?
How do we recruit them?
How do we develop them?
And we know the shortages inhealthcare, not just in
physicians but across all Alliedhealth fields.
(02:52):
There are shortages today, thereare shortages when you look at
the projections five, ten yearsdown the road.
And HOSA is that solution.
And like Rhea said, we aredeveloping students from middle
school all the way up throughcollege, and not only are we
teaching them those technicalskills and those clinical skills
that they need to succeed in theindustry, but we're teaching
(03:15):
them the professional skills.
It's again what industry istelling us.
It's the leadership, it's theteamwork, it's the communication
skills.
We're helping develop really,really good people like RIA who
are gonna fill that talentpipeline.
SPEAKER_03 (03:29):
You know, and that's and that's the important piece
is to think about how you'realigning with industry.
And here's the other startlingthing that maybe a lot of the
people in our global globalaudience don't know, which is
the organization's almost 50years old.
50 years.
And I've been in the room whenyou all have been telling the
story.
And you're telling the story,and you say, Yeah, we we have
(03:50):
high school students that arebeing taught leadership skills,
by the way, we'll talk aboutthat a little bit later.
And they're going intohealthcare.
And I remember early on severalyears ago, corporates would say,
Well, high school, what are wegonna do with these high school?
You know, and it's like we needwe need people right now.
But now they're looking formiddle schoolers.
(04:12):
These companies are figured outthat my gosh, you've got to grab
their attention, you've got to,they've got to grab your
attention so much sooner.
Is that what you're seeingamongst your peers?
SPEAKER_01 (04:22):
100%.
Um, I think a lot of our studentleaders are looking toward
mentors, and so our middleschoolers are looking toward our
high school students, our highschool students are looking
toward our post-secondarycollegiate division, and so
starting younger, we're seeingthat a lot of students are
looking toward um wanting tolaunch their careers in a way
where they're following thefootsteps of high school
mentors, of post-secondarycollegiate mentors, of our
(04:43):
alumni, and um being able tocontinue that is just such a
fulfilling journey and one thatwe're seeing across all
membership divisions.
SPEAKER_03 (04:50):
And here's what's startling about RIA
see her talking from a phone,she's actually looking at me
when I'm engaging with her.
And and this is there's 299,999other HOSA students that are
being taught the same skills.
They're they're calledleadership skills.
So Peter Kuninga, who spokeearlier, his concerns will be
allayed by the fact that HOSA istrying to change that paradigm
(05:14):
with leadership.
And so, Bergen, talk a littlebit about leadership and why
leadership is so important toHOSA.
SPEAKER_00 (05:19):
Oh, it's key.
I mean, it's one of ourfoundational pillars.
And and again, it's it's thoseskills that you know you say
intangible, right?
But they're extremely tangibleand they're extremely needed.
And it's what industry islooking for, and it's what has
sometimes been missing.
And so when we create platformsfor our students to showcase
their strengths, showcase theirskills, and we recognize them
(05:41):
for that, um, it really helpsdevelop that self-confidence in
them.
And then it doesn't matter.
We of course want them to gointo health from our
perspective, but if they don't,they're gonna fill your talent
pipeline.
Um, and so whatever path they godown, we feel like we've made an
impact because of thatleadership component.
SPEAKER_03 (05:55):
And so, Rhea, what gave you the courage to join
HOSA?
Like it took a moment, right?
You had to say, Well, I want tojoin this organization.
How did you even get involved?
And now you're the internationalpresident.
SPEAKER_01 (06:06):
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03 (06:06):
No pressure, in countries all across the world.
HOSA's in China, right, SouthKorea, Germany.
I know so many countries,Canada, right?
So many countries.
SPEAKER_01 (06:14):
Um, this is a really good question, and one that I've
thought about a lot as you know,I'm reflecting on my HOSA
journey.
Growing up, I've definitely hadthe privilege of learning from
leaders who view their roles notas service for others, but
rather service with others,right?
And that's something that Iobserved when I first walked
into Juanita High School, whereI was um, you know, walking in
(06:35):
as a ninth grader to my firstHOSA meeting, and I watched
these leaders stand shoulder toshoulder with these members, and
they didn't elevate themselveson a pedestal, they were there
to serve alongside them, andthat's something that I wanted
to be a part of, and that'ssomething that I wanted to
embody, and something that theInternational Executive Council
embodies, and so that's reallywhere my HOSA journey started is
(06:56):
that in that classroom where Iwas able to witness
collaboration and I wanted tofeel a part of that community.
SPEAKER_03 (07:01):
And I think it's important to note as well that
while we welcome Bergen as theexecutive director, this is a
student-led, student-runorganization.
Talk a little bit about that.
SPEAKER_01 (07:11):
Absolutely.
Uh, the heartbeat of HOSA reallyis our membership, right?
As you talked about how HOSA isacross the world, I could
reflect on my HOSA journey andthink about every life-changing
experience that I've hadtraveling the world and going to
conferences and speaking likethis.
But at the end of the day, it'snot being on stage, it's not
being under the bright lightsthat makes HOSA HOSA.
It's the over 330,000 memberswho each have a unique story,
(07:35):
who each have a unique strengthto share.
And being a student-ledorganization, that means that
every student has somethingunique to bring to the table,
right?
There's no one else in thisworld who's better at being
yourself than you.
And each of those studentsbrings something magical and
special to the table that wewant to hear and we want to see.
And that's what makes HOSA somagical is that all of us are
able to bring somethingdifferent, and that's why we
(07:56):
have the leaders that we do.
SPEAKER_03 (07:58):
And that's a you know, an important piece is that
you know, with you know, whereI'm in Washington and we have
the you know, dialogue anddiscourse and things that
happen.
And uh what I love about HOSA isthat the leadership models that.
I mean, it's it's it's all abouthelping others, and it's
inherent within healthcare,right, to be a servant leader
(08:21):
and all of that.
But I think if we could take afew nuggets from what HOSA does
to empower these three 330,000students, as you said, I think
it would really truly change theworld.
Can you imagine like bring aHOSA program to the halls of
Congress or wherever it may beand and and talk about you know
(08:41):
arguing the issue but then youknow moving on?
It's a better way to uh tofunction.
SPEAKER_00 (08:51):
We say it all the time.
We have a a conference, anannual conference everywhere
every year in June, um, and itbrings 15,000 people just like
RIA together.
And so if you ever arequestioning what the future
looks like, if you're losingthat little bit of hope, you
need that energy, come to aconference, get our students in
front of industry, in front ofpeople, or in front of leaders,
um, and it definitely uh willchange your mind.
(09:12):
I can get it.
SPEAKER_03 (09:13):
And next year Indianapolis, right?
SPEAKER_00 (09:14):
Indianapolis, yeah, for our 50th.
SPEAKER_03 (09:16):
So that'll be the 50th anniversary, and that is
true because I I believe thathope lives within HOSA because
when you're concerned aboutleadership, um your concerns are
allayed by meeting folks likeyourself, Rhea.
And so let's talk about that alittle bit deeper.
What does leadership mean toyou?
Like, what are the key elementsthat you see?
Like, if I if I didn't have thisone element, is it courage?
(09:40):
All the things we've talkedabout, which one is most
important to you?
SPEAKER_01 (09:43):
Absolutely.
Um to me, leadership is neverabout being the loudest in the
room.
I think leadership is more sogrounded in listening to the
stories of others and makingspace to really see people as
people and as human beings.
It's easy to see us all in suitsand maybe, you know, um you're
not making that space to hearsomeone, but leadership is
really about listening first.
(10:04):
And this is, I was recentlyreminded of this in DC at our
annual Washington LeadershipConference, which is where
student leaders from across thecountry will gather to advocate
for HOSA on the Hill and engagewith our National Service
Project and attend all theseworkshops.
But at the end of the day,leadership is what took place
after those workshops whenmembers would come up to us and
(10:24):
ask us questions, and I could belike, hey, tell me more about
you.
What are your lived experiences?
What does your hosted journeylook like?
What can I do for you?
And those genuine, meaningfulconversations is what I really
truly value about leadership andbeing able to form those
connections with people becausethose relationships extend way
past the halls of thatconference.
Those are relationships thatcontinue way past the event, and
(10:46):
um that's what makes leadershipin HOSA so meaningful.
SPEAKER_03 (10:50):
Just incredible.
So, Bergen, how about you?
So you're you're you're you'verun competitive events, which uh
why don't you describecompetitive events and then I'll
ask you a question beyond that.
SPEAKER_00 (10:59):
Sure, yes.
Um, competitive events is onecomponent that we have within
HOSA.
It's a platform that we use toallow students to explore areas,
various areas in healthcare tofind their passion and find
their purpose.
Maybe they think they want tostart out being a nurse and they
try clinical nursing, and nextthing they know they can't touch
blood, right?
So we want them somewhere else.
Um so it's really the platformthat we use just to help them
(11:19):
explore careers and health.
SPEAKER_03 (11:21):
And so the same question to you.
So what what what is thatmagical element of leadership
that you believe without doesn'tallow for it?
SPEAKER_00 (11:30):
Yeah, I think you have to bring people along with
you.
Um you can't you can't do italone, and developing the people
around you is key.
It's not about what you're doingin the position, but it's about
how you can empower andencourage others in their own
leadership.
And I think we we see that inHOSA, and we do a really good
job of that in HOSA.
We we set up or giveopportunities to our students to
run for local chapter officerpositions and local state
(11:54):
officer positions where they canhave opportunities like this at
the local level to develop thoseskills.
So really making it not aboutyou and the the title as leader,
but really developing others andbringing people um along with
you.
SPEAKER_03 (12:06):
How about international expansion?
So what countries just I don'texpect you to know all of them,
but what countries is HOSA innow and where where is it going?
Is it gonna take over the world?
I mean, what which wouldn't be abad thing?
unknown (12:16):
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (12:18):
So um we we have we are international.
I China and Canada have ourlargest membership.
There's about 10,000 membersinternationally between those
two associations.
Um but we have groups uh justthis week we had our first
chapter start in Turkey, um,Korea, Italy, Germany.
Um, so yeah, it's it's startingto grow, and of course we're
excited about that because it'sglobal.
Healthcare is global, leadershipis global, and we want to be
(12:40):
part of that.
SPEAKER_03 (12:41):
What about the diversity in the pipeline?
SPEAKER_01 (12:44):
Absolutely.
Um I just wanted to also touchon how this past March I had the
opportunity to travel to thenational, the China hosted
national leadership conference,um, and just wanted to speak on
that diversity and being able toconnect with students who may
not have known English or, youknow, there was a language
barrier there, but we spoke thatuniversal language of loving
healthcare and of wanting tomake a happier and healthier
(13:04):
world for everyone.
Um, so I was able to witness,you know, how their culture may
be different and how the waythey approach healthcare may be
different, but we were allunited in this same common
thread of wanting to make ahappier, more healthier world.
Um, and I think we all havesomething different to bring to
the table.
So the diversity there isshowcased through the different
(13:24):
lenses that we view healthcarethrough.
SPEAKER_03 (13:27):
And so I know you're helping and working with
partners, companies, the world'slargest companies, startups,
they come to you, you go tothem.
I mean, it's kind of aniterative process.
And so, how do how do if I'm aif I'm in HOSA, how do I get
exposed to any of the alliedhealth?
You you work with, you know, Ihelped create a pipeline into
(13:47):
all of the allied healthprofessions, but which how does
that even work?
Like, how does that happen?
SPEAKER_00 (13:52):
So we are we're really based at the local level.
Um, I think that's where thepower of our organization lies.
Yes, we have over three millionalumni, we have 300,000 students
that represents this year, butthe power of those connections
that are taking place in theclassroom between an advisor, as
we call them, the classroomteacher, and one of our hosts
and members, um, that's wherethat career exploration, where
(14:13):
that inspiration is happening.
We hear stories all the time.
It wasn't until my HOSA advisortold me they believed in me, or
in when my advisor told me thatI could be a state officer, I
could be the next RIA, that'swhen it clicked.
So, really that's happening atthe local level, and then we
have this power of ourrelationships and partnerships
and people behind it to supportwhat they're doing day-to-day.
SPEAKER_03 (14:34):
And I think it's important to also note that HOSA
is not an after-school program,it's part of the in-school
health science curriculum,right?
And so these advisors are in theschools.
So these companies andorganizations that work with you
all, it's very difficult.
How do you begin to get into aschool system, you know, in
Kentucky or wherever you are?
With HOSA, in a partnership withHOSA, you're able to actually
(14:57):
reach into the schools.
And in both, you know, from aninput standpoint and an output
standpoint to educate uh youknow the students, the future
health professionals.
And um, I'd like to close withwhat is your call to action,
Bergen?
SPEAKER_00 (15:13):
Our call to action would be to get involved with
youth.
Of course, we'd love it if youget involved with HOSA, but
whatever that looks like in yourindustry or your your area, you
get involved with youth.
It's gonna impact yourorganization, they're gonna make
a difference, and you're gonnafeel inspired.
SPEAKER_03 (15:27):
Bria, final word.
SPEAKER_01 (15:28):
Just picking back off what uh Bergen said, I would
just encourage you all toinclude youth empowerment in
your conversations.
Um, this is kind of reminding meof the international theme of
HOSA this year, which ischampions of change.
And I just want to reiteratethat youth are part of that.
We are the champions of change.
We we've listened to suchinspiring youth leaders here
today, and um they aretestimonials to how they are
(15:50):
powering the future and how theyare going to create change that
we should all be a part of, andso I would just encourage you to
include us in yourconversations.
SPEAKER_03 (15:57):
And how do we find out more about HOSA?
SPEAKER_02 (15:59):
HOSA.org and come to Indy in J in June to see 15,000
of the people.
SPEAKER_03 (16:03):
What are the dates?
SPEAKER_02 (16:05):
June 17th to June 20th.
SPEAKER_03 (16:06):
There you go, 2026.
Thank you so very much.
SPEAKER_02 (16:09):
Thank you.
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