What are Recognition Events?
These are events that honor students, chapters, and chartered associations for their achievements. These events are not competitions against other competitors, but rather against a standard.
For over 140 years the American Red Cross (ARC) has provided compassionate service to those in need. The American Red Cross’ mission of preventing and relieving suffering everyday provides opportunities for volunteer service in numerous ways. The vision of the organization includes assistance to those impacted by disaster, preparing communities to be ready for disasters, access to safe blood and blood products, providing support and comfort for our armed services, and training individuals to save lives. The aim of this event is to inspire members to engage with the America Red Cross (ARC), to become lifelong advocates of the Red Cross, and to recognize both chapters and individual HOSA members for their participation in American Red Cross activities. Financial scholarship opportunities are available for selected projects as part of this event.
This recognition event has been developed in conjunction with SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration) to engage HOSA chapters and members in learning how essential good mental health -
emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing is to overall health and to introduce them to the concepts of mental
health promotion and substance misuse prevention.
The partnership goal is to help provide HOSA members with knowledge, experience, and opportunities to act
around their own emotional well-being (reflecting on their own mental health and use of substances) and how to
support their peers. This knowledge will also be valuable as a foundation in whole person health in their future
careers. Taking action in this area could be anywhere on the continuum of self-care around their emotional health. They
could be feeling stressed, lonely, isolated, anxious, depressed, or concerned they have a behavioral health
condition. Taking action in this area is no different than improving your physical health. It can include researching
resources, asking for help, having a conversation, starting to focus on self-care through meditation, journaling,
breathing exercises, or supporting a friend. In addition, HOSA members will learn how to seek help when
considering treatment options.
The Healthcare Issues Exam provides members with the opportunity to investigate, analyze and apply their
knowledge of current health related issues. This event consists of a multiple-choice test and one essay question that will be graded to break a tie. This event aims to inspire members to be proactive future health professionals and stay informed about current issues in the healthcare field.
HOSA Happenings provides members with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills required to communicate
information about the HOSA chapter in a manner that celebrates the chapter members and their achievements, as well as shares health related information with readers. This is a multimedia chapter communication event. For this recognition event chapters will select ONE (1) communication tool. All submissions that reach a pre-determined standard will be awarded a Certificate of Excellence. This event aims to inspire members to be proactive future health professionals and tell the story of their chapter throughout the year using whatever form of communication they choose (i.e.: print or electronic newsletter, website, blog, social media platform).
The HOSA Service Project involves a nationally identified partner who HOSA chapters can choose to support through volunteer service and fundraising. Local chapters plan service projects to support the selected organization. Chapters document their involvement and submit documentation via the online HOSA Activity Tracking System for the opportunity to earn recognition at the state and international levels. This event aims to encourage HOSA members to provide community service and collectively support the selected service organization.
The Barbara James Service Awards provides members with the opportunity to become contributing members of their communities by performing worthy volunteer community service hours related to health. The Barbara James Service Award is in memory of Barbara James, 1982-83 HOSA Inc. Board Chairman. Her leadership skills and contributions to HOSA exemplify the caring and compassion of HOSA members. This award aims to inspire members to be proactive future health professionals and recognize individual HOSA members who have a commitment to community service in health.