April 24, 2025
Story by Joe Vinduska
Courtesy photo submitted
SWAGºÏ¼¯ HOSA – Future Health Professionals students attended the State Leadership Conference March 27-28 in Manhattan, which marked the 45th anniversary of Kansas HOSA.
The conference included a competition in which students participated in multiple events, including knowledge exams, hands-on skills assessments, team-based activities, and breakout sessions on topics such as medical ethics, mastering resilience, rural medical practice, and more. They also participated in a cadaver lab tour.
Competition results:
- Kaden Baird – First place, CPR/First Aid Team (with McCormick), second place, Medical Math, and first place, Respiratory Therapy.
- Hannah Dapogny – First place, Forensic Science Team (with Gallardo), first place, Clinical Nursing, and first place, Medical Math.
- Valeria Gallardo – First place, Forensic Science Team (with Dapogny), first place, Biotechnology, and first place, Behavioral Health.
- Aaron Deason – First place, Sports Medicine, and served as a voting delegate.
- Haley McCormick – First place, CPR/First Aid Team (with Baird), first place, Phlebotomy, and served as a voting delegate.
Kaden Baird was recognized as the HOSA Chapter Member of the Year.
Advisor Karen Gunther was honored for 10 years of service as a HOSA advisor and named Chapter Advisor of the Year.
All competing SWAGºÏ¼¯ HOSA members qualified to attend the International Leadership Conference (ILC) after earning first-place medals in their respective skill events, competing against national test scores and students from five other Kansas colleges.
The ILC will take place June 19-23 in Nashville, Tenn.
To help offset travel expenses, SWAGºÏ¼¯ HOSA will host a fundraiser at Freddy’s in Great Bend from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 29.