By RUBY IRANMANESH
For students interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, learning hands-on skills and participating in community service, a new club called Health Occupational Students for America has been introduced to CHS this year by junior Henry Vogelpohl.
From a young age, Vogelpohl knew he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. During the end of his sophomore year, he determined that he was going to start a club focused on health care, so he began researching and discovered HOSA.
“What drew me to HOSA was that it was a diverse organization where we’re not only doing competitions,” says Vogelpohl, “but also have the opportunity to gain connections and receive awards.”
Junior Henry Vogelpohl presents about HOSA competitions during a recent club meeting. Photo by RUBY IRANMANESH
The HOSA Foundation is a student-led worldwide organization with over 200,000 members that hosts competitions, offers training and provides recognition awards and scholarships for students interested in medicine. Competitions, which give individuals a chance to demonstrate their skills in front of health care professionals, will be held during March in Ontario, California, consisting of topics such as medicine, science and leadership.
“The skills we learn in preparation for the competitions will be very similar to what students learn in the sports medicine class at CHS,” says Vogelpohl.
Although the club’s ultimate goal is to compete in the HOSA competition during the spring, they will also be providing students with community service opportunities, such as making hospitality kits for homeless shelters and fundraising throughout the year by hosting events like bake sales.
“Henry has a lot of great community service ideas for the club,” says club adviser and CHS science teacher Mishele Newkirk-Smith. “I am excited to see HOSA grow and hopefully become part of the biotech program that we have here on campus.”
Apart from his dedication to HOSA, Vogelpohl also regularly volunteers as a patient companion at the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula. He has consistently volunteered at CHOMP for about a year and plans to continue throughout the rest of high school.
“I hope that HOSA can create a positive impact on the CHS community and bring more attention to the medical field,” says junior Maya Steinberg, vice president of the HOSA club.
Meetings are held in Newkirk-Smith’s room Thursdays at lunch.
