Boise State to host 25th annual HOSA State Leadership Conference

Boise State is proud to host the 25th annual Idaho HOSA - Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference March 11-13 with support from the College of Health Sciences.

"Idaho HOSA has spent 25 years empowering Idaho future health professionals to become leaders in the global community through education, collaboration and experience," said Gina Lyman, student leadership manager for Idaho Division of Career Technical Education and state advisor for Idaho HOSA. "HOSA is a premier Career Technical Student Organization, which has served future health care professionals around the world for 50 years."

More than 1,100 high schoolers from around the state will gather on Boise State's campus for prestigious competitions, leadership workshops and career exploration during the three-day event. The students all desire to have a career related to health care. The conference and competition helps them refine their skills, learn and network with like-minded students, health educators and professionals in the community.

The conference's events span five major categories: health science, health professions, emergency preparedness, leadership and teamwork. The competitions range in fields such as pharmacology, clinical nursing, CPR and first aid, job-seeking skills, health education and more. Top performers at the Idaho conference will represent the state at the International Leadership Conference in Indianapolis this summer.

"The HOSA conference is an incredible way to support and foster Idaho student interest in healthcare careers," said Joelle Powers, dean of the College of Health Sciences. "By bringing these high school students to campus we can not only orient them to campus life but showcase various disciplines and career track options available to them. We are so excited to have the opportunity to showcase the education and training they can receive that will help them launch into successful careers that make an impact on the health and well-being of our state."

"HOSA has enhanced my education by connecting classroom learning to real-world application," said Alexis Black, a Boise State kinesiology major who was involved in HOSA in high school and continues to be involved through Boise State's HOSA chapter. She is also a former Idaho state officer for the organization, serving as Region I and II vice president and post-secondary president. "Through competitions and hands-on experiences, I have been able to test my knowledge, apply my skills in professional settings, and receive feedback from healthcare professionals."

"Being part of HOSA in high school helped me develop leadership skills, gain hands-on exposure to healthcare-related skills, and connect with peers and professionals who shared similar career interests. That experience helped prepare me for both college and a future career in healthcare," said Leana Jack, Boise State kinesiology major and current president of Boise State's HOSA chapter. "HOSA has given me a strong sense of community by connecting me with students who share similar goals in healthcare and it has provided opportunities to grow as a leader outside of the classroom. Being part of HOSA has helped me feel more supported and confident as I navigate a challenging academic path."

"HOSA enhances my education by bridging the gap between classroom learning and personal and professional development," said Delaney Walter-Horejs, Boise State nursing major and current vice president of Boise State's HOSA chapter. "It reinforces the values of leadership, service, and growth in healthcare, and it continues to motivate me to become the best nurse and leader I can be."

The 2026 Idaho HOSA State Leadership Conference is grateful to its two title sponsors, Boise State's College of Health Sciences and Idaho State University's College of Technology, and its four platinum sponsors, Idaho State University Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Carrington College.

For more information about Boise State's College of Health Sciences, visit their page or email [email protected]. For more information about Idaho HOSA, visit idahohosa.org or email [email protected].

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