April 28, 1999

Traverse City hosts HOSA convention

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       Some of the hottest employment opportunities around today are in the medical field. Getting a head start on their future careers are students in the Medical Careers Technology program offered at the Career Tech Center by the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District.
Local students place in state competition

Outstanding Member
 Shawna Voice - Gold
Alivia Morden - Silver

Veterinarian Assisting
 Kayla Quillin - Bronze

Medical Assisting Clinical
 Alivia Morden - Silver

National Recognition Program
 Alivia Morden - Gold
Shawna Voice - Silver

First Aid/CPR
 Team of Matt Pillsbury and Chris Rikli - Gold
      Last week, these local medical careers students hosted 1,200 students from around the state at the 19th Annual Health Occupations Student Association Conference at the Grand Traverse Resort. The conference featured educational seminars on a variety of topics and included a career fair and interviewing practice.
      Students also pitted their knowledge and skills against each other in numerous competitions. They tested their professional training in areas such as dental assisting, medical assisting, CPR/First aid, creative problem solving, sports medicine and medical lab assisting.
      "The kids are great, this is a professional conference for them," said Leeann Fountain, an instructor in the Medical Careers Technology program.
      Six competitors from the Career Tech Center brought home gold, silver and bronze prizes for their performance, earning them chance to compete with students nationwide at the HOSA national conference in Nashville in June. They will spend the next few months perfecting their skills and raising funds for the trip.
      "Going to the conference will be a wonderful learning experience," said Shawna Voice, of Kingsley, a second year student in the Medical Careers Technology program. "I'll learn more about myself, get to compete with kids from all over the United States and meet a lot of people."
      Voice garnered a gold medal as outstanding member of the Health Occupation Students of America state finals and a silver medal in the national recognition program. After attending last year's state competition, also in Traverse City, she made it her goal to qualify for the nationals this year after coming so close.
      Last year, four local students went to nationals last year and found the experience invaluable. The raised funds from area businesses and paid for their trip themselves, spending four days in Orlando with thousands of other HOSA students from around the country.
      "Going to nationals was a reality check because there were so many people there from so many walks of life," said Matt Pillsbury, a second year student in the Medical Careers Technology Program, who is also attending the HOSA national conference this year. "You see more opportunities that you do in just this area."
      TBA's Medical Careers Technology program allows students to gain entry level skills to numerous medical-related fields, including nursing, pharmacy, sports medicine, veterinary, dentistry and medical records. The students begin the program as juniors in high school and gain their skills through a mixture of classroom instruction and hands on work experience. All students chose to enroll in the program and motivation to excel runs high.
      "I really strive to do good here because I pick the curriculum," said Pillsbury, whose interest in a medical career was sparked by his family, especially watching his dad help others as an emergency medical technician with the Elk Rapids Volunteer Fire Department. "It has been a wonderful program; I am doing something, going somewhere. My grades have jumped."
      Another benefit of the program is the hands on experience students gain, working in actual medical settings as aids or assistants. This allows them to determine early on if the career they are considering is something they want to pursue.
      "This program has really helped me clarify my goals," said Voice, who has aspired to become a nurse ever since a lengthy childhood hospital stay. "I went into it to explore nursing and find out I liked it before spending a lot of money on tuition. I found it is what I want to go into."