A team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo earned several top honors at the 11th Annual Hawai’i Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Conference held recently on O`ahu.
The Public Service Announcement Team B comprised of Ridge Cabaccang, Sheldon Cabudol, Kelly Gani, and Kahaku Lum Ho captured first place for their PSA on Sitting is Death: All about Physical Activity. Each member gave an oral presentation in addition to displaying the PSA. Team A, made up of Shane Naeole, Alohalyn Espejo, Rhealiza Pira, and Jerold Cabel, placed second for their PSA on the same topic.
Individuals winning top honors included Justin Fujiwara in Pharmacology and Roxanne Paragas in Medical Law and Ethics, which are both knowledge test categories. Another first place finish went to Rachel Felix, who topped the field in the Health Professionals category of Nursing Assisting. Devin Tanaka and Leslie Arce came in third in Human Growth and Development and Medical Spelling, respectively.
Chapter-wide results saw UH Hilo claim first place recognition for a 90% increase in members from the previous year and third place for most HOSA members in the post-secondary division. The gathering also honored Dr. Cecilia Mukai for five years of service as the UH Hilo chapter advisor, and Lark Jason Canico as Hawai’i HOSA State Ambassador.
UH Hilo’s HOSA chapter now moves on to the International Conference, scheduled for June 22-25 in Nashville, Tennessee.