Washington Leadership Academy

On September 22, HOSA State Officers from all over the nation met in Washington D.C. for the opportunity to participate in the First Annual Washington Leadership Academy (WLA) sponsored by National HOSA.  While learning valuable leadership skills and working with other future health care leaders, the State Officers were able to visit many Washington D.C. area monuments and memorials, and complete their "Quest for Leadership."

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                  State Officers at Washington Monument                          Oflansas Team (Ohio, Florida, and Kansas State Officers) at

                                                                                                                statue of Einstein in front of National Academy of Sciences

The Quest led them to several locations around the Washington D.C. Mall area to discover truths about leadership pertaining to our Founding Fathers and how those ideas can be applied to their own leadership styles.  While gathering this information, they were able to share the mission of HOSA with other visitors and residents.

              At Lincoln Memorial                          The Four Freedoms at FDR Memorial                          In front of Supreme Court

Additional highlights of the Academy were: a visit to the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (which is located approximately 100 yards from the White House) for a briefing from Captain Robert Tosatto - National Director of the Medical Reserve Corps, as well as other guest speakers; a tour of the U.S. Capitol, including the Rotunda and the National Statuary Hall; and visits to U.S. Representatives' and Senators' offices.

                       The Zero Milestone in front of the White House                        On the west steps of the U.S. Capitol

The Florida HOSA Delegation personally met U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL - 9^th) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (TX).  In addition, we met with staff members from the offices of U.S. Representative Ander Crenshaw (FL - 4^th), U.S. Representative Ric Keller (FL - 8^th), U.S. Representative Kendrick Meek (FL - 17^th), and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (FL).

      Florida Delegation with Rep. Bilirakis                         At Rep. Keller's office                                Meeting with staff member

                                                                                                                                                                of Senator Nelson

At the conclusion of the Leadership Academy on September 25, a luncheon was hosted for the WLA participants in the Hart Senate Office Building.  Representatives and Senators from several states spoke to the State Officers and expressed appreciation to the HOSA organization for addressing the challenges facing the healthcare system and bid us continued success.

Be sure to contact your State Officers Jan, Andrew, and Miguel by e-mail or at the Leadership Development Conference in November to ask them about the Academy.  They would love to have an opportunity to share their stories with you!

since 10/16/07