Learn about HOSA as an international and state level organization, how to start a chapter, learn how HOSA can impact and benefit your health science classroom, and more!
Health Career Promotions Program Manager, KUMC Area Health Education Center
Tina is the Health Career Promotion Program Manager for the KUMC Area Health Education Center (AHEC). She coordinates all AHEC health care exploration activities for the state of Kansas and is also the Kansas HOSA State Advisor. Prior to this position, Tina spent 15 years in education... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:45am - 9:35am CDT RC 15711190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
This interactive presentation will introduce participants to the University of Kansas School of Health Professions and the U-CHaMP program. The session is designed to increase awareness of health professions degree programs, highlight career pathways in healthcare, and actively engage participants through a hands-on career exploration activity.
Participants will gain a better understanding of the variety of health professions careers available, the educational pathways required, and how U-CHaMP supports students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the mission and goals of U-CHaMP and its role in supporting students interested in health professions. 2. Identify degree programs offered through the KU School of Health Professions. 3. Connect healthcare careers to real-world patient cases, job responsibilities, and required education. 4. Actively explore health professions careers through an interactive matching activity.
2. Overview of U-CHaMP (10 minutes) • Mission and purpose of U-CHaMP • How U-CHaMP prepares students for professional health programs
3. KU School of Health Professions Overview (10 minutes) • Overview of the School of Health Professions • Introduction to select degree programs and career outcomes
4. Interactive Career Exploration Activity (10–12 minutes) Participants will work individually or in small groups using a set of five cards: • Card 1: Healthcare career • Card 2: Job description • Card 3: Patient case • Card 4: Diagnosis • Card 5: Interesting fact about the career • Card 6: Degree required
Participants will match the cards correctly, encouraging critical thinking and discussion around how healthcare professionals work with patients and within care teams.
5. Wrap-Up & Q&A (3–5 minutes) • Group discussion and reflections • Questions and next steps for students interested in health professions
As an outreach and recruitment specialist, Neely focuses on U-CHaMP recruitment efforts throughout the Kansas City metro area and surrounding counties. She is originally from Lee's Summit, Missouri, and she obtained both bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT RC 15711190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
This session provides an overview of recent updates to STEM and Health Science pathways, including alignment to industry needs and emerging occupations. Participants will learn about key revisions, rationale, and general pathway information.
Education Program Consultant, Kansas State Department of Education
My name is Brian Swaim, and I am an Education Program Consultant for the Kansas State Dept of Education. I oversee the STEM related pathways- Health Science, Bioscience, Engineering & Applied Mathematics, Automation Engineering, Aviation Maintenance & Repair, and Aviation Production... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT RC 15711190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
Advisory boards are required for most CTE programs—but too often they function as compliance checkboxes rather than strategic workforce partners. This session will explore how secondary and postsecondary CTE leaders can transform advisory boards from routine meetings into meaningful collaborations that drive program innovation, strengthen workforce alignment, and create direct student opportunities.
Drawing from practical experience in rural community college CTE leadership and high school level CTE programs, participants will learn how to recruit the right members, structure high-impact meetings, leverage labor market data, and turn advisory conversations into actionable outcomes. The session will provide ready-to-use strategies, templates, and implementation ideas that can be adapted to both high school and community college programs.
If your advisory board feels stagnant—or if you're ready to elevate it to the next level—this session will provide practical, replicable tools to make it happen.
Agriculture Division Chair, Perkins Co-Coordinator, Faculty, Fort Scott Community College
Sara Sutton is the Agriculture Department Chair, Perkins Co-Coordinator, and faculty member at Fort Scott Community College. A proud graduate of Fort Scott Community College, she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a master’s degree in... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT RC 15711190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
Looking to expand or launch health science pathways in your district? Kansas' Rural Health Transformation Plan is rolling out new funding to help rural high schools add courses and certifications, strengthen instructional capacity, and develop health care pre-apprenticeship models with local employers. Walk away with practical steps, funding details, and partnership strategies you can implement immediately.
Director of Workforce and Health Care Policy, Kansas Hospital Association
Jaron serves as the Director of Workforce and Health Care Policy for the Kansas Hospital Association. In this role, he coordinates the association’s federal health policy and advocacy strategy and drives efforts to align national policy with the needs of Kansas hospitals and patients... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT RC 15711190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
Industry-recognized credentials are becoming increasingly important in Career and Technical Education programs as schools work to better prepare students for employment after graduation. This session will explore the value of the OSHA 10-Hour safety credential as a foundational certification for students entering a wide range of career pathways.
Participants will learn how OSHA 10 helps students develop a strong understanding of workplace safety while also reinforcing professional habits that employers expect. The session will highlight how safety training supports workforce readiness, increases student confidence, and provides students with a credential that is recognized across multiple industries including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.
Attendees will leave with practical ideas for implementing OSHA 10 within their programs and strategies for connecting safety training to broader workforce preparation goals.
Justin Williamson is a Sales Executive with CareerSafe, where he works with school districts, technical colleges, and workforce development programs across the country to expand access to OSHA safety training and workforce readiness credentials. With 17 years of experience in ed... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT RC 18311190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
