Wichita State University · Collegiate Chapter

Your future in healthcare starts here.

Wichita State HOSA brings together students from every health profession to build leadership, serve Wichita, network with professionals, and compete on a state and international stage.

Chapter founded at Wichita State
2023
Year HOSA was founded nationally
1976
Competitive events in the collegiate division
70+
Students at the International Leadership Conference
14,000+

About us

One chapter for every health profession.

Wichita State HOSA is the collegiate chapter of HOSA-Future Health Professionals at Wichita State University. We're based in the College of Health Professions and open to all Wichita State students interested in healthcare careers, whether you're in nursing, pre-med, pre-PA, dental hygiene, medical lab science, exercise science, or still figuring it out.

The chapter was started in 2023 by an anatomy and physiology educator in the College of Health Professions. It has grown into a student-led community focused on service, professional development, and excellence in healthcare knowledge.

As members of Kansas HOSA, we compete in HOSA's Postsecondary/Collegiate division alongside college chapters from across the state, with a path to the International Leadership Conference.

The mission of HOSA is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience.

HOSA's mission

Get involved

What members do.

HOSA is where your coursework meets the real world. Here's what a year in the chapter looks like.

  1. Leadership

    Hold an officer role, run chapter events, and serve as a voting delegate at state and international conferences.

  2. Professional skills

    Workshops and guest speakers that build the professional skills you'll use in clinicals, applications, and your first job.

  3. Career exploration

    Meet students and faculty from nursing, PA, dental hygiene, MLS, PT, public health, and more to find where you fit.

  4. Service

    Take part in service projects that put your training to work for the Wichita community.

  5. Networking

    Connect with peers in every health discipline, WSU faculty, and healthcare industry professionals.

  6. Competition

    Test your knowledge and clinical skills at the Kansas State Leadership Conference, with a path to the international stage.

Competitive events

Compete at state.
Advance to the world stage.

HOSA's competitive events program tests the knowledge and skills you're building in class. Collegiate members compete in their own division, separate from high school students.

  1. 1Chapter

    Prepare at WSU

    Pick an event, study with fellow members, and practice skills with chapter support.

  2. 2State

    Kansas SLC

    Compete at the Kansas HOSA State Leadership Conference each spring.

  3. 3International

    HOSA ILC

    Top-three finishers at state qualify for the International Leadership Conference in June.

Health Science

Knowledge tests on the foundations of medicine.

  • Medical Terminology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Medical Law & Ethics

Health Professions

Hands-on clinical skills judged against real protocols.

  • Clinical Nursing
  • Phlebotomy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Sports Medicine

Emergency Preparedness

Respond to emergencies and protect public health.

  • CPR/First Aid
  • CERT Skills
  • EMT
  • Epidemiology

Leadership

Speaking, writing, and career-readiness events.

  • Prepared Speaking
  • Job Seeking Skills
  • Health Policy Writing
  • Research Poster

Teamwork

Collaborate under pressure with fellow members.

  • HOSA Bowl
  • Biomedical Debate
  • Medical Innovation
  • Forensic Science

Recognition

Earn recognition for service and involvement.

  • Barbara James Service Award
  • America's Blood Centers
  • Chapter Recognition

Browse every event guideline on hosa.org

March 2026 · Century II, Wichita

Kansas HOSA came to our hometown.

The 2026 Kansas HOSA State Leadership Conference was the first hosted in Wichita and the largest in state history, with 1,233 attendees. Wichita State's College of Health Professions joined in to meet the next generation of Kansas healthcare leaders.

2026–27 calendar

What's coming up.

Exact dates for chapter meetings and state conferences are announced on ShockerSync and Instagram.

  1. Throughout the semester

    Chapter meetings

    Wichita State campus

    General meetings with guest speakers, workshops, and competition prep. Meeting times are posted on ShockerSync and Instagram.

    See ShockerSync
  2. Fall 2026 · date TBA

    Kansas HOSA Fall Leadership Conference

    Kansas

    Leadership development, competitive event prep, and career exploration with chapters from across the state. Usually held in October.

    Kansas HOSA conferences
  3. Early March 2027 · date TBA

    Kansas HOSA State Leadership Conference

    Kansas

    The main competition of the year: competitive events, expos, breakout sessions, and state officer elections. Medalists qualify for ILC.

    SLC details
  4. June 22–25, 2027

    HOSA International Leadership Conference

    Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia

    Top-three finishers at state compete against the best future health professionals from around the world.

    About ILC

Leadership

Meet the 2026–27 officers.

Student leaders who run chapter meetings, plan events, and represent Wichita State at Kansas HOSA. Interested in an officer role? Let us know when you join.

  • President

    Kadrian Ayarza

    Nursing

  • Vice President

    Samual Ekanem

    Biology

  • Treasurer

    Timothy Tuong

    Biology

  • Secretary

    Ke'Ahjahnae Rice

    Nursing & Psychology

  • Social Media Coordinator

    Sarah Ormiston

    Health Sciences

  • Recruitment & Volunteer Coordinator

    Arianna Ayarza

Chapter Advisor

Sam Smith, PT, DPT

Director of Scientific Foundations and Assistant Clinical Professor, College of Health Professions

Contact the chapter

Healthcare shadowing partners

Wichita hospital leaders who connect our members with clinical shadowing opportunities.

  • Head of Shadowing Coordination

    Brittni Mayagoitia

    Workforce Development Manager, Kansas

    Ascension Via Christi

    Founded Wichita State HOSA in 2023

  • Head of Shadowing

    Dave Stewart

    Market Director of Communications & Community Engagement

    Wesley Healthcare

Join

Ready to get started?

Any Wichita State student interested in a healthcare career is welcome. Here's how to join.

  1. Say hello

    Follow us on Instagram or send an email so we can add you to the member list and let you know when the next meeting is.

  2. Join on ShockerSync

    Find Wichita State HOSA on ShockerSync, WSU's student organization platform, and request to join.

  3. Affiliate with HOSA

    Pay annual membership dues to become an official member of HOSA, which lets you compete and attend state and international conferences.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Don't see yours? Email wichitastatehosa@gmail.com.

Do I have to be a health professions major?

No. HOSA is open to all Wichita State students interested in healthcare careers, including pre-med, pre-PA, pre-PT, biology, and undecided students.

I was in HOSA in high school. Is this the same organization?

Yes. Wichita State HOSA is a chapter in HOSA's Postsecondary/Collegiate division, so you're continuing in the same organization at the college level with its own set of competitive events.

Do I have to compete?

No. Competing is optional. Many members join for the speakers, service projects, networking, and leadership experience.

How much does it cost?

Members pay annual HOSA affiliation dues, and conferences have their own registration fees. Email us for this year's amounts.

What should I wear to conferences?

Business professional. Competitors also need to follow the official HOSA dress code for their event.