Kansas HOSA has selected Ella Rhuems as the President for 2022-2023. 

The process of running for state officer is selective. HOSA students fill out an application, give a speech, and are voted on by over 1000 Kansas HOSA members throughout the state. Ella was first elected by her peers to be a KS HOSA officer; new officers are interviewed by the state HOSA advisors, then are graded and ranked on their ability to hold a particular officer position. Through this process, Ella was selected as the President.

Ella has the responsibility of leading a team of nine officers. They will meet for professional development, conference planning, and CTSO meetings in Topeka with KS officials. She will also travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the Washington Leadership Academy next fall.

"It's been my dream to go to medical school and then go onto bigger things. It means so much to me; when I started in this organization, I watched other PHS Students being the HOSA President, and I thought, 'Wow, I would really like to do that someday,' and here I am." Says Rhuems when asked what this means for her.  

PHS HOSA has a strong history of being competitive and a strong force at the state officer level. Ella will continue that tradition.

2022-2023    Ella Rhuems    President
2021-2022    Joy Lee        President
2020-2021    Joseph Lee      President
                               Joy Lee        Officer
2019-2020    Mikayla Kitchen Vice-President
2018-2019    Rachel Ruiz      Vice-President
                             Alesha Lawson  Officer
2017-2018    Rachel Ruiz    President 
2016-2017    Kelsey Fuchs    Vice-President
                             Justin Blythe      Officer
2015-2016    Kelsey Fuchs    Officer
                             Justin Blythe    Officer
2014-2015    Kelsey Fuchs    Officer

At Pittsburg High School, HOSA is part of our Health Sciences CTE pathway. It is a professional student organization that provides opportunities at the chapter (PHS), state, and international levels. HOSA members can participate in various Fall and Spring Leadership Conference activities. Chapters participate in service projects and help members to explore healthcare professions. 

"HOSA is a great way for future health professionals to gain experience in leadership roles. Our HOSA chapter is open to all students that are interested in learning more about healthcare professions." Says Stuart Perez, Health Sciences Educator at Pittsburg High School.

Each year PHS participates in the Kansas Fall Leadership Conference. This is an opportunity for HOSA members to learn leadership skills, network with other HOSA members, and learn from industry professionals. HOSA members that wish to participate in the Spring Leadership Conference work on skills or projects they will compete in at the conference. The Spring Leadership Conference provides networking opportunities, professional speakers, and competition. If students place 1st or 2nd in their event, they earn an invitation to the HOSA International Leadership Conference held during the summer.

Rhuems says she ran with the encouragement of the current President and friend Joy Lee " She just told me to do it...that I would make a great addition and that she was rooting for me. Just having someone in my corner really pushed me to go for the position."

PHS HOSA has an average of 50-60 members each year. The state has nearly 1000 members. PHS has had at least 1 state officer each year since 2014. This is as far back as records show at the state level. 

"We are fortunate to have our students as officers, especially the President. We are competing against larger programs, some of which are Academies. This speaks volumes about the level of success of our students." says Perez. 

When asked what impact she hopes to make a president, Ella answered, "I hope that all students across Kansas feel like HOSA is a place for them."