LSU’s HOSA: Empowering Future Healthcare Professionals Through Leadership, Service, and Competitive Excellence
February 18, 2025
LSU’s newly established Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter is setting a new standard for professional development on campus.
More than just a student organization, LSU HOSA provides aspiring healthcare professionals with hands-on experience, leadership training, and opportunities to excel in a competitive field.
HOSA president Luis Flores, a third-year LSU student majoring in Biology, was deeply involved in HOSA during high school and recognized the need for an organization at LSU that highlights leadership, development, and real-world exposure.
LSU HOSA 2024-25 Officers
“When I arrived at LSU, I found many great student organizations, but none offered the close-knit, career-focused experience that HOSA provided me in high school,” Flores said. “That’s why I knew bringing HOSA to campus was essential — to give students the opportunity to grow, connect, and take tangible steps toward their healthcare careers.”
Since its establishment in the fall semester of 2024, the student-led HOSA at LSU has made its mission to empower those passionate about healthcare careers by offering opportunities for personal growth, leadership, and hands-on experience.
Nationally, HOSA, founded in 1976, has more than 4,500 chapters and over 250,000 members. It provides resources such as competitive events, leadership training, and career exploration to help students thrive in the healthcare industry.
Service & Professional Growth
At the core of LSU HOSA’s mission is a focus on professional growth.
“Whether through hands-on volunteer experiences, speaker panels, or professional certifications, we always ask: How does this help someone grow as a future healthcare professional?”
LSU HOSA believes in the power of service and mentorship, actively participating in community initiatives like the LSU Food Pantry and Baton Rouge Zoo, while also emphasizing healthcare-focused volunteering through partnerships with organizations such as the LSU Student Health Center and Hospice of Baton Rouge.
The chapter also offers a HOSA Mentorship Program for local high school HOSA students, providing leadership training, and exclusive scholarships to support students financially.
“By guiding high school students through their own HOSA journeys, our members develop their ability to teach, support, and inspire the next generation of medical professionals,” Flores explained.
Competitive Excellence
HOSA’s Competitive Events Program includes 81 events in health science, emergency preparedness, health professions, and leadership. These competitions strengthen students’ resumes, develop clinical skills, and contribute to LSU’s academic reputation.
“At LSU, we take pride in being the best at everything we do, and that same drive translates into HOSA. What makes these competitions exciting is that students aren’t just competing for themselves — they’re competing for LSU.”
Flores, who competed three times with his high school HOSA chapter in Texas, placed first in the state in the Clinical Specialty event and competed at the International Leadership Conference.
The Louisiana HOSA State Leadership Conference will be held in Baton Rouge from March 31 to April 1, with LSU HOSA participating alongside other chapters in Louisiana. Students who qualify at the state conference will advance to the International Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN, from June 18-21.
These competitions are practical, skill-based competitions that assess a student’s ability to perform in medical emergencies, clinical procedures, and patient interactions in healthcare settings.
“At LSU, we take pride in being the best at everything we do, and that same drive translates into HOSA. What makes these competitions exciting is that students aren’t just competing for themselves—they’re competing for LSU,” Flores emphasized.
The Future of LSU HOSA
Despite being a new organization, LSU HOSA is growing rapidly. Future plans include partnerships with hospitals and clinics for extended shadowing opportunities, certification programs, and a free community health screening day.
To learn more about LSU HOSA or to become a member, find more information here.
Next Steps
Let LSU put you on a path to success! With 330+ undergraduate programs, 70 master's programs, and over 50 doctoral programs, we have a degree for you.