UH-Hilo HOSA students shine at virtual state conference

Eleven students from the University of Hawaii at Hilo earned top honors in various event categories during the recent 16th annual Hawaii HOSA–Future Health Professionals Virtual State Leadership Conference.

In the knowledge testing events, first place went to freshman Sophia Shea in epidemiology, freshman Alannah Shinde in health informatics and sophomore Zyrill Dayne Dela Cruz in medical math. Earning third place was sophomore Kit Neikirk in medical math and junior Christian Lopez in pharmacology.

In the health professions testing events, senior Jerrybelle Domingo-Recto earned second place in nursing assisting and seniors Rhodney Hernando took first place and Shayne Cabudol placed second.

In the health professions hands-on events, junior Jaclyn Tennett placed first for clinical specialty for her career portfolio of an emergency medicine physician, a video demonstration of a wound closure via suture and video of her chosen career and skill specialty.

Freshman Jennifer Nakano took first in the leadership event of researched persuasive writing and speaking for her speech and research paper “Technology Use: Does It Make Us More or Less Connected?” with senior Travis Taylor placing third for his research paper and speech on the same topic.

In addition, Taylor was re-elected to serve a second term on the Hawaii HOSA State Executive Council as postsecondary vice president.

The virtual conference had more than870 participants from throughout the state, ranging from middle school, high school and college students.

Dr. Jarred Prudencio of the UH-Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy and Lark Morin-Canico of the UH-Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine served as UH-Hilo advisors.

The UH-Hilo HOSA team next competes in the 2021 HOSA International Leadership Conference from June 23-26.