Students from UH Hilo dominate awards at conference on health occupations

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Students from UH Hilo earned several top honors at the 11th Annual Hawai’i Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) 2016 State Leadership Conference.

By Susan Enright.

UH Hilo HOSA Team, eight students standing for group photo.
UH Hilo Team displays their award certificates at the 11th Annual Hawaiʻi Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) 2016 State Leadership Conference. (Left to right) Jerold Cabel, Alohalyn Espejo, Shane Naeʻole, Rhealiza Pira, Kelly Gani, Ridge Cabaccang, Sheldon Cabudol, and Kahaku Lum Ho. Courtesy photos, click to enlarge.

 

Students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo earned several top honors at the 11th Annual Hawai’i Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) 2016 State Leadership Conference held recently on Oʻahu. The students are majoring in a wide range of fields such as pre-med, pre-pharm, pre-nursing, kinesiology and exercise science, communication, psychology, chemistry, biology, and computer science.

Celia Mukai
Celia Mukai

“I appreciate the students’ willingness to go above and beyond by joining HOSA, being involved with its community service activities, and preparing for their regional, state, and national and international competitions,” says Cecilia Mukai, professor of nursing who serves as the UH Hilo HOSA chapter advisor. “Professionalism and teamwork are strongly emphasized in HOSA. I am confident that the students are well on their way to becoming excellent future health professionals.”

Mukai was honored at the event with an award for her five years of service as chapter advisor.

Student Awards

Public Service Announcement awards

  • The Public Service Announcement Team B comprised of Ridge Cabaccang, Sheldon Cabudol, Kelly Gani, and Kahaku Lum Ho captured first place for their PSA on “Sitting is Death: All about Physical Activity.” Each member gave an oral presentation in addition to displaying the PSA.
  • Team A, made up of Shane Naeole, Alohalyn Espejo, Rhealiza Pira, and Jerold Cabel, placed second for their PSA on the same topic.

Individual awards

  • Individuals winning top honors included Justin Fujiwara in Pharmacology and Roxanne Paragas in Medical Law and Ethics, which are both knowledge test categories.
  • Another first place finish went to Rachel Felix, who topped the field in the Health Professionals category of Nursing Assisting.
  • Devin Tanaka and Leslie Arce came in third in Human Growth and Development and Medical Spelling, respectively.
  • Lark Jason Canico was awarded Hawaiʻi HOSA State Ambassador.

Award for increasing members

  • Chapter-wide results saw UH Hilo claim first place recognition for a 90 percent increase in members from the previous year and third place for most HOSA members in the post-secondary division.

Next: International conference

UH Hilo’s HOSA chapter now moves on to the International Conference, scheduled for June 22-25 in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

About the writer of this story: Susan Enright is a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

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