APECH HOSA chapter helps find the path to healthcare

Even though he plans to pursue a career as an archeologist, Dominik Gutierrez is an officer and active member of Arrowhead Park Early College High School’s chapter of Future Health Professionals.

The international organization was founded in 1976 as Health Occupations Students of America (it still uses the HOSA initials) to help students train for careers in the medical field. The APECHS chapter is also big on leadership training and community service, which appealed to Dominik.

“Through competition, HOSA piqued my interest in forensic science, an event I competed in last year and this year as well,” Dominik said. “Alongside a degree in history, I'm also pursuing a forensic science certification as well because of it. Even if you're not going into (medical school) or don’t find anything interesting at first glance, there’s something for everyone,” he said.

APECHS HOSA Chapter President Mackenzie Kahle is a little different story. Like Dominik, she is a senior, and was drawn to HOSA because of its focus on building leaders and helping the community. But MacKencie wants to pursue a career in public health. HOSA is helping her “learn how to be a medical professional” as she prepares for entry into medical school.

“It’s great to find a community,” Mackenzie said. “it’s a support network.”

Mackenzie said she “never spoke in class” until she got involved with APECHS HOSA, where “I found what I want to go into,” she said.

Mackenzie served as the chapter’s vice president for fundraising before becoming president. The Arrowhead Park ECHS chapter has 91 members, and more than 60 attended a recent HOSA meeting, Mackenzie said. The organization has a $12,500 annual budget and hosts a variety of fundraisers organized by its officers and members – like last fall’s Halloween dance – to help pay club expenses, including travel to HOSA conferences in New Mexico and across the country.

Mackenzie, Dominik and other APECHS chapter members will attend the New Mexico HOSA State Leadership Conference in April in Albuquerque and the international conference in June in Dallas.

Conferences include competitive events in everything from medical spelling and epidemiology to CPR and first aid, with APECHS HOSA members regularly bringing home medals for top finishes. Competitive events also include pharmacy science, physical therapy, sports medicine and veterinary science.

Chapter members also will compete for the HOSA Barbara James Service Awards, which recognize students for their participation in community service projects. For APECHS HOSA chapter members, that has included volunteering at El Caldito Soup Kitchen and at La Casa, Inc. domestic violence program’s Holiday Bazaar.  

APECHS will also compete for New Mexico HOSA 2023 chapter of the year, Mackenzie said.

APECHS HOSA’s bimonthly meetings regularly include professionals working in the medical field, said chapter advisor Richard Moreno, a teacher at the school. Guests at recent meetings have been a sign language interpreter and a social worker.

At APECHS and within its HOSA chapter, “The students are very, very bright,” Moreno said. “it’s a privilege to be at this school. The teamwork is monumental.”

The goal at APECHS is to train doctors, nurses and medical technicians, with the hope that many of them will live and work in Las Cruces and the surrounding area after they have completed their educations, Moreno said.

HOSA also connects students to internship opportunities, Moreno said. And, the chapter also helps members with college and job applications.

Including advisors and HOSA leaders, “It’s a support network,” Mackenzie said.

“It really is like a community,” Dominik said.”

APECHS, which was the state’s first early college high school when it opened in July 2010, has two programs, one STEM focused and the other a medical academy. ARECHS sophomores, juniors and seniors are dual enrolled at Doña Ana Community College and often earn associate’s degrees from DACC before they graduate from high school. The school also partners with nearby Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and NMSU to create university pathways, career opportunities and lifelong learning, Moreno said.

Visit http://sites.google.com/view/apechshosa and follow APECHS HOSA on Instagram @apechshosa.