Business Fuel Medical Group, LLC recently sponsored a Clark County high school student to compete in the Health Occupations Students of America’s 39th annual International Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
Emily Mattsen, a student at Heritage High School in Vancouver, attended the conference June 22-25. The event offered opportunities to learn and enhance her leadership skills. Mattsen was introduced to various medical fields such as nursing, and she participated in educational symposiums to help prepare her for college. She also visited the Grand Ole Opry.
Mattsen recently completed her sophomore year at Heritage. In 2015 she joined HOSA, an international student organization established in 1976 to promote careers in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to people of all ages. She qualified for the state competition in competitive physical therapy events. Her second-place finish made her eligible to compete at the conference in Nashville.
According to a press release Mattsen, originally interested in becoming a veterinarian, credits HOSA with introducing her to the human side of the medical field. The competitions gave her the opportunity to participate in physical therapy exercises, attend workshops, learn CPR, and engage in public speaking. She also helped organize and host a local blood drive.
Mattsen hopes to attend the 2017 conference, which will take place in Orlando. She advises other students interested in participating in competitive HOSA events to study early.
