For Congress, the DC Council, and the Mayor's office
The District's next health workforce is already enrolled.
DC HOSA is the District of Columbia's chartered association of HOSA – Future Health Professionals. Our members are middle and high school students training for careers in health care, in District schools, right now.
15 Local Chapters. 750+ student members. About 560 people at our State Leadership Conference.
Figures are affiliated membership as of September 2026, per the HOSA CMS membership report.
Where DC HOSA fits in the District
The District has built real pathways into health care for high school students. DC HOSA is the student organization that runs alongside them all year: competitions judged by working clinicians, community service, and student-led leadership.
Advanced Technical Centers
OSSE's two centers, in Ward 5 and Ward 8, give any DCPS or public charter student free dual-credit health pathways, industry credentials, and paid internships. The ATCs are a DC HOSA partner.
DC HEAL apprenticeships
Paid, one-year health care apprenticeships for CTE graduates, led by the DC Hospital Association and CityWorks DC with District hospitals and health centers.
DC HOSA
Leadership, service, and skills competition for students in 15 Local Chapters in District public, public charter, and independent schools. DC HOSA operates under the sponsorship and oversight of OSSE and is not an independent legal entity.
- 1.9M
- Health care job openings projected every year nationally through 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The region's employers hire across state lines, so District students compete for District jobs from a standing start.
- 55%
- of CTE students in a career and technical student organization planned a career in their field of study, compared with 37% of those who were not in one. Research also finds competitions have the strongest positive effect of anything these organizations do.
Where our students already train
Our partners put DC HOSA members in simulation labs, clinical settings, and community health work before they finish high school.
- Children's National Hospital
- Occupational Therapy Simulation Lab, Trinity Washington University
- Safe Kids Worldwide
- So Kids SOAR
- GW EMT Training Program
- University of the District of Columbia School of Nursing
- Catholic University Conway School of Nursing
- OSSE Advanced Technical Centers, Wards 5 and 8
Meet the students before they are your constituents' nurses, EMTs, and doctors.
See how your office can helpHow your office can work with us
Every option is designed so that students do the preparation and your office spends as little time as possible. They are listed from the smallest commitment to the largest. We never ask public offices for funding.
For House and Senate offices, and for the District's Delegate and shadow delegation.
- 20 minutes, by videoTalk with a Local ChapterHow a health bill actually moves, or how a congressional office works. Students send their questions ahead of time.
- One morningHost a student delegation on the HillA tour and a short conversation with your health staffer. Students bring a written agenda and send a summary afterward.
- 15 minutes, January 8Speak at our Midwinter Leadership ConferenceTo District students who have already chosen health careers.
- Early March, annuallyJudge competitive events at the State Leadership ConferenceJoin us in early March each year to judge competitive events. Rubrics and training provided. Leadership events need no clinical background.
- Under an hourRecognize DC HOSA in writingA letter of greeting read at the State Leadership Conference and printed in the program, or a floor statement or Congressional Record entry during National CTE Month in February.
- 15 minutes, quarterlyKeep a standing check-in with studentsSo your office always knows what District health science students are doing.
- One morning this fallAttend the District Health Leaders SummitAnd tell us which leaders in health care and higher education belong in the room.
DC HOSA hosts its own events. Offices attend, speak, and make introductions, which keeps every request within House and Senate ethics rules.
For Councilmembers and committee staff, ward and at-large.
- 45 minutesVisit a Local Chapter in your wardStudents run the session and show you what they are learning.
- One hearingInvite students to testifyOn health, education, or workforce matters before your committee. Students prepare written testimony in advance.
- One resolutionRecognize DC HOSA Week or National CTE MonthA ceremonial resolution honoring District health science students.
- Early March, annuallyJudge competitive events at the State Leadership ConferenceJoin us in early March each year to judge competitive events. Rubrics and training provided.
- One morning this fallAttend the District Health Leaders SummitAlongside health systems, universities, and OSSE.
For the Executive Office of the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor for Education, OSSE, DC Health, and the Department of Employment Services.
- One proclamationProclaim DC HOSA Week, or recognize National CTE MonthA mayoral proclamation, read aloud at a DC HOSA event and printed in the State Leadership Conference program.
- One introductionConnect us with the right people in District agenciesOn clinical exposure, internships, and work-based learning for students.
- 15 minutesSend a senior leader to speakTo our Midwinter Leadership Conference on January 8, or our State Leadership Conference in early March.
- An ongoing conversationOpen clearer paths to job shadowing and clinical observationStudents under 18 face real barriers to shadowing, ride-alongs, and observation in health settings. We want to work with District agencies and employers on a clearer, safe path.
- One morning this fallAttend the District Health Leaders SummitWhere District agencies, health systems, and universities meet the students they are preparing.
Our year
The best time to engage is any of these moments. Students lead every one of them.
- Washington Leadership Academy and Capitol Hill visits
- District Health Leaders Summit
- Midwinter Leadership Conference
- National CTE Month
- State Leadership Conference and competitive events
- HOSA International Leadership Conference
Request a student visit
Tell us which option interests your office and roughly when. A DC HOSA officer will reply with dates.
- Your name, title, and office
- Which option you are interested in
- A few dates or a time of year that work
Where DC HOSA stands
DC HOSA – Future Health Professionals is a nonpartisan student organization operating under the sponsorship and oversight of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. We do not endorse candidates or take positions on partisan questions. We work with every office on health science education and the District's health workforce.
Questions go to the State Advisor at hosadistrictofcolumbia@gmail.com.