On Monday, January 13, 2025, members of the Community Affairs team at Children’s National had the incredible opportunity to present at the DC Health Occupations Students of America (DC HOSA) Mid-Winter Leadership Conference, hosted at The Catholic University of America. This one-day event brought together nearly 200 middle and high school students passionate about pursuing careers in healthcare. The conference aimed to inspire and empower students through hands-on clinical skill workshops, leadership development activities, and insightful presentations led by healthcare professionals. 

Community Affairs was one of three presentations from Children’s National Hospital. Dr. Dooley and Patty O’Brien presented two sessions on “Authentic Leadership in Health Care,” offering insights into effective leadership practices within the healthcare sector. Children’s School Services presented four sessions on “Telehealth Technology in School Health,” showcasing the importance and implementation of telehealth solutions in educational settings. Additionally, Desiree de la Torre, Julia DeAngelo, and Courtney Dennis presented two sessions on “Youth Health Advocates: Improving Community Opportunities,” focusing on engaging students in understanding and advocating for positive changes in their communities. 

Our team’s educational session discussed how to improve community opportunities touching on important topics like access to high-quality schools, employment opportunities, healthy food and other social determinants of health that impact overall well-being. Through interactive activities and discussions, we encouraged students to think critically and creatively about how they can make a real difference in their neighborhoods. 

What We Did During the Conference 

Our session was held twice throughout the day, engaging students in an immersive and interactive experience. We kicked off with an ice breaker where students shared existing resources in their communities that contribute to healthier, happier lives. This activity set the stage for a deeper dive into understanding how hospitals and public health organizations can support community well-being.  

We introduced students to the “Child Opportunity Index (COI)” to illustrate how various social factors impact community health outcomes. Through a combination of discussions and brainstorming exercises, students explored ideas for improving access to vital resources in their neighborhoods.   

The highlight of our session was the “creative expression activity,” where students used art to convey their thoughts and feelings about how Children’s National could help improve the opportunities to employment, healthy food or other social needs in their community. With markers, colored pencils, paper and magazines in hand, they tapped into their creativity to bring their ideas to life through powerful visuals. 

What the Students Produced 

The students truly inspired us with their passion and creativity. Working together in teams, they created posters that showcased innovative public health campaign ideas, calls to action, and resources that Children’s National could implement to support their communities. Their work reflected their personal experiences, with many students sharing firsthand challenges of living in lower-resource areas and the difficulties they face in accessing basic health necessities such as nutritious food.  

The impact of the event was deeply felt by both students and organizers. Shreyas Patel, DC HOSA State Advisor, reflected on the day’s success, stating: 

“The outpouring of positive feedback from both advisors and students has been phenomenal to see, and we cannot thank you enough for contributing to the wonderful learning and leadership experience that you provided for our HOSA members. To see our future healthcare professionals so eagerly engaged throughout the day was extremely heartwarming — and reminds us of why we do what we do at DC HOSA.” 

Why This Event Was Important to Us 

Participating in the DC HOSA Mid-Winter Leadership Conference was a meaningful experience for our team. It allowed us to connect with a bright and driven group of students, learn about their aspirations in public health and get meaningful perspective on challenges they face in their communities. Many of their ideas directly aligned with our priorities for the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), reaffirming the importance of engaging youth in shaping community health initiatives. 

Closing Reflections 

We are excited to continue building relationships with DC HOSA and these future healthcare leaders and exploring ways to keep them engaged in our work. Moving forward, we remain committed to supporting youth-driven initiatives and ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping healthier communities for all. 

We extend our gratitude to The Catholic University of America and DC HOSA for hosting such an impactful event-and most importantly, to the students who participated and inspired us with their creativity and passion. 

Our vision for youth engagement is to create equitable opportunities for our youth to become change agents for a healthier community. Visit our website for more information.