Valued Voice

More than 2,300 students, advisors, teachers and supporters gathered in Wisconsin Dells April 8-10 for the HOSA – Future Health Professionals 2026 State Leadership Conference. WHA was proud to be part of the event, coming away inspired by the energy, professionalism and dedication of Wisconsin’s future health care workforce.

A highlight of the conference was the Special Recognition Awards VIP Dinner, where student achievement and key partnerships were celebrated. WHA and the WHA Foundation were honored with the HOSA Outstanding Professional Association Partner Award, recognizing their leadership in promoting HOSA as a pathway to health professions and their ongoing support in helping students achieve their educational goals.

Bruce Roesler, Chair of WHA Foundation and CEO of The Richland Hospital; Leigh Ann Larson, WHA Foundation Executive Director and WHA Vice President of Education and Corporate Partnerships“It was an honor to be part of an evening that celebrates both student achievement and strong partnerships,” said Bruce Roesler, Chair of WHA Foundation and CEO of The Richland Hospital. “This recognition reflects the shared commitment to developing the next generation of health care professionals.”

During the dinner, the WHA Foundation awarded four $500 scholarships to students pursuing education in health-related fields, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening Wisconsin’s health care workforce pipeline. 

“Supporting HOSA and its students through academic scholarship funding was a natural decision for the Foundation board, as it directly addresses the health care workforce challenges facing our state,” said WHA Foundation Executive Director Leigh Ann Larson.

Beyond the awards, the conference offered students the opportunity to compete in a variety of events, with regional winners advancing to state-level. Attendees also participated in keynote and breakout sessions through the HOSA Educational Symposium and browsed the event expo to visit with exhibitors.

Katelyn Hopman, WHA Director of Marketing and Communications; Haley Salazar, WHA Digital Communications Manager

WHA’s communications team participated in the event expo for the third consecutive year, showcasing the So Many Options health care career campaign and website. With strong engagement throughout the event, thousands of students connected with WHA and explored resources designed to inspire and guide future careers in health care—many leaving with the popular “So Many Options” highlighter as a reminder of the possibilities ahead.

For more information on the WHA Foundation, contact Leigh Ann Larson or visit the WHA Foundation webpage.