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FLC Workshops

Select the time block you're interested in!

Open All Day - Drop in Anytime

Allina Health – Career Exploration (Garden City) *open exploration all day*

Featuring the follow departments:

  • Radiology
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Surgical Services
  • Nursing – Ambulatory
  • Nursing – Education
  • Maintenance Engineering
  • Laboratory
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Athletic Training
  • Customer Experience Center
  • Dietitian
  • Rehabilitation – PT/OT/SLP/PTA/OTA
  • Allina Volunteers
  • Talent Acquisition

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Sessions

Competitive Events 101 (Carriage A)
This session provides an essential introduction to HOSA’s competitive events, designed especially for new members. Participants will explore the various event categories, learn how to prepare effectively, and receive guidance on selecting the right event. A hands-on activity will allow participants to practice brainstorming solutions for sample event topics and review scoring rubrics, helping them understand how events are judged and evaluated.

Code Blue: What to Do? – Charles Kauzlarich, Children’s Hospital (Carriage B)
In this immersive session, participants will dive into an emergency Code Blue scenario. Students will get hands-on experience placing oxygen adjuncts, starting IVs and intraosseous (IO) lines, and working with medications used during cardiac emergencies. The instructor will walk participants through different stages of the response, simulating the high-pressure teamwork required to save a life during a cardiac event.

Mental Health: Break the Silence (Trigger warning: Suicide is discussed) – Dawn Nelson, Hennepin Technical College (Morgan)

Do you or someone you know struggle with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? Many people suffer in silence, but it’s time to break that silence. This presentation aims to help you recognize the signs of mental illness and suicidal ideation, and equip you with the tools to take action.

We’ll cover how to initiate conversations with those who may be struggling, where to seek help, and what to say during these crucial discussions. You’ll learn about the harmful effects of negative self-talk and strategies to combat it. Additionally, we’ll explore the importance of sleep and its critical role in maintaining mental health.

Join me in fostering understanding and support for mental well-being.

OUTBREAK!! – Ashley Riskedahl, MN Dept. of Health (Tack A)
Become a public health detective! In this hands-on simulation, participants will perform tests on blood and egg-yolk agar plates to analyze results and identify a pathogen causing an outbreak. Students will use motility, urea, and lactose tests, along with gram stain analysis, to develop and test hypotheses. This session will challenge participants to think critically about how labs handle real outbreaks and communicate their findings.

Mindful Eating Experience – Erin Gonzales, MSU Mankato (Tack B)
Join this engaging and reflective workshop on mindful eating. Participants will use snacks like raisins, grapes, or dark chocolate to explore the sensory aspects of food through guided activities. Each step will focus on observing, smelling, tasting, and reflecting on the experience. Participants will also learn how to tune into hunger and fullness cues, fostering a healthier relationship with food that they can apply to future healthcare practices.

Opportunities in Healthcare: Poison Centers – Kirk Hughes, MN Poison Center (Harvest A)
This session explores the role of poison centers in healthcare, focusing on how they assist emergency providers. Participants will take part in a simulated poison case, making a live training call to the poison center to practice real-time communication. Through the activity, students will experience the decision-making process behind treating toxic exposures and the importance of poison centers in saving lives.

Medical Lab Technician – Audrey Anderson, Northwestern Health Sciences (Harvest B)
Explore the behind-the-scenes world of clinical laboratories in this session. While no hands-on lab activities will be offered due to biohazard restrictions, participants will engage in interactive discussions about common lab tests and equipment. They’ll also learn about the career path of a medical lab technician, including the essential role these professionals play in healthcare.

Surgical Technology – Krista Vylasek, Rasmussen University (Harvest C)
Get a hands-on introduction to the operating room in this session. Participants will practice surgical wound dressing, gowning, and gloving. They’ll also try out a laparoscopic training kit and participate in a C-section simulation, giving them a glimpse into the essential role surgical technologists play during operations. This interactive experience is perfect for anyone interested in surgery or healthcare support roles.

Compound your own topical product – Nancy Stoehr, Concordia University WI School of Pharmacy (Captains)

The students will have an opportunity to view different types of finished dosage forms (tablets, capsules, suppositories, etc) and compound their own topical product. We will use actual pharmaceutical-grade equipment and components to explore this process.

 

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM Sessions

OBGYN Career Pathway – Dr. Charles Bryz-Gornia (Carriage A)
Explore the life of an obstetrician-gynecologist through this session, which offers a detailed look into women’s healthcare. Dr. Bryz-Gornia will discuss the skills and knowledge required to excel in this specialty. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, such as simulating patient assessments and learning about common OBGYN tools used in prenatal care and labor management.

Local Officer Session – MN HOSA State Officers (Carriage B)
This interactive session is designed for current and aspiring HOSA officers. Participants will engage in team-building activities and collaborative discussions on chapter management, communication strategies, and event planning. Officers will share success stories and challenges, guiding attendees to become more effective leaders.

Clinical Trial Research – Krista Asmus, MPH, CCRP – Boston Scientific  (Morgan)
A presentation on working in the Clinical Trial Research industry. Please join two Boston Scientific employees who work in the Clinical Research Industry, specifically in Interventional Oncology. They will give a brief overview of what clinical research is and education pathways that lead to different types of careers in Clinical Trial Research.

Biomedical Science & Orthopedics Advisor Session – Diane Lashinsky, PLTW (Tack A)
Advisors will dive into hands-on tools and resources designed to enhance STEM learning. This session includes an interactive activity using the Orthopaedics in Action® kit, where participants will work through fracture repair puzzles. Advisors will also explore strategies for aligning HOSA events with PLTW biomedical curricula to engage students and foster leadership development.

Advocating for Patients and Community – Jami Burbidge, MN AFP (Tack B)
This session focuses on the importance of advocacy in healthcare, with real-life stories from medical students and physicians. Participants will join an interactive quiz via Slido, using smartphones to test their knowledge of healthcare policies and advocacy strategies. Through group discussions, attendees will explore how to advocate for their patients, communities, and the healthcare profession.

Thick Drink Challenge – Kathy Messerli, MN Home Care (Harvest A)
Participants will step into the role of home care providers and patients through interactive activities. They will try the “Thick-It” water challenge, simulating the experience of patients with swallowing difficulties. Attendees will also practice using a Doppler device and identify home safety hazards, gaining practical skills essential for home care professionals.

Wide World of Pharmacy – Jess Bruce & Randi Friestad, Fairview (Harvest B)
Explore the exciting career of a pharmacy technician. This session will cover key roles, career advancement opportunities, and the benefits of working in pharmacy. Participants will interact with counting trays and other pharmacy tools used in medication preparation, gaining insights into what a day in the life of a pharmacy technician looks like.

Surgical Technology – Krista Vylasek, Rasmussen University (Harvest C)
Continue your exploration of surgical technology with hands-on practice in this follow-up session. Participants will refine their skills in gowning, gloving, and using laparoscopic instruments. They’ll also explore how surgical teams collaborate, simulating procedures to understand the fast-paced environment of an operating room.

Compound your own topical product – Nancy Stoehr, Concordia University WI School of Pharmacy (Captains)

The students will have an opportunity to view different types of finished dosage forms (tablets, capsules, suppositories, etc) and compound their own topical product. We will use actual pharmaceutical-grade equipment and components to explore this process.

 

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Sessions

Bethel University (Carriage A)
Learn about the healthcare programs available at Bethel University. Participants will engage in a Q&A session with university representatives, exploring degrees and career pathways. The session will also guide students on how to prepare for admission, highlighting resources and opportunities to support their academic journeys.

Health Careers at the U of M – Tricia Todd, University of Minnesota (Carriage B)
This session introduces participants to the University of Minnesota’s wide array of healthcare programs. Students will use the PHSRC Action Plan to begin mapping their career paths. Through interactive discussion, participants will explore the competencies required for healthcare professions and learn how to prepare effectively for future applications.

Local Advisor Session 12:30-1:30 (Morgan)
Advisors will gather for a collaborative session to share best practices for managing HOSA chapters and enhancing student engagement. This networking opportunity will allow participants to exchange ideas, address challenges, and develop strategies to promote chapter growth and success throughout the year.

The Science Behind Medicine – Theresa Sarkela, Essentia Health (Tack A)
In this session, participants will use a virtual randomizer to explore various lab tests and discuss how they impact patient care. Through hands-on activities, attendees will analyze mock lab results and learn how healthcare providers interpret these findings to monitor health and diagnose conditions.

Interactive Forensic Science – Nawal Arafa, Global Health Assembly (Tack B)
Participants will assume roles as forensic scientists, working through the stages of a simulated death investigation. Teams will collect and analyze evidence, such as fingerprints and fibers, and pass their findings between groups to encourage collaboration. The session culminates with participants presenting a final forensic report on their case, showcasing their investigative and teamwork skills.

Healthcare Careers Game – Mandy Satterfield, Mayo Clinic (Harvest A)
Play a healthcare-themed version of “Guess Who” in this interactive session. Participants will pair up and try to guess their partner’s mystery healthcare role using visual clues. This fun and engaging game helps students become familiar with various healthcare professions and how they interact in a clinical environment.

PTSD Treatment & Clinical Psychology – Daniel Conybeare, PhD (Harvest B)
Explore the field of clinical psychology with a focus on trauma and PTSD. Participants will engage in interactive discussions, watching a video demonstration of exposure therapy to understand how it helps people recover from trauma. Attendees will have the chance to share their insights, discuss mental health strategies, and explore career paths in psychology.

St. Olaf EMT Program – The EMT Experience in College (Harvest C)

Are you hoping to pursue a career in healthcare? Do you plan to attend a college/university? Discover how the hands-on experience as a collegiate EMT not only equips you with vital skills in emergency care but also sets the stage for your future in medical school, dental school, PA school, and beyond!

Join us in a skills workshop where attendees will practice EMT interventions through a simulated cardiac arrest!

Entering the Emergency Scene – Alexis Lombard, North Memorial Ambulance (Captains)
This hands-on session provides a glimpse into the fast-paced world of emergency response. Participants will practice applying tourniquets and administering Narcan in simulated emergency scenarios, learning how EMS professionals respond to critical situations. They’ll also explore how EMS roles can serve as a stepping stone to various healthcare careers.

1:15 PM - 1:45 PM Sessions

Overdose Prevention Training – Megan Walsh, SRHN (Carriage A)
This session offers hands-on training in overdose prevention, with participants practicing how to administer naloxone (Narcan). Attendees will also learn how to recognize an opioid overdose, understand how Narcan works, and explore Minnesota’s Good Samaritan Law. Gain essential life-saving skills and leave empowered to act confidently in emergencies.

The Lab Gets Results – Anna Bestul, Fairview Ridges (Carriage B)
Step into the world of medical lab scientists as you perform a kit test to determine patient diagnoses. Participants will learn how lab findings guide treatment decisions and explore the role of laboratory professionals in healthcare. This interactive session highlights the critical connection between lab work and patient care. 

Local Advisor Session 12:30-1:30 (Morgan)
Advisors will gather for a collaborative session to share best practices for managing HOSA chapters and enhancing student engagement. This networking opportunity will allow participants to exchange ideas, address challenges, and develop strategies to promote chapter growth and success throughout the year.

Dementia Experience – Bobbi Koon, Ecumen (Tack A)
Participants will wear simulation gear that mimics the cognitive and physical impairments experienced by individuals with dementia. Through this immersive experience, attendees will reflect on the challenges faced by those living with dementia and engage in group discussions about how empathy can enhance caregiving.

Native Health Advocacy a New Competitive Event with a Cash Prize – Whittney LaCroix, RN, BSN President/CNO of Tribal Health (Tack B)
Learn about MN HOSA’s newest competitive event: Native Health Advocacy. This team-based event (2-4 participants) challenges students to solve real-world problems faced by reservation hospitals while gaining knowledge of the Indian Health Service (IHS) and federal policies impacting tribal healthcare. At the State Leadership Conference (SLC), teams will compete for cash prizes, including up to $800 for first place and $400 for second. In this session, explore the event details, engage in discussions on policy challenges, and see if this is the right event for you!

Ophthalmic Careers – Alexandria Technical & Community College (Harvest A)
Participate in hands-on activities like vision tests using Snellen charts and color blindness assessments to explore careers in eye care. Learn how ophthalmic professionals diagnose and treat vision impairments and discover how you can pursue a career in this field.

Station 1: check near vision/pupil size/check pupils

Station 2: Use AFT and install drops  

Station 3: Ishihara plates/stereo fly test

Station 4: Light box with stereo viewers with retina images included

Understanding Corrective Lenses – Laura Postigo, Northwestern Health Sciences (Harvest B)
This session offers an interactive exploration of how lenses correct vision impairments. Participants will engage in light refraction demos and test their own vision, learning how different types of lenses work to restore clear sight.

Healthcare Data Quality – Pam Oachs, College of St. Scholastica (Harvest C)
Analyze real-world healthcare data to identify errors and inconsistencies in this hands-on session. Participants will explore how data integrity affects patient care and discuss strategies for improving data accuracy, becoming “data heroes” who help ensure quality in healthcare systems.

Decoding the Code – Ben Roser, EMS Clinical Educator (Captains)
Work through simulated cardiac arrest scenarios using advanced manikins and ECG simulators. Participants will practice hands-on CPR techniques, explore defibrillation technology, and learn how teamwork plays a crucial role in Code Blue emergencies. The instructor will guide participants through realistic scenarios to build confidence in emergency response.