Minnesota State Officer Team
“The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.” – John Buchan
“We're not just some club; we are the future of healthcare in Minnesota and beyond!”
Tristen Rothrum, Anoka High School, State Officer President ‘22-23 23’-24’ International Central Region VP
State Officers play a crucial role in the HOSA-Future Health Professionals (HOSA-FHP) organization. These individuals are elected representatives from various schools across Minnesota who work diligently to manage and improve the overall HOSA experience for all members. Their responsibilities range from organizing statewide events, conferences, and competitions to serving as a communication bridge between HOSA-FHP chapters across the state. They engage in strategic planning, policy making, and advocacy for healthcare education, aiming to provide the best opportunities for members to learn, grow, and develop leadership skills in the field of healthcare.
Applications are released January 19th, 2026 and close on February 20th, 2026 with interviews the following week. Applicants must be a current freshman, sophomore, or junior in high school and attend SLC in person (March 9th-11th). Six officers are elected each year. Each school can send a maximum of 3 applicants. No more than 2 state officers elected in a single year may attend the same school.
Minnesota HOSA State Officers
Jack Trygstad
He/Him
President
“I didn’t come this far to only come this far.” — Kamala Harris Jack’s journey with HOSA started at the State Leadership Conference, where he immediately found a community that…
Bhavya Yerriboyina
She/Her
President-Elect
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” – Wayne W. Dyer When Bhavya first heard of HOSA, it was in a random conversation…
Arianna Gocool
She/Her
Vice President of Growth
“Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others.” –Marian Wright Edelman With the hope of being more involved in…
Emma Joseph
She/Her
Vice President of Engagement
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill As a sophomore walking the halls of Maple Grove Senior High…
Shawn Nierenhausen
She/Her
Vice President of Outreach
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” -Oscar Wilde Shawn first heard about HOSA at summer band camp through a friend, and…
Dharinya Ayyappan
She/Her
Industry Liaison
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” — C. Rajagopalachari Dharinya’s HOSA journey began when she walked past a lab room during her freshman year and noticed fake…
Bryan Phan
He/Him
Public Relations Officer
“You can either see yourself as a wave in the ocean or you can see yourself as the ocean.” – Oprah Winfrey As a freshman, Bryan joined HOSA in hopes…
Sahasra Thodupunoori
She/Her
Activities Coordinator
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg Joining HOSA in her sophomore…
State Leadership Team
Summer Hagy
She/her
State Advisor
Summer Hagy is the dynamic State Advisor and Executive Director of Minnesota HOSA-FHP. As a part of the Healthforce Center of Excellence, she oversees the development and implementation of innovative…
Lauren Trygstad
She/her
Director of Student Leadership and Marketing
Lauren Trygstad is an integral part of the HOSA-Future Health Professionals community. Her journey with HOSA spans seven enriching years, from her initial role as a State Officer to her…
Malia Hasselius
She/Her
Judge Coordinator
Malia Hasselius started her HOSA journey as a high school junior in a brand new chapter. From there, she quickly became the president of her local chapter and a state…
Application Process
The 2026-2027 State Officer Application will open on 1/19/26. They close on 2/20/26. Interviews offered on rolling schedule, early submissions given priority. See application guide here.
Phase I – Online Application
- Complete the online application by February 20th. Link here
- Submit two recommendation letters (one from your HOSA Advisor, one from a non-family adult). Due February 28th.
- Provide a 30-second introduction video explaining what HOSA is.
- Rank top three officer positions and submit required forms and creative materials (e.g., poster, Instagram post).
Phase II – Virtual Interviews
- Participate in virtual interviews with the selection committee during the weeks of February 23rd.
- Discuss your HOSA journey and leadership goals.
Phase III – State Leadership Conference (SLC) Engagement
- Attend the SLC (March 9th-11th) and complete the HOSA State Officer Test.
- Must score 70% or higher to be considered for state office.
- Last years pass rate was 55%
- Study guide here
- Must score 70% or higher to be considered for state office.
- Set up a personal trifold display for voting delegates.
- Participate in activities including a 1-minute speech, fishbowl Q&A, and a secret activity with delegates.
Past State Officers
2025-2026
- President: Ivy Lee (Mounds View) – University of Minnesota
- President-Elect: Jack Trygstad (Current president – Lakeville South)
- VP of Growth: Claire Nelson (Math and Science Academy) – University of Wisconsin Madison
- VP of Engagement: Zainab Al-Nidawi (Coon Rapids) – Columbia University
- VP of Outreach: Linna Pederson (Como Park)
- Activities Coordinator: Shawn Nierenhausen (Current VPO – Lakeville South)
- Public Relations: Rishika Anasuri (Edina) – Current International Secondary Board Rep – University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
2024-2025
- President: Elaine Phan (Blaine) – Carleton College
- President-Elect: Ivy Lee (Current president – Mounds View High School)
- VP of Growth: Ivy Treitler (Nova Classical Academy) – Northwestern University
- VP of Rural Initiatives: Atlas Hyde (Kingsland High School) – Gustavus Adolphus College
- Activities Coordinator: Jack Trygstad (Current President-Elect – Lakeville South)
- Public Relations: Taydem Sibinski (Blaine) – University of Michigan
2023-2024
- President: Aditya Suresh (Edina) – University of Wisconsin Madison – 2024-2025 HOSA International Central Region VP
- President-Elect: Elaine Phan (Blaine) – Carleton College
- VP of Growth: Dhiren Akkina (Wayzata) – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- VP of Engagement: Emily Hensel (Prior Lake) – University of Minnesota
- Activities Coordinator: Ken Pham (Lakeville North)
- Public Relations: Ella Weinstein (Edina) – Boston College
2022-2023
- President: Tristen Rothrum (Anoka) – University of Minnesota – Past HOSA International Central Region VP
- Vice President/Board Representative: Sivaani Anandkumar (Shakopee) – BS/MD Tulane University
- Vice President of Engagement: Charlie Workman (Lakeville North) – PharmD University of Iowa
- Vice President of Growth: Neha Kodali (Wayzata) – University of Minnesota
- Vice President of Middle & Collegiate Relations: Sami Tesfaye (Eastview) – Washington University St. Louis
- Public Relations: Vaishu Sudhahar (Shakopee) – Brooklyn College BS/MD
- Activities Coordinator: Malia Hasselius (White Bear Lake) – University of Minnesota
2021-2022
- President: Neha Thawani Nanda – Carnegie Mellon University
- Vice President: Sivaani Anandkumar – Tulane University BS/MD
- Vice President of Secondary Relations: Mariam Hassan – University of Minnesota
- Vice President of Middle School Relations: Daniella Dake – Harvard University
- Vice President of Post Secondary Relations: Sami Tesfaye – Washington University St. Louis
- Public Relations: Bhavesh Boyapati – Indiana University
- Secretary: Winni Zheng – Johns Hopkins University
2020-2021
- President: Dawson Clifton – West Point Academy
- President-Elect: Neha Thawani Nanda
- Vice President of Secondary Relations: Lauren Trygstad – Gustavus Adolphus College – Past HOSA International Postsecondary Board Representative – UMN Medical School
- Vice President of Post Secondary Relations: Sena Geleto – University of Minnesota
- Vice President of Middle School Relations: David Wilkens – University of Utah
- Public Relations: Chau-mi Phan – University of Minnesota
- Secretary: Tharun Inturi – University of Minnesota – UMN Medical School
2019-2020
- President: Gauthum Nair – University of Pennsylvania
- President-Elect: Dawson Clifton – West Point Academy
- Vice President: Lauren Trygstad – Gustavus Adolphus College – UMN Medical School
- Vice President: Sydney Ziemer – University of Minnesota (Rochester)
- Vice President: Sena Geleto – University of Minnesota
- Secretary: Jack Kujath
2018-2019
- President: Jake Kujath – University of Minnesota (Rochester)
- President-Elect: Gauthum Nair – University of Pennsylvania
- Vice President: Alyssa Arnold – University of Minnesota
- Vice President: Angela Belous – University of Minnesota
- Vice President: Briana Clifton – University of Minnesota BS/MD
- Vice President: Monica Montejo
- Vice President: Morgan Steinkamp – University of Alabama
- Historian: Dawson Clifton – West Point Academy
- Secretary: Sydney Ziemer – University of Minnesota (Rochester)
- Reporter: Jacob Donacik