Program Archive
This comprehensive 2-day training provides new teachers with the resources and training needed to teach Health Science. The New Teacher Training will take place on July 20,12:00-6:00 PM, and July 21 from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Registration for this training includes General Conference registration on Wednesday and Thursday. The workshop includes: Overview of health science and understanding of the TEKS, classroom management, health science terminology, teaching strategies, learning styles, and introduction to student organizations. Exposure to classroom and administrative responsibilities, including lesson planning and making those lesson plans interactive using labs and technology.
Stackable credentials are one of the fastest ways to launch students into high‑demand careers. In this dynamic session, discover how progressive certification pathways empower students to build real‑world skills, gain confidence, and step into the workforce with a competitive edge.
Explore how stackable pathways that incorporate multiple credentials create flexible routes to immediate job opportunities and long‑term success for students and programs. You’ll also see how NHA’s tools can help elevate instruction, track growth, and strengthen competency development, and collaborate with programs currently stacking credentials to boost student engagement, employer satisfaction, and program success.
2025 Summer Conference Agenda
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2026 Health Science Conference Agenda
New Teacher Workshop
Alisha Smith
Summer Creek High School
Alisha Smith is currently teaching at Summer Creek High School in Humble ISD. She has been teaching there for 9 years and has been with Humble ISD for 16 years. Classes she has taught include Principles of Health Science, Health Science Theory/Clinical (PCT Certification), Health Science Practicum (CCMA Certification), and the CTE Ambassador class. Before teaching at Summer Creek, she worked in Special Education as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She has been a PTA for a total of 17 years. Alisha has served on multiple TEKS committees and assisted with multiple textbook reviews. In 2018, Alisha was awarded THOA's New Teacher Scholarship. She has also served as Area 6 Board Director and is currently THOA's Past President.
This comprehensive 2-day training provides new teachers with the resources and training needed to teach Health Science. The New Teacher Training will take place on July 20,12:00-6:00 PM, and July 21 from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Registration for this training includes General Conference registration on Wednesday and Thursday. The workshop includes: Overview of health science and understanding of the TEKS, classroom management, health science terminology, teaching strategies, learning styles, and introduction to student organizations. Exposure to classroom and administrative responsibilities, including lesson planning and making those lesson plans interactive using labs and technology.
Advancing Learner Readiness Through Civility, Skill Development, and Data-Driven Instruction
Kelly Cobb
NHA (National Healthcareer Association)
Kelly Cobb, BSN, RN, is a seasoned Product Integration Specialist and Educator at the National Healthcareer Association. With a diverse background in nursing and allied healthcare education across simulation, hospital, academic, and CTE settings, she's dedicated to advancing competency-based learning. Her impactful consulting and advocacy for shared resources have elevated the healthcare education community. In the upcoming webinar, she will draw on her extensive experience to share key strategies for bridging the theory-practice gap in healthcare education.
Tywana Lawson
NHA (National Healthcareer Association)
Tywana “Ty” Lawson, MSN, RN, PhD, is an educator with more than 15 years of experience as an administrator and instructor in Allied Health and Nursing. As an Implementation Specialist at the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Ty is passionate about promoting best practices in health sciences education.
Join us for a focused, hands-on pre‑conference learning experience designed to strengthen your teaching strategies, enhance learner engagement, and deepen your understanding of NHA tools. This half‑day workshop brings together educators, program directors, and workforce training leaders to explore practical ways to ensure students are not only certification‑ready—but confident, civility‑minded, and career‑ready.
Participants will leave with actionable best practices, new approaches for classroom success, and a clearer understanding of how NHA’s ecosystem supports learner outcomes.
Participants will leave with actionable best practices, new approaches for classroom success, and a clearer understanding of how NHA’s ecosystem supports learner outcomes.
American Heart Association BLS Provider Instructor Course
Connor DeYear
Daniel E. DeYear Training Center
Connor DeYear is currently Training Center Faculty for the Daniel E. DeYear Training Center, which was founded in 1984 by his father, Daniel E. DeYear. Connor has been an instructor with the family business for over a decade, becoming one immediately after his high school graduation. He has taught around the state for various school districts and many private businesses wishing to become trained in CPR and First Aid, both within and outside the healthcare field.
Connor attended Texas A&M University in College Station and received his BBA in Finance in 2018. He was extremely active on campus as a member of multiple social and academic organizations, a counselor for incoming freshman camp, and the Social Chair for the executive committee for his Men’s organization – Aggie Gentlemen of Integrity. After graduation, he worked for PepsiCo as a part of their Frito Lay division in Plano for nearly 4 years, holding multiple finance and insights roles throughout his tenure. He left PepsiCo after going to school in the evenings to get his EMT certification to pursue a career in the fire service. He then worked in private EMS in the Dallas area while he obtained his firefighting certificate. He hopes to be working for a local fire department as a paramedic/firefighter in the near future.
Outside of his passion for teaching and all things emergency medicine related, Connor enjoys spending time with his closest friends and family, cooking new things, playing video games, and staying active with various sports.
Nikke DeYear
Daniel E. DeYear Training Center
Nikke DeYear is transitioning into the role of Training Center Coordinator for the Daniel E. DeYear Training Center and Rescue Co 10, which was started by her father in 1984 and run by her mother, Janet, since 2003. Nikke was first certified in CPR & First Aid as a Girl Scout in the 2nd grade. Along with her brother Connor, their lead instructor, Rescue Co 10 and the Daniel E. DeYear Training Center serve school districts and community organizations across the Dallas metroplex and state of Texas to provide high quality CPR and First Aid training.
Nikke is a nonprofit and human rights professional who has over 11 years of experience in nonprofit operations, capacity building, and security & logistics. She most recently served for over 4 years as the Head of Operations for the Clooney Foundation for Justice, an international human rights organization operating in more than 40 countries. Her expertise has led her to become a go-to resource for government organizations and nonprofits looking for specialized logistical support and a strategic advisor to those looking to scale operations and mission impact. Prior to this work, Nikke served in various roles across the nonprofit and government industries, including as a case manage for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence at the YWCA of Oklahoma City and as an intern and special assistant at the US Mission to the United Nations Washington, D.C. office.
Nikke has a Master’s degree in Global Security and a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Oklahoma and has studied 5 languages: Spanish, Arabic, French, Irish, and French. She spends her free time backpacking, hiking with her dog Nara, cooking, planning her next trip, and slowly building the world’s largest personal library. She and her husband Brandon, a drummer and touring musician, love to explore and support the arts and are active and extensive travelers.
Janet DeYear
Rescue Co. 10/Daniel E. DeYear Training Center
Janet DeYear is the co-owner and prior Training Center Coordinator for the Daniel E. DeYear Training Center, which has been in business since 1984. She and her husband, Daniel, a retired Fire Chief with Dallas Fire Rescue, along with her son, Connor, have taught thousands of students the life-saving skills of CPR, First Aid and AED usage in schools, healthcare facilities, community organizations and local businesses. Janet and Daniel recently welcomed Nikke DeYear into the family business as the new Training Center Coordinator.
Janet is currently a BLS Lead Instructor and Training Center Faculty for their business. Her expertise includes assisting many school districts in the state of Texas, managing the Training Sites under the training center, and mentoring a large number of instructors and Training Site Coordinators who are aligned with the Daniel E. DeYear Training Center. Janet holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and is a former Claims Superintendent for State Farm Insurance.
Janet and her husband have three grown children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law to be, and a big, friendly Australian Shephard! Janet is a past PTA President, Girl Scout Leader, soccer mom, and Sunday School teacher. In her free time, she loves to travel, play pickleball, walk/hike, read a good mystery novel, volunteer at various organizations, and scrapbook her family's activities.
Become an American Heart Association BLS CPR Instructor for your district! This course will train you to teach both healthcare and non-healthcare CPR provider classes for your students, fellow teachers and staff. See flyer for more details.
No Second Chances Needed: Empowering CNA Instructors for First-Time Pass Rate Success
Julie Reynolds
Northeast Independent School District
Julie Reynolds, known nationally as Nurse JAR, is a powerhouse in Nurse Aide education, backed by 16 years of dedicated military service in the U.S. Army and over 16 years shaping future CNAs. Julie is currently employed with the NEISD as the CTE CNA instructor where she teaches both high school and adult learners.
As the face behind the thriving Nurse JAR YouTube channel and TheRealNurseJAR.com, Julie has inspired thousands globally, from aspiring nurse aides to fellow instructors. She’s the author of essential CNA instructor resources like "Inspire & Educate" and the companion "Empower & Elevate" workbook.
With a signature blend of motivation, practical tools, and a deep commitment to student success, Julie is a driving force behind countless first-time pass stories in CNA certification.
An energetic, game-changing workshop to transforming your students into confident, certified CNAs on their first attempt.
As Nurse JAR, I’ve spent my career immersed in CNA education, training thousands of students, developing proven techniques, and building a national brand. In this fun yet professional session, I’ll share the exact strategies that have empowered my students to conquer their exams with flying colors.
You’ll leave not just with motivation but with a clear blueprint to get your students confidently certified.
Ten lucky attendees will walk out with my “Empower & Elevate” workbook.
As Nurse JAR, I’ve spent my career immersed in CNA education, training thousands of students, developing proven techniques, and building a national brand. In this fun yet professional session, I’ll share the exact strategies that have empowered my students to conquer their exams with flying colors.
You’ll leave not just with motivation but with a clear blueprint to get your students confidently certified.
Ten lucky attendees will walk out with my “Empower & Elevate” workbook.
Starla's Creative Teaching Tips: Methods to Incorporate Hands-On Learning into Your Curriculum
Starla Ewan
Starla's Creative Teaching Tips
[SE1.1]Starla brings over 43 years of teaching and brings a rich background of experience ranging from coaching, athletic training, all levels of Biology, college instruction of Anatomy, and years of on-site medical observation. She has been presenting successful teaching methods with teachers during conferences and staff development workshops for over 31 years.
Her teaching experience includes Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, AP Biology, Pre-AP Biology, standard Biology, and mentoring Health Science Curriculum.
The success of Starla's teaching strategies and increased student understanding of difficult material through the use of hands-on activities and teaching tricks has led her to share with teachers, massage therapists, and medical personnel nationwide.
Starla also works with new year teacher mentorship programs to facilitate a successful transition into the teaching profession and staff developments for campus faculty to coordinate a successful and consistent learning environment for students.
If you would like to contact Starla about lessons from the modules or to arrange for her to conduct a dynamic workshop for your school or conference, just email her at sewan15@yahoo.com or call her at 806-787-6018.
Your instructors will love the time spent in a workshop that gives them fun and successful lessons to take back to the classroom.
Does the question "How can I find the time to do these cool activities?' come into your mind after conference? This session will give you methods to successfully incorporate hands-on learning, demonstrations, and skills into your curriculum without losing time. These methods increase student retention and skills application of the content you teach.
Turn Medical Terminology Into a Lab, Not a Lecture
Tana Holmes
Retired
Tana Holmes is an award-winning health science educator who counts herself blessed to have contributed to the medical education of thousands of future healthcare professionals over 30+ years in clinical and classroom instruction.
She is also a wife, mother, grandmother, published author, and lover of the outdoors.
Medical terminology doesn’t have to be memorized—it can be moved, played, dissected, and laughed through. In this high-energy, no-sit-still session, educators will dive into games, movement challenges, labs, drills, and a real dissection that make prefixes, suffixes, and roots finally make sense. Expect zero worksheets, maximum participation, and strategies your students won’t stop talking about. Designed for high school and college health science classrooms, this session delivers practical, classroom-tested ideas that turn med terms from painful to powerful. Come for the chaos, stay for the retention.
Make Muscles Make Sense
Deanie Gold
Retired
After 35 years in high school classrooms, I retired a few years ago to enjoy my "Golden Years". But so far, I haven't found the golden part! So, I'm back at THOA again hoping to help some younger teachers be successful in the classroom. I am part of the Competetive Events Team for Texas HOSA, and still get to see old friends and students. When i'm not busy with all that, I love gardening and canning.
It can be very difficult to understand complex concepts when you can't see what is happening. Understanding the function of a muscle depends on understanding the structure of a muscle, which is difficult because it is usually described at a microscopic level. Join me to learn several different hands-on techniques to make muscles make sense. We will make a model of a muscle and demonstrate the function of muscles through physical activities and games to make muscles make more sense. Attendees will leave with several cheap and easy activities to help students understand how muscles work.
Phlebotomy This and That
Melissa Rohrbough
Del Valle High School
Melissa Rohrbough received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Southwest Texas University in 1991. She holds a Texas Teaching Certificate for grades 6-12 in Composite Science and holds a Texas Teaching Certificate for grades 8-12 in Health Science. She worked as a laboratory technologist for 6 years before moving to teaching. She taught chemistry and integrated chemistry and physics for ten years before moving to health science in which she is starting her nineteenth year. She has taught various courses in health science including Principles of Health Science, Theory of Health Science, Pharmacology, Pharmacy Technician Certification, Phlebotomy Certification and Clinical Medical Assistant Certification and Patient Care Technician Certification. As a previous HOSA advisor she served 6 years on the Texas Board of Directors for HOSA . She has taught multiple workshops for THOA, Texas Health Occupations Association including Phlebotomy 101 , Haven’t thought of that and A Little of This and a Little of That. These workshops focused on bringing hands-on activities with instructional strategies for health science teachers. Her educational philosophy is very simple: she makes her classroom a place where students want to be instead of where they must be.
Have you been asked to teach phlebotomy and do not know where to start or have you been teaching phlebotomy and still do not know where to start? Have no fear Phlebotomy This and That is here. In this workshop learn how to use hands on activities to make phlebotomy concepts easy for you to teach and easy for te students to learn.
Integrating Phlebotomy instruction and "sticks" into your Health Science program. Rural to Metro
Jeffrey Roemisch
De Leon High School
I was a Football, Basketball, and Track coach for 30 years. I have been in charge of or assisting with daily injuries, rehab, prevention, etc... Once I stopped coaching I and fellow educator Chuck Jordan were tasked with starting our Health Science program at De Leon HS. We are now in our 4th year and have many avenues (CCMA, PCT, CNA, Phlebotomy & EKG) for our students to gain real world certificates for them to enter the job world or help gain entry into a collegiate healthcare pathway.
Phlebotomy integration into Health Science
Hosting a"Stick Night" by inviting the community in to volunteer can knock out those required live draws quickly. It saves students the stress of hunting down their own volunteers and builds real-world confidence fast.
Prepare the students with Life/Form arms. You can use the gravity system to start then use the pump system for simulating actual blood pressure.
We will discuss ideas on getting supplies, volunteers, observations, acquiring equipment, etc.....to make your program a success!
You can also try your hand at a "Stick" during the presentation time.
Starla's Hands-On Body Systems: The Network Behind an EKG!
Starla Ewan
Starla's Creative Teaching Tips
[SE1.1]Starla brings over 43 years of teaching and brings a rich background of experience ranging from coaching, athletic training, all levels of Biology, college instruction of Anatomy, and years of on-site medical observation. She has been presenting successful teaching methods with teachers during conferences and staff development workshops for over 31 years.
Her teaching experience includes Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, AP Biology, Pre-AP Biology, standard Biology, and mentoring Health Science Curriculum.
The success of Starla's teaching strategies and increased student understanding of difficult material through the use of hands-on activities and teaching tricks has led her to share with teachers, massage therapists, and medical personnel nationwide.
Starla also works with new year teacher mentorship programs to facilitate a successful transition into the teaching profession and staff developments for campus faculty to coordinate a successful and consistent learning environment for students.
If you would like to contact Starla about lessons from the modules or to arrange for her to conduct a dynamic workshop for your school or conference, just email her at sewan15@yahoo.com or call her at 806-787-6018.
Your instructors will love the time spent in a workshop that gives them fun and successful lessons to take back to the classroom.
Medical personnel and massage therapists will love the application of these lessons to their healing practice.
Participants will build the heart's hidden electrical system out of brightly colored clay. This activity is great to help your students to learn how this hidden structure of the heart guides the heart to use perfectly timed contractions to fill and empty heart chambers and how each part of an EKG/ECG gives away the function of the electrical system. The Vagus nerve and Sympathetic NS will be examined for their influence on the heart and how this affects interrelationships with other body systems. Common pathology will be applied. Your healthy hearts go home with you!
Stop the Bleed
LeRoy Marklund
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Dr. LeRoy A. Marklund is a 30½-year U.S. Army Nurse Corps veteran. He is currently Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Nursing Education and Clinical Associate Professor for Texas A&M University College of Nursing at McAllen, Texas. In May 2020, he was recalled out of retirement and served on active-duty in support of the COVID-19 pandemic at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. His academic interests are military healthcare, disaster preparedness, trauma resuscitation, emerging infectious diseases, and team building. Since July 2018, he has taught undergraduate nursing courses. He is a committee member for TAMU Troops to College and Honor Council.
Hanna Watson
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Hanna Watson is a nursing student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Texas A&M University and is originally from Dallas, Texas. She plans to work in the intensive care unit (ICU) after graduating in Fall 2027. Her professional interests include critical care, patient advocacy, and emergency response. Hanna is attending the conference as part of a student group presentation and looks forward to contributing to health education while gaining professional experience.
Ashley Zamora
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
My name is Ashley Zamora, and I am a nursing student at Texas A&M University in McAllen. I am originally from Harlingen, Texas, and growing up in the Rio Grande Valley has shaped my strong sense of community and passion for serving others. As I begin my journey in nursing school, I am motivated to provide compassionate, patient-centered care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of my future patients. As a first-generation college student, I am dedicated to working hard, growing both personally and professionally, and becoming a knowledgeable, empathetic nurse.
Gianna Aleman
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Gianna Aleman is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at Texas A&M University with a deep passion for critical care and serving patients during their most vulnerable moments. Inspired by early exposure to healthcare and mentors who modeled clinical excellence and compassion, Gianna is committed to developing both strong technical skills and a heart for advocacy. Her background in hands-on patient care has strengthened her interest in high-acuity settings such as the ICU and emergency department, where she hopes to combine leadership, resilience, and empathy. Gianna is attending the conference as part of a student group presentation and looks forward to learning, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and continuing to grow into the kind of nurse who leads with both skill and integrity.
Isabella Pena
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Howdy, my name is Isabella Luciana Peña. I was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley Texas and have proudly and compassionately served my community as a licensed vocational nurse for the past two and a half years. I currently specialize in the care of newborns in a postpartum setting. Throughout my nursing career, I have grown both professionally and personally. Advancing my education at Texas A&M College of Nursing in McAllen, Texas has allowed me to continue practicing as an LVN while pursuing my studies, gaining knowledge that will be of exceptional value in the near future.
Lucero Gonzalez
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Lucero Gonzalez is a proud professor at Texas A&M University’s new College of Nursing campus in McAllen, where she has the honor of teaching the inaugural nursing cohort. With more than a decade of experience in secondary education, she previously certified high school students in nationally recognized medical certifications, building a strong foundation for her transition into higher education. She brings a little under two decades of nursing experience, including extensive hospital practice, into the classroom. She earned her BSN from Texas A&M, her master’s degree from UTRGV, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Texas A&M. As a Latina first-generation graduate, her lived experiences strongly contribute to her success, leadership, and commitment to student mentorship.
Stop the Bleed is a national public health campaign initiated by the U.S. Department of Defense to empower everyday people to act as immediate responders in life threatening bleeding emergencies. The program was developed based on lessons learned from military combat care in Iraq and Afghanistan, where rapid bleeding control techniques significantly improved survival rates. Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after trauma. People can die from severe bleeding within minutes - often before emergency medical services arrive. Stop the Bleed trains individuals to recognize life threatening bleeding and respond by applying pressure, packing wounds, and tourniquets.
'Leading with Heart, Delivering Results: Elevating Pharmacy Technician Certification Success'
Cheryl Newsome
Bill R Johnson Career and Technology Education Center
Cheryl L. Newsome, RPh – Biography
Cheryl L. Newsome is a dedicated pharmacist, educator, and student leadership advocate with over 30 years of experience in community pharmacy and healthcare education. She currently serves as a District Support Pharmacist with CVS Health and as a dual credit pharmacy instructor at Bill R. Johnson Career and Technical Education Center in Crowley ISD, where she prepares high school students to become certified pharmacy technicians.
Mrs. Newsome has held multiple leadership roles throughout her pharmacy career, including Pharmacy Manager and MTM Lead with Walgreens, where she consistently demonstrated excellence in patient care and community engagement. Her passion for mentorship extends beyond the pharmacy, as she has served as a preceptor for future pharmacists through the University of North Texas Health Science Center since 2012.
In education, she is committed to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals through rigorous instruction, hands-on learning, and industry-aligned certification preparation. As Head of the Health Science Department and a SkillsUSA advisor, she has led students to success at district, state, and national levels, emphasizing leadership, professionalism, and service.
Mrs. Newsome’s mission is to empower students to lead with heart, integrity, and skillful excellence while making a meaningful impact in their communities and the healthcare field.
Hands on CNA Skills to prepare students for the state exam.
Annalyn Deen
Brownwood High School
Annalyn Deen is a dedicated Health Science teacher at Brownwood High School with 16 years of teaching experience and 12 years of leading the CNA program. She holds a BSN from Texas Tech, an MSN in Nursing Education from WGU, and teacher certification from UNT. Annalyn teaches medical terminology, Health Science Clinical, and Practicum of Health Science classes at BHS. She brings practical, student-centered nursing education to the classroom. She and her husband of 24 years have three children: Hayden, Hannah, and Hudson.
This session will provide mock skills exams for CNA testing using the Prometric skill checklist. Hands-on experience with explanation of test day procedures and a question-and-answer session about each skill.
The Whole Kit and Kaboodle
Melissa Rohrbough
Del Valle High School
Melissa Rohrbough received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Southwest Texas University in 1991. She holds a Texas Teaching Certificate for grades 6-12 in Composite Science and holds a Texas Teaching Certificate for grades 8-12 in Health Science. She worked as a laboratory technologist for 6 years before moving to teaching. She taught chemistry and integrated chemistry and physics for ten years before moving to health science in which she is starting her nineteenth year. She has taught various courses in health science including Principles of Health Science, Theory of Health Science, Pharmacology, Pharmacy Technician Certification, Phlebotomy Certification and Clinical Medical Assistant Certification and Patient Care Technician Certification. As a previous HOSA advisor she served 6 years on the Texas Board of Directors for HOSA . She has taught multiple workshops for THOA, Texas Health Occupations Association including Phlebotomy 101 , Haven’t thought of that and A Little of This and a Little of That. These workshops focused on bringing hands-on activities with instructional strategies for health science teachers. Her educational philosophy is very simple: she makes her classroom a place where students want to be instead of where they must be.
This workshop will equip health science educators with engaging, ready-to-use activities drawn from Principles of Health Science, Health Science Theory, Certifications, and Medical Terminology. Come build your tool kit with adaptable resources, creative lesson ideas, and fresh approaches to instruction that can be implemented immediately. Learn how to take old ideas and turn them new. It really is The Whole Kit and Kaboodle
Monday, July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 6:00pm
THOA Collaboration Power Hour Groups
Location: BLOCK T
Are you looking for some time to sit and collaborate with others who teach the same course as you? Then, join the THOA Collaboration Power Hour Groups. These participant-driven sessions are where attendees decide the topics to discuss and have an informal exchange of information and ideas between participants. So bring your questions, ideas, & expertise. Get ready to boost your course to the next level!
Collaboration Power Hour Groups and Times:
2 - 3 PM: Med Assisting/CNA & Pharm Tech/Pharmacology
3 - 4 PM: Principles of HS & Kinesiology/Personal Trainer
4 - 5 PM: Anatomy/Pathophysiology & HS Theory
5 - 6 PM: Medical Terminology & EMT
Collaboration Power Hour Groups and Times:
2 - 3 PM: Med Assisting/CNA & Pharm Tech/Pharmacology
3 - 4 PM: Principles of HS & Kinesiology/Personal Trainer
4 - 5 PM: Anatomy/Pathophysiology & HS Theory
5 - 6 PM: Medical Terminology & EMT
ReVisionary Thinking: The Science and Strategy of Adapting to Change
Courtney Clark
Courtney Clark and Associates, LLC
Courtney Clark is the luckiest unlucky person in the world. After witnessing the terrorist attacks of September 11th from her office just 18 blocks north, she thought she had escaped unscathed. Little did she know the events of 9/11 would cause a cascade of issues in her life a few years later.
Her experiences caused her to become a recognized change resilience strategist and speaker whose groundbreaking national research studies reveal critical insights into how modern teams face challenges in transition and obstacles. Courtney teaches growth-minded professionals and teams to overcome resistance by changing their plans to meet their goals—empowering them to build resilience, adapt faster, and achieve more.
Trusted by dozens of Fortune 100 companies including Amazon, Google, and Nike, Courtney delivers practical, data-driven strategies that create lasting transformation. Her expertise and approachable style have earned national media
features on CNN, Forbes, and USA Today.
Can you reach your goals, even during the unexpected? Most organizations are good at making plans, but not great at revising those plans when things change. But that’s the real work of resilience. Backed by Courtney’s research, ReVisionary Thinking offers concrete strategies for building “future readiness” when the goalposts move on you.
At the end of this session, participants will...
At the end of this session, participants will...
- Avoid the typical mistakes people make when confronted with change
- Improve mental flexibility as individuals and teams
- Understand why gut instinct fails you in unfamiliar situations—and counter it
- Generate more (and more innovative!) ideas when solving problems
Med Term Proficiency in the Clinical Setting and Workforce Experience
Location: REVEILLE
Kimberly Turnbull
Texas HOSA
Kimberly Turnbull is a BSN, RN and retired Health Science Instructor who taught for the Abilene Independent School District in Texas for 19 years. Turnbull earned her BSN at Morningside College and her certificate in Applied Technology, Training, and Development from the University of North Texas. She has 15 years of nursing experience in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Skilled Nursing, Intensive Care, and Home Health. She has earned multiple awards for her outstanding achievements in Health Science education, including the Texas Outstanding Teacher in Community Service Award from the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Teacher Tribute Awards from Abilene High School and Holland Medical High School, and Abilene Education Foundation Science Teacher of the Year. In addition, Turnbull works with Texas HOSA—Future Health Professionals on their competitive events team. Turnbull also co-authored G-W's, Introduction to Medical Terminology, 2Ed and Clinical and Employability Skills for Healthcare Professionals, 1Ed.
Linda Stanhope
Texas HOSA
Linda Stanhope is a retired Medical Technologist and taught as a Health Science Instructor for the Amarillo Independent School District in Texas for 24 years. She has worked with first-year Health Science Technology instructors in Texas as a new-teacher training specialist and aided organizations and districts in staff development and training. In addition, Stanhope works with Texas HOSA—Future Health Professionals on their competitive events team. Throughout her career, she has earned major awards, including the Health Science Lifetime Distinguished Teacher Award and Texas Health Occupations Teacher of the Year. Stanhope holds a Bachelor of Occupational Education degree from Wayland Baptist University. Stanhope also co-authored G-W's, Introduction to Medical Terminology, 2Ed and Clinical and Employability Skills for Healthcare Professionals, 1Ed.
So your students have a handle on medical terminology and abbreviations. Excellent! Let's explore ways to channel their mastery into the clinical setting, workforce experience and beyond. We will tap into G-W's Introduction to Medical Terminology, 2Ed and find relevant practice to prepare your students for their time in the healthcare setting. Our presentation will incorporate workplace skills labs, HOSA event preps, scavenger hunts, medical transcription, career discussions, medical record practice, case studies, Dr. orders and more! Join us for an action packed session that will assist you in building your toolbox for student success in healthcare.
Healthcare Careers That Matter: The Top 45 Opportunities Shaping Today's Workforce
Location: LAUREL
Angel Clark
NCHSE
Angel Clark, MSN-ED, RN
Angel Clark currently serves as Board Chair for the National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE). Her professional experience includes nursing; secondary health science educator and HOSA advisor; health science state leader and HOSA State Director; and fourteen years of service in multiple roles on the NCHSE Board. Her academic background spans nursing, pharmacy, psychology, and exercise science.
This presentation provides an engaging overview of 45 high-demand healthcare careers shaping today's workforce. Participants will explore key responsibilities associated with each career pathway, typical salary ranges, and the educational requirements necessary to support student advancement into these fields. Designed for health science educators and career advisors, this session emphasizes practical, classroom-ready insights. Participants will also be introduced to free resources to support instructional planning and enhance student career readiness.
Preparing Tomorrow's Healthcare Workers with a Comprehensive Curriculum
Location: EAGLE
Linda Creech
iCEV
Linda Creech, a Curriculum Consultant at iCEV, taught Family & Consumer Sciences at Alief ISD and Fort Bend ISD for a combined five years. She then ventured outside of her comfort zone by teaching the pregnant and parenting students across the district. Linda, also, initiated the district child care center for teen parents. She did continue with the Pregnant Education and Parenting (PEP) Program as the Supervisor when she moved into Administration as the CTE Coordinator. Linda served as a PEP Supervisor and CTE Coordinator for 25 years.” My journey in education was amazing! I was never too far from students”. She loves listening to each one…and still takes the time to listen to kids. Linda has been heard to say, “I always learn more about education and life from students…more than I ever did in any of my education courses”.
Linda “retired” after 30 years serving Fort Bend ISD and took on a new journey as a Curriculum Consultant for iCEV. Her role as a Curriculum Consultant helps her to offer genuine support for teachers. Linda’s motto has become…”when teachers are working, so am I”. That does include weekends, evenings, and holidays…always.
Healthcare is one of the world’s most critical industries and requires well-prepared professionals. To support students pursuing healthcare careers, educators need flexible resources that build foundational knowledge and practical skills. This session explores how a comprehensive Health Science curriculum can support health science programs and classroom instruction. Participants will receive an overview of iCEV course content, instructional resources, and certification-aligned materials commonly used in health science education. The session will also share examples of how educators integrate these resources into existing instruction to support learning goals, providing practical insight into curriculum implementation and instructional support.
Starla's Hands-On Body Systems: What the Rotator Cuff Can and Can't Do!
Starla Ewan
Starla's Creative Teaching Tips
[SE1.1]Starla brings over 43 years of teaching and brings a rich background of experience ranging from coaching, athletic training, all levels of Biology, college instruction of Anatomy, and years of on-site medical observation. She has been presenting successful teaching methods with teachers during conferences and staff development workshops for over 31 years.
Her teaching experience includes Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, AP Biology, Pre-AP Biology, standard Biology, and mentoring Health Science Curriculum.
The success of Starla's teaching strategies and increased student understanding of difficult material through the use of hands-on activities and teaching tricks has led her to share with teachers, massage therapists, and medical personnel nationwide.
Starla also works with new year teacher mentorship programs to facilitate a successful transition into the teaching profession and staff developments for campus faculty to coordinate a successful and consistent learning environment for students.
If you would like to contact Starla about lessons from the modules or to arrange for her to conduct a dynamic workshop for your school or conference, just email her at sewan15@yahoo.com or call her at 806-787-6018.
Your instructors will love the time spent in a workshop that gives them fun and successful lessons to take back to the classroom.
Medical personnel and massage therapists will love the application of these lessons to their healing practice.
Instructors will receive teaching techniques for guiding students through a fun “pocket lesson” that can stand alone or be added into a bigger lesson. This affordable lesson will guide instructors to teach students to build the rotator cuff out of brightly colored clay. The building will include simple and advanced lessons that can be used for all levels of health science, anatomy, and sports medicine classes. Common pathology will applied! Take home your clay rotator cuff at the end of the session!
EMT Practicum in the High School setting - Let's Dive In!
Misty Overfelt
Florence High School
Misty Overfelt graduated from Phillips University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science, which launched her career in athletic training. She also holds a Masters in Health Science in Teaching and Learning from the University of St. Augustine (2022). In 2005 while at Palestine High School, she served as athletic trainer, teacher, coach, and Drug Testing Program Coordinator while expanding student opportunities. In 2013, she moved to Florence High School, her alma mater, and established another successful student athletic training program. Later, she transitioned to teach the health science pathway and sponsor HOSA, allowing more time for family. She has established an EMT program from the ground up at two different school districts. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hunting, working on the family home place, and participating in various shooting competitions.
Considering adding EMT or already have it in place? Are you wondering what it takes to build and sustain a successful EMT program? Join me as I share ideas, strategies, and lessons learned from my experience. Building a strong program can be challenging, whether just getting started or looking to improve what you already have. Come explore the possibilities, ask questions, and collaborate on ways to make your program successful. I’ve had the opportunity to start two high school EMT programs, and I’ll share what worked, what I learned, and what continues to be successful.
Stack It Up: Creating High‑Impact Health Science Programs with Stackable Credentials
Location: OAK
Nigora McGill
NHA-National Healthcareer Association
Nigora McGill has been with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for over four years, supporting health science programs through certification pathways, learning resources, and strategic program guidance. She works specifically with schools and districts across Texas, helping educators implement stackable credentials that strengthen student readiness and align with statewide workforce needs. Nigora is dedicated to empowering teachers and improving outcomes for students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Sia Mendoza
NHA-National Healthcareer Association
Sia has been with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for two years and works closely with school districts across Texas to support the implementation of health science certifications and learning resources. Based in Texas, she partners with educators to strengthen program outcomes, enhance student preparedness, and align classroom instruction with statewide workforce needs.
Stackable credentials are one of the fastest ways to launch students into high‑demand careers. In this dynamic session, discover how progressive certification pathways empower students to build real‑world skills, gain confidence, and step into the workforce with a competitive edge.
Explore how stackable pathways that incorporate multiple credentials create flexible routes to immediate job opportunities and long‑term success for students and programs. You’ll also see how NHA’s tools can help elevate instruction, track growth, and strengthen competency development, and collaborate with programs currently stacking credentials to boost student engagement, employer satisfaction, and program success.
What scares you more than the doctor? Billing and Coding!
Andrea Smith
Nimitz Sr. High School
Andrea Smith, D.C., a native Houstonian, is a health science instructor at Nimitz Senior High School. She is the coordinator of the health science clinical rotation and medical billing and coding program.
Dr. Smith attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Sociology. She graduated in 2010 from Texas Chiropractic College. Dr. Smith serves as an independent consultant and is the owner of The Art of Healing Chiropractic. She comes to you with over ten years of experience in personal injury, major medical (insurance), workers’ compensation, and sports medicine.
When not at school or in the office, she loves spending time with her husband and two children
Billing and coding can be intimidating, especially if you do not have the background. But what you do have is medical experience. Learn how to use your field of study in teaching billing and coding.
The Layers to First-Time Success: Understanding Why Students Fail the CNA Exam
Julie Reynolds
Northeast Independent School District (NEISD)
Julie Reynolds, better known as Nurse JAR, is a seasoned nurse educator with over 16 years of experience in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training. She is the creator behind a widely recognized YouTube platform dedicated to helping CNA students master both the written and skills components of their certification exams. Known for her engaging, student-centered teaching style, Julie develops innovative training strategies that simplify complex concepts and build testing confidence. She is passionate about empowering future healthcare professionals and equipping instructors with practical tools that drive student success both in the classroom and on exam day.
Many CNA students fail the exam, not from lack of knowledge or know how, but lack of strategy. This session introduces the Layers to CNA Exam Success. Nurse JAR will showcase how these layers transform student thinking, improve decision-making, and increase first-time pass rates. Attendees will explore proactive diagnostic tools used to identify breakdowns in student performance and learn practical strategies to strengthen outcomes that can immediately be integrated and implemented into their training programs. The session will also highlight services available to support schools and districts in improving CNA program success.
Gig'Em for Good: Expanding New Nursing Pathways in the Rio Grande Valley
Hanna Watson
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Hanna Watson is a nursing student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Texas A&M University and is originally from Dallas, Texas. She plans to work in the intensive care unit (ICU) after graduating in Fall 2027. Her professional interests include critical care, patient advocacy, and emergency response. Hanna is attending the conference as part of a student group presentation and looks forward to contributing to health education while gaining professional experience.
Gianna Aleman
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Gianna Aleman is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at Texas A&M University with a deep passion for critical care and serving patients during their most vulnerable moments. Inspired by early exposure to healthcare and mentors who modeled clinical excellence and compassion, Gianna is committed to developing both strong technical skills and a heart for advocacy. Her background in hands-on patient care has strengthened her interest in high-acuity settings such as the ICU and emergency department, where she hopes to combine leadership, resilience, and empathy. Gianna is attending the conference as part of a student group presentation and looks forward to learning, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and continuing to grow into the kind of nurse who leads with both skill and integrity.
Isabella Pena
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Howdy, my name is Isabella Luciana Peña. I was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley Texas and have proudly and compassionately served my community as a licensed vocational nurse for the past two and a half years. I currently specialize in the care of newborns in a postpartum setting. Throughout my nursing career, I have grown both professionally and personally. Advancing my education at Texas A&M College of Nursing in McAllen, Texas has allowed me to continue practicing as an LVN while pursuing my studies, gaining knowledge that will be of exceptional value in the near future.
Ashley Zamora
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
My name is Ashley Zamora, and I am a nursing student at Texas A&M University in McAllen. I am originally from Harlingen, Texas, and growing up in the Rio Grande Valley has shaped my strong sense of community and passion for serving others. As I begin my journey in nursing school, I am motivated to provide compassionate, patient-centered care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of my future patients. As a first-generation college student, I am dedicated to working hard, growing both personally and professionally, and becoming a knowledgeable, empathetic nurse.
LeRoy Marklund
Texas A&M University - CON
Dr. LeRoy A. Marklund is a 30½-year U.S. Army Veteran and clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M University School of Nursing. In May 2020, he was recalled out of retirement and served on active-duty in support of the COVID-19 pandemic at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. His academic interests are military healthcare, disaster preparedness, trauma resuscitation, emerging infectious diseases, and team building. Since July 2018, he has taught undergraduate nursing courses. He is a committee member for TAMU Troops to College, Honor Council, and Interprofessional Education and Research program’s Disaster Day and Operation Border Health Preparedness. Currently Dr. Marklund is a clinical assistant professor and dean for undergraduate nursing program at TAMU, McAllen Texas.
Lucero Gonzalez
Texas A&M University - College of Nursing
Lucero Gonzalez is a proud professor at Texas A&M University’s new College of Nursing campus in McAllen, where she has the honor of teaching the inaugural nursing cohort. With more than a decade of experience in secondary education, she previously certified high school students in nationally recognized medical certifications, building a strong foundation for her transition into higher education. She brings a little under two decades of nursing experience, including extensive hospital practice, into the classroom. She earned her BSN from Texas A&M, her master’s degree from UTRGV, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Texas A&M. As a Latina first-generation graduate, her lived experiences strongly contribute to her success, leadership, and commitment to student mentorship.
In 2026, Texas A&M University opened a third Nursing Program site located in McAllen, Texas, which is the heart of the Rio Grande Valley. The purpose of this program is to shape future Aggie nursing students to serve locally in their community and deliver well deserved high quality healthcare. Our vision is to provided an affordable Aggie experience to students who may not have the means to travel away from home for college. This foresight also allows competent and compassionate Aggie registered nurses (RNs) to fill the current nursing shortage and allow the expansion of much needed rural healthcare.
Outbreak Response: A Real-World Infection Control Project for Pathophysiology
Ben Wilkinson
Allen ISD
I have been teaching for 13 years and 12 of those years at Allen High School. I have been teaching Pathophysiology for 9 years and Anatomy for 7 years. Both of my classes are run in a flipped/mastery learning method.
What happens when students are challenged to think like public health professionals? In this session, participants will explore a dynamic, project-based learning experience where students design and defend realistic infection control plans. Grounded in TEKS standards and real-world data, this multi-day activity pushes students to research disease progression, evaluate CDC and local guidelines, collaborate as teams, and present to a panel of healthcare experts. Attendees will walk away with a ready-to-use framework that promotes critical thinking, student ownership, and authentic application of pathophysiology concepts.
Connecting the Dots: It all works Together in HOSA Management
Janet Villarreal
HOSA - Future Health Professionals | Texas
Registered Radiologic Technologist; cross-trained in Ultrasound and Nuclear Medicine Employed at Doctors Hospital (1981 to 1993) Health Science Instructor: United South High School and United North High School (1994-2006) Served on the Texas HOSA Board of Directors: Area 7 Representative (2004-2006)Employed as Texas HOSA Executive Director in 2006 with 11,000 members; in 2018-2019, Today Texas HOSA membership exceeded 40,000 members with more than 1000 chapters
Linda Stanhope
Texas HOSA
Linda Stanhope is a retired Medical Technologist and Health Science Instructor, where she taught for 24 years for the Amarillo Independent School District in Texas. Currently, she works with Texas HOSA (Future Health Professionals) on their competitive event team. Stanhope has spent many years mentoring new teachers and writing curriculum for Health Science. Throughout her career, she has earned major awards including the Health Science Lifetime Distinguished Teacher Award and Texas Health Occupations Teacher of the Year. Stanhope holds a Bachelor of Occupational Education degree from Wayland Baptist University.
Wanda Herfarth
Texas HOSA
Wanda Herfarth is a Registered Nurse and a retired Health Science Teacher who taught health science in Texas for 22 years in Pearland and Clear Creek ISD. She currently works as the THOA registrar and as the HOSA Competitive Events Supervisor.
This breakout session will walk participants through how the key parts of the HOSA system fit together to create a smooth experience from registration to payment. We’ll cover how to navigate the registration site, manage invoices and account balances, and learn how to print invoices for records or reimbursements. Participants will also gain a clear understanding of the difference between BIG HOSA (National HOSA) and Texas HOSA, including how the two organizations collaborate and where their responsibilities differ. By the end of the session, attendees will see the full picture of how these components connect.
How to get your National Board Certification and how it affects your TIA
Caren Wonders
Pearland ISD
Caren Wonders has been in medical education for the past 26 years, first as an athletic trainer. She is committed to her students' success as well as her team that makes it all happen. Caren currently teaches Medical Billing and Coding, Health Science Theory and Clinical Rotations with EKG.
Monica Jackson
Bryan ISD
Monica Jackson has been in education for the last 10 years as a health science teacher. Before going to the classroom, Monica educated student athletes on their body health through rehab, nutrition, and mental health. She is dedicated to bringing new experiences to her classroom and students. Her goal is to produce productive members of society.
This presentation explores the process of becoming National Board Certified and how it aligns with and strengthens outcomes within the Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) system. Participants will gain a clear understanding of National Board Certification (NBC), its impact on instructional effectiveness, and how it can directly contribute to teacher designation levels and increased compensation through TIA.
Function of the Kidneys ( OR.....Let's Make Pee!!!)
Deanie Gold
Retired
After 35 years in public education, I am now enjoying retirement by sharing knowledge and skills with new teachers. I definitely believe in sharing - there's no need to re-invent the wheel! After all, a cell is still a cell, and mitochondira are still mitochondria - even after 35 years! (Don't get it?? Check with me later!)
Attendees will participate in a hands-on lab activity exploring the function of the kidneys. Basic stucture will be reviewed. Using manipulatives, attendees will demonstrate how the kidneys eliminate toxins and wastes, while conserving other blood components, ultimately resulting in the production of urine.
Mini-Medical School-a win, win, win project for your program
Tana Holmes
Boerne High School 1225
Tana Holmes is an award-winning, recently retired health science educator who has been blessed to teach thousands of future healthcare professionals over 35+ years in high school and college clinical and classroom programs.
She is also a wife, mother, grandmother, published children's book author, and lover of the outdoors.
Ready to recruit future students, fund your HOSA, hype your program, and hand your current students real-world leadership—all in one bold move? Mini-Medical School is the ultimate summer glow-up for your health science program. In this fast-paced, tell-it-like-it-is session, you’ll learn exactly how to plan, organize, staff, and run a medical camp for 5th–8th graders that kids beg to attend and parents rave about. Expect logistics, staffing hacks, activity ideas, and lessons learned—so you can launch a camp that sells itself.
Nurse Aide Training to Certification: Strategies for Educators!
Vicky Castillo
FACETS Healthcare Training
Vicky Castillo, MSN, RN, CNE, has more than 39 years of nursing experience across a variety of healthcare settings. For the past 17 years, she has focused extensively on nurse aide education and certification services, serving as a program director, instructor, consultant, and certification test evaluator for both Headmaster and Prometric.
Vicky is the founder and owner of FACETS Healthcare Training, the only national state-specific nurse aide test preparation and resource platform designed for both instructors and students. She brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to nurse aide educators, with a strong commitment to supporting both instructors and students and helping expand the CNA workforce.
Preparing students for nurse aide certification requires effective teaching strategies and reliable resources! This session introduces FACETS Healthcare Training, a national and Texas-specific nurse aide test preparation and resource platform designed to support educators and their students. Participants will receive a brief overview of the program, followed by a demonstration of features. The session will highlight how educators can strengthen instruction, improve student confidence, and increase certification exam success with Prometric. Attendees will also explore practical tools and resources that can be immediately implemented in their programs to support students from training through certification. Additional resources at facetshealthcare.com
Teaching What You Did Not Learn: A Dental Professional's Framework for Empowering Non-Clinical Health Science Educators
Linda Millard
High School
Linda Millard, BSDH, M.Ed., CDHC, FADHA is a dental hygiene clinician, educator, and Fellow of the American Dental Hygienists' Association with more than 35 years of experience spanning clinical dental assisting, dental hygiene practice, and health science education. Currently a certified health science teacher at Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, she is passionate about equipping non-dental educators with the clinical knowledge and instructional confidence they need to prepare students for DANB certification and beyond.
Across Texas, health science educators are increasingly charged with delivering dental assisting curricula — including preparation for Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification — without a clinical dental background. This reality creates a significant instructional confidence gap that directly affects student outcomes and first-time certification pass rates.
This 45 minute, hands-on workshop, facilitated by a licensed dental health professional and educator, is designed to close that gap. Participants will be guided through clinical translation strategies that make complex dental concepts accessible to non-dental instructors. Activities include radiographic error analysis, infection control simulation, and OSHA compliance practice.
This 45 minute, hands-on workshop, facilitated by a licensed dental health professional and educator, is designed to close that gap. Participants will be guided through clinical translation strategies that make complex dental concepts accessible to non-dental instructors. Activities include radiographic error analysis, infection control simulation, and OSHA compliance practice.
'Launching Your HOSA Chapter: From Approval to Leadership Success'
LINDA GUERRA
Texas HOSA
Linda Guerra is a certified Medical Lab Scientist(ASCP) with a degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from UT Health San Antonio. She also holds a degree in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry from Texas Tech University. Prior to her career in education, she worked in a Molecular Diagnostics Lab at UT Health and in the Microbiology Lab at University Hospital for several years.
Linda began her teaching career in 1999 at Samuel Clemens High School in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, where she taught Chemistry and IPC for six years. In 2005, she joined Byron P. Steele High School when it opened as the district’s newest campus. She is currently in her 30th year in education and her 15th year teaching Health Science courses.
Throughout her career, Linda has taught a wide range of courses, including Principles of Health Science, Medical Terminology, Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, and Health Science Practicum, where she prepares and certifies students in Medical Assisting.
She has been actively involved with HOSA for the past 15 years as a local chapter advisor and has served on the Texas HOSA Board of Directors as both the Area 1 Representative and Board President. She currently serves as an Advisor Mentor for Texas HOSA.
This session is designed to guide students and advisors through the steps of starting and running a new HOSA chapter. Participants will learn how to navigate the initial process of gaining approval from school administration, including how to present the value of HOSA and align it with school goals. The session will then cover how to effectively organize a chapter, recruit members, and establish a strong foundation for growth along with developing chapter bylaws and best practices.
By the end of the session, participants will leave with practical tools, templates, and confidence to build and lead a thriving HOSA chapter.
Parliamentarians to the Rescue: Helping ParliPro Advisors Help Their Teams
Tamesia Garner
Flonnie Mae Larimer Parliamentary Unit
Tamesia Garner is the President of the Flonnie Mae Larimer Parliamentary Unit, based in Houston, Texas. The Unit is the oldest, active Unit in Texas and is a part of the National Association of Parliamentarians, along with the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians. The Unit has been recognized for the Outstanding Programming Award by TSAP for the last three out of four years. At the 2024 State Convention, President Garner was named the Parliamentarian of the Year, based on her continued work with student parliamentarians and teaching parliamentary law to several other organizations. She is also a Distinguished Toastmaster.
Parliamentarians to the Rescue: Helping ParliPro Advisors Help Their Teams is an opportunity for Parliamentarians who have evaluated numerous ParliPro Teams at both the Area and State Contests to share what we have seen and offer some suggestions to war-weary Advisors who are not Parliamentarians, but want to support their Teams to the best of their ability.
We will bring some best practices to address areas Students face in their competition rounds. The Students work all year, and we want to see them excel on Competition Day.
We will bring some best practices to address areas Students face in their competition rounds. The Students work all year, and we want to see them excel on Competition Day.
Prescribing Productivity: Helping Students Use NotebookLM AI to Mastering Health Science Content
Bobbie Kite
Lubbock Cooper High School
Bobbie is an RN with 20+ years of experience. She graduated from Texas Tech University School of Nursing with a BSN in 2003. She received her professional certification in high-risk inpatient obstetrics, and is certified in limited obstetrical sonography. Bobbie worked for 17 years in Labor and Delivery, and was a childbirth educator for many years. Bobbie has been a certified pharmacy technician for over 20 years and currently teaches pharmacology, med term, health science theory, and the pharmacy technician and PCT certification course at Lubbock-Cooper Liberty High School in Lubbock, TX.
In the fast-paced world of Health Science education, students are often buried under a mountain of complex terminology, dense anatomical diagrams, and rigorous clinical guidelines. Enter NotebookLM, a source-grounded AI collaborator that acts as a personalized "digital lab assistant" for the modern student.
This session will explore how to empower students to transform their lecture notes, and research papers, and even NHA focused reviews into interactive study hubs. We will "dissect" the core features of NotebookLM—including its ability to generate instant study guides, and create "Audio Overviews" that turn hours of reading into engaging, podcast-style discussions.
This session will explore how to empower students to transform their lecture notes, and research papers, and even NHA focused reviews into interactive study hubs. We will "dissect" the core features of NotebookLM—including its ability to generate instant study guides, and create "Audio Overviews" that turn hours of reading into engaging, podcast-style discussions.
Purposeful Teaching through Interactive Labs and Activities
Kesli Coffelt
Shallowater high school
Dr. Kesli Coffelt, OTR, OTD is an Occupational Therapist with Shallowater ISD & current health
science teacher of the CTE courses, Occupational Therapy I & II. She has a Bachelor of Science
degree from Texas Christian University, Master of Occupational Therapy Degree and Post
Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree from Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center with emphasis in curriculum design and teaching. She has 13 years experience
as an occupational therapy practitioner including treatment, management, and as an Adjunct
Professor at TTUHSC. Kesli has been teaching the OTI and OTII courses at Shallowater ISD
since Fall of 2022, was a TEKS committee member to build the courses, continues to work on
course development including clinical rotations and appropriate Industry Based Certifications.
Engaging students is hard. Engaging students with difficult material is even harder! This session explores ways to teach with a bigger bang for your buck by using interactive "labs" to promote student engagement and learning. You will learn practical teaching strategies that are proven to be effective for student retention, explore ways to use interactive lessons (labs) to promote hands on engagement. Ideas will focus on anatomy & physiology, kinesiology/rehabilitation sciences and patient care.
Rural Student to Medical Student
Chris Diem
Texas A&M Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine
Dr. Chris Diem serves as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for the Texas A&M University College of Medicine (Round Rock campus), where he has worked for nearly half of his 23-year career in education. He is actively involved in career advising and planning for all Round Rock-based medical students while dedicating a significant amount of time to community and rural medicine programming. He has been honored to receive the Buck Weirus Spirit Award (2004), Association of Former Students’ 12 Under 12 Young Alumni Spotlight Award (2013), the College of Medicine’s Core Value in Excellence Award (2020), Texas A&M’s Presidential Meritorious Service Award (2021), the John J. Koldus Award from the Texas A&M Division of Student Affairs (2022), and Killeen ISD Distinguished Alumni (2025). Dr. Diem is an active member of his community as he either currently or has served as Deacon and chairman of multiple committees at First Baptist Church-Killeen, board member for the Salado ISD Board of Trustees, board member for the Central Texas Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, board member for the Killeen ISD Education Foundation, President and board member of the Rotary Club of Harker Heights, chairman of the board for Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of Texas West Region, and public policy chairman for Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce. He has also held several volunteer leadership roles with the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, including his current role as an area representative and member of the leadership council. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University, a Master’s in Educational Administration from Tarleton State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. He and his wife Jessica live in Salado, Texas, and are the proud parents of 3 boys.
Magen Jordan
Texas A&M Telehealth Institute
Magen Jordan is a public health professional and Doctor of Public Health student at Texas A&M University. She serves as Program Manager for Project ECHO at the Telehealth Institute, leading educational training initiatives for rural K–12 schools and advancing Project ECHO’s model to provide training and mentorship that strengthens health systems and ensures timely access to quality care. Her work spans maternal health, mental health, and health education, with a strong focus on equity, access, and community engagement.
Carol Brewer
Texas A&M Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine
Carol Brewer, M.Ed. serves as the Director of K–12 Rural Medicine Outreach for the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine. In this role, she leads statewide outreach efforts designed to promote healthcare career pathways for Texas students and strengthen support for rural school districts and communities. Her work advances college readiness, career awareness, and long-term workforce development with a focus on improving access to healthcare careers across rural Texas.
Carol brings a strong blend of clinical and educational leadership to her work. After a 20-year career in nursing, she transitioned into education where she served as a Health Science teacher, College, Career & Military Readiness (CCMR) Advisor, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director. Her experience bridges the worlds of healthcare and education, allowing her to build meaningful programs that connect students to post-secondary healthcare opportunities and inspire the next generation of rural healthcare professionals.
Carol is the proud mother of four adult children and grandmother of five. She and her husband live on a small ranch in Uvalde County, where her commitment to rural Texas is both professional and personal.
Lauren Morgan
Texas A&M Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine
Lauren Morgan is the Program Manager for the Rural Medicine K–12 Outreach program, where she leads statewide efforts to promote healthcare careers among rural Texas students. She brings a strong background in both nursing and health science education, allowing her to effectively bridge classroom learning with real-world healthcare pathways. In her role, Lauren works closely with schools and communities across Texas to expand access to career exploration, college awareness, and experiential learning opportunities in healthcare. Outside of her professional work, Lauren and her husband are raising three children and stay actively involved in youth sports, including baseball, softball, and soccer. She is deeply committed to making a lasting impact on rural Texas youth and strengthening the future healthcare workforce.
Rural Texas faces ongoing healthcare shortages driven by limited access and workforce gaps. This session highlights how Texas A&M University’s Rural Medicine Program supports a seamless pathway from rural K–12 students to medical careers through three integrated strategies: K–12 Rural Medicine Outreach, School to Scrubs, and Project ECHO–School to Scrubs. Presenters will share how early career exposure, educator support, and virtual mentoring expand access to healthcare pathways for rural students while strengthening community partnerships and long-term workforce development across Texas.
Hosting a Shattered Lives/Dreams Event
Kaitlin Cook
COCISD
I am a dedicated Health Science teacher at Coldspring-Oakhurst High School, entering my 10th year in education. My diverse professional background includes experience as a Veterinary Technician, an Army Combat Medic Veteran, and work with both EMS transfer services and 911 response teams. I have also served as Chief of a First Responder Organization, demonstrating strong leadership and a commitment to emergency care. In addition to teaching, I am a certified instructor in Stop the Bleed, AHA CPR, and EMS, allowing me to equip others with life-saving skills and real-world medical knowledge.
Shattered Lives/Dreams is an educational program that demonstrates the real-life consequences of high-risk behaviors such as impaired driving and distracted driving. Through realistic scenarios, personal stories, and emergency responder perspectives, it shows how one poor decision can permanently impact lives and communities. This session provides an overview of the program’s purpose and structure, highlighting how it engages students in meaningful discussions about prevention, responsibility, and safety. Participants will learn how this program is promoting awareness and life-saving skills that empower students to make informed choices.
HOSA 101: Guidelines, Preparation and Success!
Wanda Herfarth
Texas HOSA
Wanda Herfarth is a Registered Nurse and a retired Health Science Teacher who taught health science in Texas for 22 years in Pearland and Clear Creek ISD. She currently works as the THOA registrar and as the HOSA Competitive Events Supervisor.
Linda Stanhope
Texas HOSA
Linda Stanhope is a retired Medical Technologist and Health Science Instructor, where she taught for 24 years for the Amarillo Independent School District in Texas. Currently, she works with Texas HOSA (Future Health Professionals) on their competitive event team. Stanhope has spent many years mentoring new teachers and writing curriculum for Health Science. Throughout her career, she has earned major awards including the Health Science Lifetime Distinguished Teacher Award and Texas Health Occupations Teacher of the Year. Stanhope holds a Bachelor of Occupational Education degree from Wayland Baptist University.
Lets walk through the Texas HOSA Website together to help you and your students learn how to be successful as you prepare for HOSA Competition in the great state of Texas!
Topics will include: Texas HOSA Guidelines; Dress Codes; Preparing your students for competition; General Rules and Regulations; What to expect once you get to competition. Helpful tricks and tips for Texas HOSA!
Topics will include: Texas HOSA Guidelines; Dress Codes; Preparing your students for competition; General Rules and Regulations; What to expect once you get to competition. Helpful tricks and tips for Texas HOSA!
CTE State Update
William Phelps
TEA
William Phelps is a Statewide Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator at the Texas Education Agency with extensive experience in education leadership, workforce development, and program management. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he has held leadership roles across school districts, education service centers, and charter networks, specializing in policy development, grant management, and industry alignment. William is passionate about building strong pipelines between education and high-demand careers to drive economic mobility and student success.
I will give a TEA Health Science update.
Double Tap or Danger? The Impact of Social Media on Health & The Role of Future Healthcare Professionals
LaToyia McDonald
Career Institute North -DallasISD
LaToyia McDonald is proud to be entering her sixth year of teaching with Dallas ISD. As a Dallas ISD alumna (Class of 2006), she is deeply committed to giving back to the community that helped shape her.
Ms. McDonald earned her Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from Texas Southern University and brings over 15 years of healthcare experience into the classroom. Prior to becoming a full-time educator, she worked as a certified pharmacy technician, beginning her career in 2008 and earning certification in 2009. She later advanced her expertise as a compounding intravenous (IV) pharmacy technician, gaining experience in a variety of pharmacy settings.
One of her most meaningful experiences was working at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, where she prepared IV and chemotherapy medications for pediatric patients. This experience deepened her passion for working with children and inspired her transition into education.
Today, Ms. McDonald is dedicated to preparing students for success in the medical field by combining real-world healthcare experience with engaging, career-focused instruction. She is passionate about empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to pursue future careers in healthcare.
In today’s digital age, social media platforms are often the first place students turn for health information—yet not all content is accurate or safe. This interactive session will engage participants in examining the impact of social media on both physical and mental health, with a focus on misinformation, comparison culture, and anxiety.
Through real-world examples and hands-on activities, attendees will learn how to teach students to identify credible sources, challenge misleading health trends, and develop critical thinking skills. The session will also emphasize empowering students as future healthcare professionals to use social media responsibly .
Diagnosing Excellence: How National Board Certification Elevates Health Science Teaching
Sara Hansen
Humble ISD
Sara is in her 11th year of teaching Health Science at Atascocita High School in Humble ISD. Prior to teaching, she was an athletic trainer for 14 years. Sara loves teaching patients about rehab and the best ways to prevent injuries, and moving to teaching health science has only increased her love of teaching.
National Board Certification represents the gold standard of accomplished teaching, aligning reflective practice, instructional excellence, and student impact. This presentation explores the professional, instructional, and personal benefits of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher, with a focus on relevance for Health Science educators. Participants will gain insight into how the certification process strengthens clinical-style reflection, improves student outcomes, and validates effective teaching practices through evidence-based standards. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of why National Board Certification is a powerful investment in both educators and the students they serve.
Informative Session: Exercise Science, Wellness, and Restoration Program of Study with Associated IBC's
Kesli Coffelt
Shallowater high school
Dr. Kesli Coffelt, OTR, OTD is an Occupational Therapist with Shallowater ISD & current health science teacher of the CTE courses, Occupational Therapy I & II. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University, Master of Occupational Therapy Degree and Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with emphasis in curriculum design and teaching. She has 13 years experience as an occupational therapy practitioner including treatment, management, and as an Adjunct Professor at TTUHSC. Kesli has been teaching the OTI and OTII courses at Shallowater ISD since Fall of 2022, was a TEKS committee member to build the courses, continues to work on course development including clinical rotations and appropriate Industry Based Certification, Physical Therapy Technician (aide) Certification.
This presentation will focus on the Exercise Science, Wellness, and Restoration Program of study. Including how to create a program at your school, associated industry based certifications and information related to teaching the courses within this program of study. Teaching Rehabilitation CTE courses to high school students is challenging. Time will be allowed for networking, problem solving regarding program development, & how to teach various concepts. In addition, the plan is to build a networking community so please attend. Please email kcoffelt@shallowaterisd.net with topics of conversation or questions for preparation purposes.
Scrubs to School: Financial Planning for Your Next Chapter
Stephanie Baker
Klein ISD
Stephanie Baker is a registered nurse with nine years of experience in labor and delivery, where she also served as a childbirth educator. Her clinical background includes work as a forensic nurse examiner, providing care for patients experiencing physical and sexual assault. She later earned her Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and practiced in women’s health.
For the past nine years, Stephanie has brought her real-world healthcare experience into the classroom as a health science educator in Klein ISD. She has taught a wide range of courses including Principles of Health Science, Medical Terminology, Health Science Clinical, Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pharmacy Technician Certification, and serves as a HOSA advisor, mentoring future healthcare professionals.
Stephanie lives in the Houston area and is a proud mom of two (ages 17 and 22) and two energetic dogs. She is a Certified Financial Education Instructor and is passionate about helping others — especially fellow educators — build confidence and clarity around their financial lives.
Transitioning from healthcare to education often means trading higher pay and overtime for purpose — and often a tighter budget. Many educators assume their pension will be enough, only to discover gaps in long-term security. This practical session provides realistic strategies to manage your income, reduce financial stress, and build retirement savings beyond the pension. Learn how to budget on a teacher salary, understand supplemental retirement options, and avoid common pitfalls. Leave with clear, actionable steps to strengthen both your current finances and your future retirement readiness.
Supporting Health Science Educators: What's New at iCEV
Location: EAGLE
Linda Creech
iCEV
Linda Creech, a Curriculum Consultant at iCEV, taught Family & Consumer Sciences at Alief ISD and Fort Bend ISD for a combined five years. She then ventured outside of her comfort zone by teaching the pregnant and parenting students across the district. Linda, also, initiated the district child care center for teen parents. She did continue with the Pregnant Education and Parenting (PEP) Program as the Supervisor when she moved into Administration as the CTE Coordinator. Linda served as a PEP Supervisor and CTE Coordinator for 25 years.” My journey in education was amazing! I was never too far from students”. She loves listening to each one…and still takes the time to listen to kids. Linda has been heard to say, “I always learn more about education and life from students…more than I ever did in any of my education courses”.
Linda “retired” after 30 years serving Fort Bend ISD and took on a new journey as a Curriculum Consultant for iCEV. Her role as a Curriculum Consultant helps her to offer genuine support for teachers. Linda’s motto has become…”when teachers are working, so am I”. That does include weekends, evenings, and holidays…always.
Lana McDermott
iCEV
Will provide.
Existing iCEV Health Science subscribers seeking to strengthen instruction will not want to miss this professional development session. Participants will learn how to customize Health Science courses, build and manage custom assessments, and adapt existing lessons to better align with instructional goals and classroom needs. The session will share practical strategies for extending iCEV lessons into structured, hands-on learning experiences that reinforce health science concepts and skill development. By intentionally connecting digital content to active, classroom-based learning, educators can improve student engagement, support deeper understanding, and maximize the instructional impact of iCEV’s Health Science curriculum.
Health Informatics: High-Demand Texas Health Careers Without Direct Patient Care
David Gibbs
Texas State University
David Gibbs, PhD, MS, ACHIP, CPHIMS, CPHI, CHDA, CHPS, CISSP, FHIMSS, is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Informatics & Information Management at Texas State University. He oversees a department of full- and part-time faculty and staff members conducting research and delivering graduate and undergraduate degree programs on campus and online. Dr. Gibbs earned a PhD in adult, professional, and community education, an MS in biomedical informatics, and an MS in online teaching and learning following a foundational undergraduate degree in computer science. His research on interprofessional health informatics education is published in scholarly journals and textbook chapters. He actively serves HIMSS, AMIA, AHIMA, TxHIMA, IEEE, InfraGard, and other professional organizations on a variety of national and local committees including the AMIA Academic Forum, TxHIMA Board of Directors, HIMSS Privacy & Security Committee, HIMSS Central Texas Chapter Board of Directors, and the HIMSS Emerging Healthcare Leaders Task Force. He routinely presents at global, national, and state conferences. Dr. Gibbs transitioned to academia from corporate and government consulting in 2015, bringing over 30 years of experience in technical and leadership roles, including federal healthcare information systems and solutions architecture. His consulting experience includes multi-year assignments with Hewlett Packard and Lockheed Martin in leadership roles supporting enterprise-level projects for the US Army Medical Information Technology Center, Defense Health Agency, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and National Security Complex. He was previously a visiting instructor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of the Pacific. For significant and sustained professional contributions, scholarly achievements, and demonstrated leadership, Dr. Gibbs has been recognized as a Senior Member of IEEE, a Fellow of HIMSS, recipient of the 2024 TxHIMA Legacy Award, and recipient of the 2025 John A. Page Distinguished HIMSS Fellow Award.
Today’s healthcare runs on digital information as well as compassion and patient care. Texas healthcare employers increasingly rely on data, digital records, analytics, privacy/compliance, and technology-enabled care. Yet many students, parents, and educators still equate “health careers” only with direct patient care roles. This session explains health informatics and health information management (HIM) as fast-growing, high-salary, high-impact options that keep students in the healthcare ecosystem without requiring bedside care—ideal for students who want to work in healthcare and apply skills with technology, management, organization, problem-solving, business, or law/policy.
Hyperbaric Medicine use in clinical practice
Arnold Zweeres
EPISD JeffersonSilva High School
Mr. Arnold Zweeres is currently an HST teacher for Silva Health Magnet High School, he serves as a HOSA Advisor, HOSA coach and is co-sponsor of the Los Zorros Financial Group, an economics club here at the school, and is the Senior PTECH Program instructor. He also had the opportunities to serve as past assistant theatre director, and Department Chair for the Health Science Technology Department at Silva. He has accumulated over 30 years of healthcare and diving experience, his background consists of Paramedic, Commercial Diver, Dive Medical Technologist and Certified Hyperbaric Technologist, he also holds credentials in Mixed Gas Diving and Technical Diver. For his formal education he holds an Associate in Applied Marine Technology, a BBA and MBA. Mr. Zweeres has also taught at various colleges and universities in Las Cruces New Mexico and El-Paso Texas additionally, he has served as department director for a major acute care hospital, he is an Associate Member of both the Underwater Hyperbaric Medical Society, where he serves as an Accreditations Surveyor, and the International Hyperbaric Medical Society. He serves on numerous healthcare advisory boards and has been invited as conference speaker for numerous Respiratory Conferences.
To present to the HST Teacher how HBO works, the physics and physiology behind it's applications. The methods used, the applicable diagnosis, it's contraindications and limits of outcomes. I would like to offer this instruction for teachers to add to and relate its use and limits to the students, I will discuss cases my department has worked, research done, its history and its failures, and incidents involving misuse relating in serious injuries and death. I believe students can gain benefits from this knowledge.
Clinical Readiness Step by Step for a Successful Start and Beyond
Mari Dunlap
Spring Branch ISD
Dr. Mari Dunlap is a health science educator with over 10 years of experience. Originally from Japan, she currently serves as a Teacher on Special Assignment with Spring Branch ISD, overseeing the Health Science program and coordinating clinical partnerships with local healthcare providers. She is passionate about preparing students for careers in healthcare and providing real-world learning experiences.
In this session, we will discuss tips and success stories related to clinical partnerships. The presentation will cover how to initiate the process, build meaningful and effective partnerships, and provide a practical checklist to prepare students for clinical experiences. Additionally, strategies for fostering leadership and promoting college and career readiness in health science will be shared.
Cross program collaboration for safety certifications.
Monical Jackson
Bryan ISD
Monica Jackson has been in medical education as an athletic trainer and now a health science teacher. She believes in bringing real world experience to classroom and students. Jackson currently teaches Principles of HST and Biomedical at Bryan High School.
Caren Wonders
Pearland ISD
Caren Wonders started in education as an athletic trainer. She now teaches Medical Billing and Coding, Health Science Theory and Clinical rotation. Wonders enjoys broadening her students' experiences through internships, field trips, and guest speakers.
This session highlights how collaboration across Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs can expand access to industry-recognized safety certifications for students. Rather than limiting certifications to specific pathways (e.g., construction, manufacturing, health science), schools can leverage shared standards, overlapping content, and strategic scheduling to provide more students with valuable, transferable safety credentials. Participants will explore practical models for cross-program implementation, resource sharing, and aligning certifications with workforce readiness goals.
It Depends: Fostering clinical decision making in times of uncertainty
Susan McKee
Texas A&M University College of Nursing
Dr. Susan McKee is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Texas A&M College of Nursing. She has been a nurse 20 years and nurse educator for 16 years, teaching across the BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN-Education programs. She brings extensive experience in nursing practice, nursing education, student affairs, and health-careers recruitment. Dr. McKee is both a Certified Nurse Educator and a Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator. Her scholarly work focuses on nursing student stress, mental health, mindfulness, and innovative teaching strategies aimed at improving the student experience and fostering resilience. Her educational background includes undergraduate degrees in secondary education with emphasis in psychology and a BSN, and master’s degrees in educational psychology and an MSN in Nursing Education. She holds a DNP in Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Wendy Greenwood
Texas A&M University College of Nursing
Dr. Wendy Greenwood is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Texas A&M College of Nursing with 29 years of clinical experience and a strong record of excellence in teaching across the undergraduate and RN-to-BSN programs. Her research explores clinician self-efficacy, the experiences of clinicians and students and innovative teaching strategies. She has received multiple awards for nursing education for teaching and a nursing excellence award. Dr. Greenwood is a Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator and holds multiple specialty certifications. She is known for teaching excellence, the ability to engage students in a supportive learning environment and her clinical expertise across multiple nursing specialties
Alison Pittman
Texas A&M University College of Nursing
Dr. Alison Pittman has been a faculty member in the College of Nursing at Texas A&M University since 2011, specializing in pediatric and community health nursing and simulation-based education. Since joining Texas A&M, Dr. Pittman has become a recognized leader in her field, contributing significantly to research on the effectiveness of simulation in nursing education. Her other published work addresses topics such as simulation of end-of-life care of children, virtual reality simulation, and clinical competency. She received the Texas A&M Undergraduate Professorship for Undergraduate Teaching (UPUTE) in 2024. She played a crucial part in curriculum development and program accreditation, consistently ensuring high standards of nursing education. She is dedicated to mentoring students and faculty, fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment.
Chelsey Rosen
Texas A&M University College of Nursing
Dr. Chelsey Rosen is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Texas A&M College of Nursing where she has taught since 2017 across the BSN and MSN-Education programs. She is known for fostering meaningful, engaging learning experiences. Dr. Rosen is both a Certified Nurse Educator and a Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator. Her scholarship centers on clinical judgment and innovative pedagogy, earning her the DAISY Nurse Educator Award. She currently is an Innovative Teaching Fellow at Texas A&M University.
This session explores flipping a phrase that is dreaded by nursing students, "IT DEPENDS" into an innovative teaching strategy. The goal is to help pre-health profession students begin to develop clinical judgment and increased confidence in decision making when faced with uncertainty in clinical practice situations. Using the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, color-coded cards, and interactive activities, educators can foster confidence, critical thinking, and the decision-making skills that are essential for safe, holistic client care and will prepare them for the rigors of college courses.
The Texas Public Health Pipeline: Empowering Health Science Educators to Lead the Charge
Sara Mendez
Texas A&M School of Public Health
Dr. Sara Mendez is an instructor in the Department of Health Behavior at the Texas A&M School of Public Health with nearly two decades of experience in local public health. She also serves as the Assistant Director of Public Health Practice. Her expertise lies at the intersection of community capacity building, workforce development, and health assessment. Dr. Mendez holds a Doctor of Public Health, an MS in Health Education, and a BS in Health. She currently is focused on collaborative building in rural communities and preparing students for impactful careers in public health.
Carly Gafford
Texas A&M School of Public Health
Carly Gafford is the Program Coordinator for the Office of Public Health Practice at the Texas A&M School of Public Health, where she leads initiatives focused on student engagement, professional development, and experiential learning. A proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2016, Carly holds a Bachelor of Science in Health with an emphasis in Community Health. Prior to her current role, Carly worked in practice management and education, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to her work in academia.
This session empowers Texas Health Science educators to expand their professional impact and cultivate the state’s future public health workforce. We will examine the strategic advantages of a Master of Public Health (MPH) for teacher advancement and alignment with Texas school district leadership. Additionally, participants will learn to leverage Texas HOSA to champion high-demand public health careers. By providing Texas-specific resources and lesson activities, this session connects classroom learning to real-world public health practice, inspiring students to pursue essential roles that protect the health of all Texans.
HOSA UPDATE & MORE
Janet Villarreal
TEXAS HOSA
Registered Radiologic Technologist; cross-trained in Ultrasound and Nuclear Medicine Employed at Doctors Hospital (1981 to 1993) Health Science Instructor: United South High School and United North High School (1994-2006) Served on the Texas HOSA Board of Directors: Area 7 Representative (2004-2006)Employed as Texas HOSA Executive Director in 2006 with 11,000 members; in 2018-2019, Today Texas HOSA membership exceeded 40,000 members with more than 1000 chapters
Linda Stanhope
Texas HOSA
Linda Stanhope is a retired Medical Technologist and Health Science Instructor, where she taught for 24 years for the Amarillo Independent School District in Texas. Currently, she works with Texas HOSA (Future Health Professionals) on their competitive event team. Stanhope has spent many years mentoring new teachers and writing curriculum for Health Science. Throughout her career, she has earned major awards including the Health Science Lifetime Distinguished Teacher Award and Texas Health Occupations Teacher of the Year. Stanhope holds a Bachelor of Occupational Education degree from Wayland Baptist University.
Wanda Herfarth
Texas HOSA
Wanda Herfarth is a Registered Nurse and a retired Health Science Teacher who taught health science in Texas for 22 years in Pearland and Clear Creek ISD. She currently works as the THOA registrar and as the HOSA Competitive Events Supervisor.
Come and learn what is new with HOSA and Texas HOSA! Many changes that you will want to take note of. Don't miss this session.
2025 Summer Conference Agenda
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