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High school instructors and students tell Forest Lake board medical-careers classes, HOSA drive career readiness
Summary
Teachers and students from Forest Lake High School presented the district’s medical careers sequence and HOSA student organization, describing certification outcomes, concurrent-college credit and student experiences applying skills in real situations.
Instructors and students from Forest Lake Area High School described the district’s medical-careers pathway and the student Healthcare Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club during the school board meeting Jan. 8.
Teachers Jody Ryan (medical careers/CNA/pharmacology) and Tracy Johnson (EMR/EMT) told the board the program offers a sequence of courses starting in ninth grade and progressing to certification classes for CNA and EMT. Ryan said about 150 students typically take the introductory exploring medical careers course each year; medical terminology enrolls roughly 80; and EMT sections are capped around 24–25 students and are often full. She reported 17 students passed a CNA competency test last year and that in one recent year eight students passed the national EMT registry.
Student speakers described personal outcomes and real-world application. Seniors said the classes helped them choose majors, earn concurrent-college credits, and enter paid work in long-term care and emergency medical services while still in high school. One student described using training at work to recognize and respond to hypoglycemia in a resident; another recounted assisting at a choking incident. Students highlighted ride-along experiences with ambulance providers, junior- and senior-year certification opportunities, and service elements such as providing medical staffing at school events.
HOSA student leaders said the club has restarted this year with roughly 30 students active in group chats and about 60 names on an interest list. They described early service projects — holiday cards for nursing-home residents and plans for assembling donation kits and tie blankets — and explained that HOSA also provides competitive events that give students experience and recognition.
Board members praised the instructors’ work and noted the program’s potential to accelerate students into college and careers. The district noted that many of the medical classes offer concurrent-enrollment college credit and that the program has given students both certification opportunities and practical experience.
