By Logan Monteleone
News Editor
In addition to supporting the public health process that provides blood to patients in need, pre-health students at Washington College gained experience relevant to their career development by helping run the first blood drive of the semester last Thursday.
Referred to on campus by its acronym, Health Occupations Students of America, or HOSA, is a global club organization that encourages students to pursue health care careers.
Sophomore Sultan Darilmaz, HOSA’s president, and junior Helen Tsigehet, the WC chapter’s vice president, worked alongside fellow club leaders to organize the Sept. 18 drive.
Darilmaz is interested in entering a dental program after graduating WC while Tsigehet is on a pre-medical track. The two HOSA leaders are both biochemistry majors.
While only Red Cross professionals draw donors’ blood at campus drives, HOSA students participate by lending a hand at registration and giving stickers and snacks to donors, Tsigehet said.
Though walk-ins are typically encouraged at HOSA blood drives, only donors who registered ahead of time could be accommodated last Thursday in the Goosenest-turned-blood-lab.
Every bag counts, Darilmaz said, as there is always someone in need of blood and hospitals often struggle with shortages.
The importance of donating is personal for Darlimaz, whose grandfather has a heart condition.
“His life got saved through a blood transfusion,” Darilmaz said.
Blood drives can also benefit donors by showing them the profile of their blood and causing an “awakening” about their health, Tsigehet said. Donors have to be tested before giving blood and in the sample results donors may learn they have high blood pressure, low blood pressure, or anemia. Tsigehet said these discoveries that accompany the good deed of donating can encourage people to make lifestyle changes or to seek further medical care.
Along with “making a positive impact on community health,” Phil Ticknor, the Coordinator of Pre-Health Professions Programs at WC, said HOSA members benefit from blood drives by “observing and networking with on-site professionals.”
Ticknor said undergraduates have big decisions to make when it comes to committing to an educational journey toward a health profession. Experiential learning opportunities can help students solidify their interests, he said.
“Because the process of applying to, and completing, a master’s or doctorate program in the health professions is both time-consuming and expensive, each student must be sure that this is what they want to do and fully examine their motivations for pursuing this path,” Ticknor said.
When HOSA is not busy organizing a blood drive, Darilmaz and Tsigehet said the club collaborates with other groups ranging from the American Chemical Society for study hours and a professional physicians’ assistant for training in how to administer a physical exam. HOSA also will continue to host CPR certification courses and trainings in administering naloxone, a life-saving overdose treatment.
Ticknor and Director of Pre-Health Programs Dr. Elizabeth Yost advise the HOSA members in addition to hosting meetings with all pre-health students, Tsigehet said. Upperclassmen meetings focus on the graduate school application process and major exam preparations, Tsigehet explained, while underclassmen sessions focus on making sure students are aware of course requirements at WC.
The pre-health advisors organize alumni panels for students to learn about different career paths, Darilmaz said, and “help find alumni for us to shadow or research opportunities to go on.”
There are five different tracks in the Pre-Health Professions Program, according to the WC website. Students on health professions tracks still pursue a major at the College, though often one with certain course requirements pertaining to their track.
Ticknor said the club’s five leaders “make direct connections with healthcare professionals” and all members can find community with other pre-health students.
“HOSA members can prepare for entrance exams, such as the MCAT, together, review each others’ applications and personal statements, and simply share their experiences and insights with each other,” Ticknor said.
HOSA’s next blood drive is scheduled for Nov. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo Caption: Around 60 students and College community members donated blood on campus on Sept. 19.
Photo by Evie Brauner