HOSA Student wins First in State with Photograph of Scientists & Ghost Heart

Michael E. Debakey High School for Health Professions student, Reese Jacobs Neal, competed in the State Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Medical Photography Competition and placed 1^st place overall for his photo entry of THI scientist and bio-artificial “ghost heart” from the Regenerative Medicine Research Laboratory.

HOSA, an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions.

Reese now has the opportunity to gain hands on exposure to biomedical research at the University of North Texas through an Early Summer Research Program run by the Texas Academy of Math and Science (TAMS). At UNT, he will continue this research over the next 2 years while attending TAMS, which is an early entrance college program for high school kids who are interested in STEM.

“Being involved with organizations such as HOSA, as well as being exposed to the research process at medical institutions such as the Texas Heart Insitute, definitely played a major role in motivating me to begin taking steps towards becoming a medical researcher myself. Hopefully, one day I will be able to take part in research projects as revolutionary as those at the Texas Heart Institute. If I could give one piece of advice in order to motivate students it would be to spend time figuring out where their interests truly lie. Once you have found your passion, dive into it and search for opportunities to further your experience. The right club or volunteer program can change your life.” — Reese Neal

We are inspired by our future generation of health professionals and honored to partner with students like Reese and great teachers like Jeanette Neal, Senior Health Science Practicum II Clinical Coordinator/Instructor.