My EMS; Past, Present, and future

Since HOSA ILC 2023, I've had a little bragging right: every ACC student to place in the Top 10 at ILC came from our HC-EMS program.

After this year, that streak comes to an end—and honestly, after spending a few days at ILC with Alexis, I can't think of a better person to break it.

Congratulations to Alexis on placing Top 10 in Medical Spelling. What an incredible accomplishment on the international stage.

Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to be at ILC supporting and cheering on Top 10 finishes from Adam and Brandon, Ava and Danica—and now we add Alexis to that list. She earned it.

Most importantly, I'm proud of every ACC student who made the trip to ILC. Competing at this level takes dedication, courage, and professionalism. You don't need a medal or a trophy to be a winner—just earning the opportunity to represent your school, state, and program on this stage is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

And as for Alexis, well deserved.

Another great day at HOSA ILC!

Our students spent the day attending sessions, networking with healthcare professionals, and connecting with fellow HOSA members from around the world.

One thing that's impossible to miss at ILC is pin trading. At this point, I'm pretty sure some of our students are more focused on finding their next trade than finding their next meal. Whether it's in a hallway, waiting for a session to start, or walking between events, they're constantly meeting new people and adding to their collections.

More conference updates—and competition results—coming soon!

Not every SkillsUSA Nationals memory happened on the competition floor.

During some downtime between events, ACC students visited the Georgia Aquarium and got a chance to explore Atlanta, recharge, and enjoy the experience.

Even the fish were acting like EMS on scene. Calm, collected, and pretending they didn't just see everything.

📣 There are STILL JUDGING opportunities for the 2026 HOSA International Leadership Conference! With 15,000 attendees and over 100 events, your role as a judge is crucial in shaping future health professionals. Whether you’re a new or returning judge, we’d love to have you join us!

June 17-20, 2026 | 📍 Indianapolis, IN
📧 Email [email protected] for more information

Quick update to the last post…

We originally shared that Abby didn’t make the top 3 and we meant it when we said we were proud no matter what. That hasn’t changed.

But we just got the final breakdown and she finished 4th out of 37 with an 89.47% and earned a certificate of successful completion.

So yes, not top 3, but literally 4th in the nation in her first run at this level. That is a pretty strong way to “not place.”

Still proud. Still impressed. Still exactly the kind of performance that belongs on that stage.

Let’s congratulate her on an outstanding national performance.

No medal, but still one heck of a national competition.

This was our program's first time competing in this event and our first time bringing a student to SkillsUSA Nationals, and Abby showed she belonged.

She didn't finish in the top three, but she stepped onto a national stage, competed against some of the best from across the country, and represented ACC HC-EMS and SkillsUSA Indiana with confidence, professionalism, and class.

You don't have to leave Nationals with a medal to make a statement.

Abby, hold your head high. Not everyone gets the opportunity to compete on a national stage, and even fewer prove they belong there. I couldn't be more proud of you.

Abby has already made new friends from across the country. Unfortunately for them, they're also the competition.

Quiet confidence. No need for bravado.

The studying is done. The preparation is done. She's earned her place here and is ready to see how she stacks up against some of the best from across the nation. No matter where she finishes, she's already proven she belongs in the room.

Good luck, Abby. We're proud of you. Go show them what ACC HC-EMS is all about.

They gave him a 3% chance. He rewrote the story. 🚶‍♂️💥

We are beyond honored to announce that Chris Norton will be our keynote speaker for the 2026 International Leadership Conference! In 2010, a spinal cord injury changed Chris’s life forever, but instead of letting disruption define him, he used it to fuel a global movement. From walking across his graduation stage to inspiring over 400 million people worldwide, Chris’s journey is the ultimate masterclass in resilience.

As we celebrate 50 years of HOSA, Chris will challenge us to reframe our greatest challenges into competitive advantages, foster radical responsibility, and grow . Don’t just endure disruption—learn how to turn it into your greatest opportunity for growth.

We can't wait to see you there! 🎓✨