HOSA Future Health Professionals (HOSA) member and recent Green Country Technology Center (GCTC) graduate Cheyanne Holman of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was awarded a $1,000 student scholarship from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) at the 2024 HOSA International Leadership Conference, held June 26 to 29 in Houston, Texas.
After years of battling a diagnosed learning disability, Holman shared her lifelong passion for healthcare, her success in school, and how her family, friends, instructors and NHA are helping her reach her dreams of becoming a certified phlebotomy technician (CPT).
Explore, Learn, Grow…
Holman knew as a child that she wanted to work in healthcare. She wasn’t certain how or in what area, but she did not let that slow her down throughout her formative years.
“I’ve always been told to take a chance if you’re given one,” Holman said. “This mindset has opened doors for me because it pushes me to try new things, pick up knowledge from others and grow.”
It’s been that commitment to continual improvement — as well as a desire to help others — that has led Holman to where she is today.
“At first, I wasn’t sure what specialty I was interested in, but I always knew that once I got there, I’d figure it out,” she said. “I’ve had this ambition of helping others since I was a little girl.”
After completing GCTC’s certified nursing assistant and medical assistant programs, Holman was inducted into the National Honor Society in recognition of her outstanding grades and attendance record. On top of that, she was getting closer to discovering her passion for becoming a Certified Phlebotomy Technician.
“I felt joy and excitement when I performed my first stick, and every time, I learned something new about phlebotomy,” Holman said. “I realized that is what I truly want to do.”
Crafting the Recipe for Success: Support, Tools and Hard Work
GCTC Medical Assistant Instructor Jennifer Foster says it’s been a privilege to watch Holman, who was diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD), come into her own. SLD describes a variety of learning issues that can affect a person's ability to understand or use language.
“It’s amazing to see how Cheyanne has changed since the first day of class. She pushed past her comfort zone and is now this gregarious, intelligent, smiling young lady,” Foster said. “She puts in a lot of effort to complete tasks and master skills because she enjoys learning and refuses to allow her learning disability to get in her way.”
Holman acknowledges that SLD has not made things easy, but she decided long ago that it wasn’t going to stop her.
“It’s been difficult for as long as I can remember. People viewed me as less than and never gave me the same opportunities. It made me feel small, like I could never become someone, but I knew that wasn’t who I wanted to be,” she said. “I had to work 10 times harder than others, but in the end, I found a way to succeed.”
In addition to her strong work ethic, Holman credits her success to Foster, her other instructors, family and friends. Holman insists that without their encouragement and belief in her abilities, she never would have made it this far. With a devoted team of supporters behind her, Holman discovered additional help along the way, like NHA’s learning resources.
“All the NHA tools made me into a better student and helped me prepare for my exams and understand my tasks better,” she said. “They’re very useful for anyone who is taking the next step in their healthcare career.”
Foster echoed that sentiment.
“I love the prep material that NHA offers and find it to be extremely beneficial to the students,” she said. “I use it almost daily in my curriculum because it helps my students really think about what we went over and how it can apply in the real world.”
As NHA’s CTE Director of Sales, Laura Flynn has worked with instructors like Foster for almost 10 years. She and her team support both learners and professionals every step of the way by connecting allied healthcare instructors to exam preparation and learning resources that can make a difference in both secondary and post-secondary education.
“We are proud to partner with HOSA to support students like Cheyanne through our scholarship donation,” Flynn said. “It is so exciting to see the future taking shape right in front of us. And it is rewarding to know NHA is empowering future allied healthcare professionals through its credentials and learning resources.”
Putting Belief into Action
Having just graduated from GCTC, Holman plans to take NHA's phlebotomy certification exam next. She’s eager to make a difference in patients’ lives as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician.
“Each day, I realize that there are people who need assistance but don’t know how to get it,” she said. “That’s why I’m passionate about working in healthcare — because I know that as I go about my normal day, without even realizing it, I could change someone’s life for the better.”
Although Holman has always cared deeply about the well-being of others, she believes her involvement with HOSA helped reinforce that sentiment — and gave her the opportunity to put her values into action.
“Not only did HOSA allow me to explore many prospects in health care, but it also helped me improve and expand my ability to serve others,” she said. “It gave me life skills like leadership, sympathy, empathy and confidence.
“HOSA has shown me,” she continued, “that kindness can go a long way. I will surely use everything I’ve learned when I’m an allied health professional. HOSA has had a tremendous impact on me.”
A compassionate and thoughtful leader in the making, Holman’s community involvement expands well beyond HOSA. Among other things, she served as vice president and president of her Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter. She also participated in blood drives, volunteered for the Salvation Army, and helped organize the FCCLA Fosters the Warmth drive.
Today, she’s ready to leverage her wealth of experience and skills in her next chapter. When she does, Foster anticipates great things — both for Holman and those she touches.
“She’s one of those students who will always hold a special place in my heart. On the day of her graduation,” Foster said, “Cheyanne gave a speech. She advocated for stepping out into the world, being authentic, and pursuing your dreams without fear. She’s going to soar in the healthcare world.
“If we all could have just a piece of Cheyanne’s love for others, drive and dedication, this world would be a much better place,” Foster continued, “I can’t wait to see what she does because I know it’s going to be phenomenal.”
Once she passes the exam and becomes a member of the NHA-certified family, Holman said her eyes are set squarely on the road ahead.
“Receiving this award makes me proud and gives me confidence for the future,” Holman said. “It helps me reach the next step to becoming the person I want to be.”
A Commitment to Excellence
Holman was recognized as the scholarship recipient at a special HOSA Scholarship Dinner on June 26. The goal of the HOSA scholarship program is to encourage individuals like Holman to attain high scholastic achievement, develop exceptional leadership skills, and commit to careers in a health career pathway.
This year, NHA was one of 35 sponsors that contributed to HOSA’s International Scholarship program, which awarded $122,500 to 103 members for their outstanding academic achievements.
Another $3,249,100 was awarded in-state scholarships, while the U.S. Army ROTC offered an additional 56 scholarships totaling $7.9 million. In all, 159 state and international grants totaling $11,271,600 were awarded in a year when competition was fierce, as more than 3,500 members applied.
This is NHA's sixth year of providing a $1000 scholarship to a deserving HOSA student. Congratulations to all the winners!
Pictured above: NHA Senior Marketing Manager Laura Williams (left) and NHA Account Executive Ashley Guy (right) present Cheyanne Holman (center) with a $1000 scholarship at last June's International HOSA Conference in Dallas, Texas.
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