The River Earns 7 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals — Advancing to International Competition in Indianapolis
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 23, 2026) — Four Indian River State College students traveled to Orlando this April and came home champions.
The Indian River State College (The River) HOSA chapter competed at the 2026 Florida HOSA State Leadership Conference (SLC), held April 16–19 at the Marriott World Center in Orlando. The event was the largest in Florida HOSA history, drawing more than 4,000 future healthcare professionals across 60 competitive events. HOSA is a global, student-led organization dedicated to preparing students for careers in the health industry.
More than 12 postsecondary institutions sent teams. Indian River State College stood out from them all. Combined, the four Indian River State College competitors earned 7 gold medals, 2 silver medals, 1 pin, and 1 certificate.
WHAT MAKES THIS RESULT EXCEPTIONAL
Most HOSA students enter one main event and one optional event. The River’s competitors chose to enter multiple events — and excelled.
“These students exemplify the spirit of excellence that defines Indian River State College,” said Dr. Timothy E. Moore, President of Indian River State College. “To compete — and win — at this level, on the state’s largest stage, reflects not just the talent and determination of these four individuals, but the strength of our academic community and our commitment to producing tomorrow’s healthcare leaders. We are immensely proud of every one of them.”
AWARD RECIPIENTS
- Bryn Calderon duPlooy (Dual-Enrolled, Stuart) — Gold, Home Health Aide; Gold, HOSA Happenings Chapter Newsletter
- Petricia Lopilato (B.S. Biology, Jensen Beach) — Silver, Biotechnology; Gold Recognition, Healthcare Issues Exam; Gold Recognition, HOSA History Exam
- Katie Perez (A.A. Biology Pre-Professional, Freshman, Indiantown) — Gold Recognition, Healthcare Issues Exam; Gold Recognition, HOSA History Exam; competed in Phlebotomy
- Sara Anderson (Transient Student, Stuart) — Silver, Courtesy Corps; Gold Recognition, HOSA History Exam; FL HOSA State Officer Candidate 2026–2027
“What makes this achievement so remarkable is not just the awards — it’s the character of these students,” said Provost Heather Belmont. “They chose to compete in multiple events when one would have been enough. That kind of ambition and intellectual curiosity is exactly what our programs are designed to cultivate. Indian River State College is proud to send these young leaders to the international stage in Indianapolis.”
NEXT STOP: INDIANAPOLIS
As Florida State representatives, all award recipients now qualify for the HOSA International Leadership Conference, June 16-21, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. There, they will compete against future health professionals from across the country and around the world.
Faculty Chapter Advisor Emlyn Anderson has guided this chapter for eight years. As an Assistant Professor II and Healthcare Management Program Director at Indian River State College, she has built a program where high expectations are the standard.
“I have had the privilege of watching these students grow from curious learners into confident, driven future health professionals,” said Anderson. “Each of them chose to enter far more events than required, and they excelled in every one. This is what happens when passion meets preparation. I couldn’t be more proud.”
ABOUT INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE HOSA
The Indian River State College HOSA chapter prepares future health professionals through competitive events and leadership development. Students build skills at the local, state, and international levels. HOSA — Future Health Professionals is a global student organization with more than 300,000 members worldwide. The U.S. Department of Education endorses it.
Interested in studying health sciences at Indian River State College? Visit https://irsc.edu/search-programs/?query-78-study_area=healthsciences to learn more.
