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Why Choose OT?® Inspires Future Healthcare Leaders at the 2026 HOSA International Leadership Conference

Why Choose OT?®, NBCOT's national awareness campaign, recently joined more than 14,000 middle school, high school, and postsecondary students at the 2026 HOSA International Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, IN, introducing future healthcare professionals to occupational therapy and inspiring the next generation of practitioners.

As a Platinum Sponsor, Why Choose OT? engaged students through interactive experiences, educational sessions, competitive events, and meaningful conversations designed to increase awareness of occupational therapy and strengthen the future workforce. Every interaction reflected NBCOT's long-term commitment to building a strong, diverse workforce while ensuring future generations understand the essential role occupational therapy plays in improving health, independence, and quality of life.

Inspiring Future Practitioners

Throughout the conference, students visited the Why Choose OT? booth to learn about careers in occupational therapy, ask questions, and explore the many opportunities the profession offers. Two occupational therapy students from Indiana University also joined the Why Choose OT? team, sharing their personal experiences and connecting with students interested in healthcare careers.

The Why Choose OT? team also presented three educational sessions:

  • Real Life. Real Pressure. How Do You Handle It?
  • Real Cases. Real Decisions. What Would You Do?
  • Don't Pick Just One: A Healthcare Career That Lets You Change Paths
Two young women stand behind a table full of swag. The tablecloth is printed with Why Choose OT?
Indiana University OT students, Mary and Jenna

Creating Memorable Experiences

Students also experienced the collaborative impact of occupational and physical therapy through the GoBabyGo event, which was co-sponsored by Why Choose OT?, HOSA, and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Together, the organizations showcased how adaptive ride-on cars can increase mobility, participation, and independence for children while demonstrating the creativity and innovation of rehabilitation professionals.

Keynote speaker Chris Norton also shared the important role occupational therapy played in his recovery following a spinal cord injury, reinforcing the meaningful difference OT practitioners make in helping individuals regain independence and achieve their goals.

A young child sits in a toy car decorated with Bluey characters while two adults strap the child in.
GoBabyGo Event
A man in a wheelchair surrounded by six people, all smiling.
Keynote speaker Chris Norton with the Why Choose OT? team

Recognizing Future Leaders

The Occupational Therapy competitive event is one of HOSA's official competitive events, developed in partnership with NBCOT to introduce students to the profession while recognizing excellence in healthcare knowledge and critical thinking. Through real-world scenarios and profession-specific content, students demonstrated their understanding of occupational therapy and its role in helping people participate more fully in the activities and moments that matter most.

Congratulations to the Secondary Division finalists:

  • Elaine, Texas
  • Aliza, South Carolina
  • Debakshi, Michigan

Congratulations to the Post-Secondary Division finalist:

  • Alan, Utah

These students demonstrated outstanding knowledge, critical thinking, and enthusiasm for occupational therapy, representing the bright future of the profession.

NBCOT also proudly awarded scholarships to outstanding HOSA students pursuing careers in occupational therapy.

Congratulations to this year's scholarship recipients:

  • Christian, Kentucky
  • Elleanna, Virginia
  • Sofia, Florida
  • Aleah, Kentucky
  • Gabrielle, Kansas
Five people stand in front of a HOSA banner. Three of them wear a medal and hold an award plaque.
OT Competition Secondary Division finalists with NBCOT Board Chair Mary Smith (second from left) and NBCOT President/CEO Angela Macauley (second from right)
Three people stand in front of a HOSA banner. One of them wears a medal and holds an award plaque.
From left: NBCOT Board Chair Mary Smith, OT Competition Postsecondary Division finalist, and NBCOT President/CEO Angela Macauley
Five young women stand together, each holding a plaque.
OT scholarship recipients

“HOSA provides an incredible opportunity to connect with students as they begin exploring healthcare careers. Every conversation helps expand awareness of occupational therapy and its impact while inspiring future practitioners to consider a profession dedicated to helping people participate more fully in the activities and moments that matter most. By investing in these students today, we are helping strengthen the future workforce, broaden representation within the profession, and support access to high-quality occupational therapy services for the communities of tomorrow.”

Angela Macauley, PMP

President/CEO, NBCOT

Every student who discovers occupational therapy brings us one step closer to our vision of making occupational therapy a household name, ensuring more people understand the profession, choose it as a career, and benefit from its impact.

Highlights from the 2026 HOSA International Leadership Conference