HOSA students from Bob Jones teamed with AEgis employees for the Heart Walk at Bridge Street Town Centre. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) at Bob Jones teamed up with AEgis Technologies to help the American Heart Association.

The Madison teenagers and professionals gathered as a team for the Heart Walk at Bridge Street Town Centre on March 16. AEgis provided breakfast and T-shirts for the AEgis/HOSA team.

About 50 HOSA students walked. Sponsor Melinda Lawson said the turnout was “remarkable to have this many students report to an event at 8 a.m. on a Saturday without being required.”

“I am so proud of these students. They are amazing. One day, they will do great and wonderful things in healthcare,” Lawson said. HOSA students raised $265 to chip in with Aegis’ collections. A registered nurse, Lawson chairs the Bob Jones Medical Academy and teaches in the Project Lead the Way biomedical program.

The partnership began last fall at Milton Frank Stadium when AEgis sponsored a track-and-field meet for Special Olympics, a favorite service project for HOSA. In addition, the mother of a biomedical student and HOSA officer works at AEgis. “A natural partnership emerged,” Lawson said.

These projects are fitting for HOSA, an organization focused on healthcare. “It’s important for students to become active in events that promote heart health and research for improved treatment,” Lawson said. HOSA students have an interest in healthcare careers and “take courses (to) learn about healthy lifestyles and heart disease.”

Biomedical students not only look at causes and diagnoses of heart disease but also could develop a biomedical innovation to treat heart disease, she said.

Currently, HOSA students are trying to earn money to attend the National HOSA competition in Nashville this summer. “The cost is pretty impressive,” Lawson said. “Registration is $90/student, lodging is approximately $200/student and they’ll need money for food.”

Bob Jones HOSA will accept donations to fund their trip to nationals. Call 256-772-2547.

To donate to the American Heart Association, visit heart.org/HEARTORG/Giving.