Nikki Bentley- Executive director

Mrs. Bentley joined HOSA in 2013 when she became a teacher & HOSA advisor for her alma mater Cass High School, in White, Georgia. She transitioned to the classroom after 17 years in the healthcare field as a Registered Nurse, specializing in Labor & Delivery and Mother-Baby care.

Mrs. Bentley’s education includes an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Georgia Highlands College, in Rome Georgia. She later returned to college and received her Master’s Degree in Nursing with a focus on Leadership & Management from Walden University.

In 2018, Mrs. Bentley became the Region 1 representative for Georgia HOSA’s Board of Directors, acting as the Secretary. She has enjoyed participating in Georgia HOSA activities at every level and looks forward to a bright future with Georgia HOSA.

Mrs. Bentley loves all things family! She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Shannon, for 32 years & they have 3 children, Abby (28), Grace (25), & MaryPaige (19). In her free time she loves spending time with her family, including her granddog Remington, serving with her church small group, thrifting & reading.

Nate Thomas- State Officer coach

Nate Thomas is no stranger to the world of HOSA. His HOSA journey dates back to 2009 in a small town known as Locust Grove, GA. 13 years later and his fire for HOSA still burns bright. From serving as a chapter officer, to becoming a state officer, and even volunteering as a post secondary student, HOSA was and continues to be a large part of his life. 

Nate holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from the University of West Georgia. He later went on to earn an Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy from Southern Crescent Technical College. Nate currently works as a NICU Respiratory Therapist in the metro Atlanta area. 

In his spare time, Nate is usually somewhere behind a camera taking photos. His interests include landscape and lifestyle photography with a concentration in street photography. He also is somewhat of a fashion enthusiast, so I’m sure you can find him somewhere near your favorite mall or shopping center. 

Katie Ledford- Competitve Events Coordinator/ content strategist

Some of Katie’s most memorable (and favorite) high school memories were competing at HOSA events and participating in the organization at her school!

Katie graduated from Cedartown High School in 2016, and continued her education at the University of West Georgia where she obtained a B.S. in Health and Community Wellness with a minor in Psychology. Katie is also a certified personal trainer.

Katie loves to spend time with her family! She got married in 2020 and welcomed a beautiful baby girl to the world in April 2023. Katie is also a dog mom and has 2 black labs!

Cameron Carter- Membership Development Coordinator

Cameron is a junior ('27c) at Berry College pursuing a degree in Biomedical Biology. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with his Bassett Hound (Faye).

Cameron’s HOSA journey began in high school, where he served as a competitor, a local officer, and later as State President-Elect (Team 22) and State President (Team 23). During his freshman year of college, he served as HOSA’s International Secondary Board Representative and as Georgia HOSA’s Judge Coordinator. After completing his term, he transitioned into his current role, where his goal is to strengthen Alumni and Post-Secondary/Collegiate engagement.

Beyond competitions and conferences, Cameron is deeply passionate about healthcare education advocacy. He has worked alongside the U.S. Department of Public Health, including collaboration with the Surgeon General’s office, and has engaged with national & state legislators to advocate for expanded healthcare education opportunities and student leadership development across Georgia. He believes student organizations like HOSA play a critical role in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“Georgia HOSA is my home.” HOSA has played a significant role in Cameron’s journey, providing resources and a sense of community that was rare to find in a small town. He hopes his experience serves as an example that anyone, from anywhere, can achieve whatever they set their mind to.

Karen price- Judge Coordinator

With more than 25 years of experience as an executive secretary in the corporate world, Karen Price built a career grounded in organization, professionalism, and strong relationship-building. Over the past two decades, she has dedicated her time and expertise to serving as a local, regional, and state judge for numerous student and professional organizations across Georgia.

Karen currently focuses on judge recruitment, where she enjoys connecting skilled professionals with meaningful opportunities to mentor and support students. She is especially passionate about Georgia HOSA, valuing its commitment to leadership development, career readiness, and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. She finds great fulfillment in helping create positive, encouraging evaluation experiences that build students’ confidence and future success.

Known for her warmth, reliability, and genuine enthusiasm for service, Karen takes pride in contributing to programs that invest in young leaders and strengthen communities across the state.

Murari Kothagundla- Team Consultant

Murari Kothagundla, a freshman at the Georgia Institute of Technology, proudly celebrates his fifth year in Georgia HOSA. Formerly serving as the State Innovative Consultant, Murari is back to lead Georgia HOSA toward its greatest achievements yet. You may recognize him from the Georgia HOSA Instagram’s SLC Member Takeover or as MurariFerrari online. From the moment he joined South Forsyth High School HOSA, Murari wasn’t just involved—he was all in.

From meaningful community service to thrilling victories on state and international stages, his impact is undeniable. Murari aspires to one day serve as a trauma surgeon in the Emergency Department, leading at the frontline of medicine. Until then, he’s building that future—one conference, one connection, one challenge at a time.

Outside of HOSA, Murari’s hobbies include capturing photos and videos on his camera, playing the guitar, and connecting with others. According to Murari, HOSA is more than a school club or organization. HOSA is a family that unites everyone passionate about making a real impact in healthcare. This year, he’s not just participating… he’s inspiring everyone across all generations to become healthcare heroes. Get hyped for another fantabulous HOSA year!