Interested in joining the next Officer Team?
The Georgia HOSA State Executive Council (SEC) provides statewide leadership and strategic direction for the organization. The SEC works to enhance the member experience, support chapter success, and advance Georgia HOSA's mission across the state. While all SEC members serve and advocate for Georgia HOSA members, each officer has a specialized scope in which they focus their efforts.
State Executive Council
Shivani Lal | President
Shivani Lal | President
Innovation Academy
Leads the State Executive Council, sets organizational priorities, and guides statewide initiatives.
Shivani Lal is deeply honored and humbled to serve as the 2026-2027 Georgia HOSA State President. A current freshman at the University of Georgia, Shivani is pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Public Health with a minor in Spanish on the pre-med track. Since joining HOSA as a freshman in high school, Shivani has developed a deep passion for healthcare, service, and most of all, the people. Through HOSA, she discovered the power of connecting with like-minded individuals who share a commitment to improving the health and well-being of their communities. These experiences have strengthened her goal of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon and advancing equitable healthcare for underserved populations. Beyond HOSA, Shivani has gained experience as a medical assistant, researcher, and volunteer. She is passionate about community engagement, advocacy, and creating opportunities that empower future healthcare professionals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, staying active, watching 49ers football, and coaching cheerleading and dance. Shivani is excited to serve Georgia HOSA members across the state and looks forward to a year filled with countless opportunities to inspire and impact every person she meets.
Hannah Humphries | President-Elect
Hannah Humphries | President-Elect
Newton College and Career Academy
president-elect@georgiahosa.org
Leads the State Executive Council, sets organizational priorities, and guides statewide initiatives.
Hannah Humphries is ecstatic to serve as your 2026-2027 Georgia HOSA State President-Elect. A senior at Newton College and Career Academy’s STEM Institute, Hannah joined HOSA not knowing that this organization would allow her to find her purpose. What began as just curiosity grew into a genuine passion for healthcare and leading others to success, while also allowing her to build lifelong friendships with students who care just as deeply about making a difference. That same drive led Hannah to realize her goal of becoming a neurosurgeon, and through her school’s Healthcare and Biotechnology pathway, she hopes to use innovation and critical thinking to advocate for and change the lives of patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Outside of HOSA, Hannah serves in her local hospital alongside healthcare professionals, is a dedicated ballet dancer at Covington Regional Ballet, and plays tennis at a competitive level. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, painting, crocheting, watching anime, and spending time with family and friends. Hannah looks forward to a year filled with meaningful connections and to serving as a representative for so many members, bringing opportunities to those who deserve them most.
Nikhil Fernandes | Vice President of Officer Relations
Nikhil Fernandes | Vice President of Officer Relations
Lambert High School
vp.officerrelations@georgiahosa.org
Oversees and supports the Region Representative team while serving as the liaison between Region Representatives and the SEC.
Nikhil Fernandes is ecstatic to serve as your 2026–2027 Georgia HOSA Vice President of Officer Relations. A senior at Lambert High School, Nikhil has been involved in HOSA since 6th grade, making this his seventh year in the organization. To him, HOSA is a tight-knit community that encourages and uplifts students as they pursue careers in healthcare, and it has played a major role in sparking his passion for orthopedic surgery.
Outside of HOSA, Nikhil is a varsity basketball athlete, public health intern, and a CTAE Ambassador for his county. He loves trying new foods, keeping up with the latest fashion trends, and spending time with his loved ones. Nikhil is eager to serve the members of Georgia HOSA and cannot wait for an incredible year ahead!
Shivam Patel | Vice President of Membership
Shivam Patel | Vice President of Membership
South Forsyth High School
Focuses on member engagement, recruitment, retention, and chapter development.
Shivam Patel is elated to serve as your 2026-2027 Georgia HOSA State Vice President of Membership. As a junior at South Forsyth High School, Shivam has been a devoted and driven HOSA member for the past four years, and aligns his visions with the pillars of HOSA: learn, lead, serve, and innovate. HOSA has played a profound role in cultivating his passion for cardiometabolic health and biomedical engineering, while simultaneously forming the bridge between academics and healthcare. Shivam seeks a future career centered on transforming medicine through biomedical innovation and stratified medicine. In his free time, he enjoys playing piano, saxophone, chess, and cricket. Additionally, he loves being with his family and friends, and outside of school you can always find him at the pickleball courts. He relishes exploring concepts in biology and anatomy, and regularly applies these concepts as a researcher, volunteer, and intern. Shivam is motivated to develop current initiatives and provide members with new opportunities in order to ensure that their HOSA journey continuously strengthens growth, impact, and prestige.
Rishita Kunam | Vice President of Innovation
Rishita Kunam | Vice President of Innovation
Denmark High School
Leads digital strategy, content development, and innovative initiatives that enhance member engagement and organizational impact.
Rishita Kunam is honored to serve as your 2026-2027 Georgia HOSA Vice President of Innovation. As a junior at Denmark High School, Rishita has been an active HOSA member for the past four years since middle school. Through HOSA, she has developed a passion for innovation, leadership, and creating meaningful impact within healthcare and her community. She values the opportunities HOSA provides to connect with driven students across the state while continuously growing as both a leader and future healthcare professional. Outside of HOSA, Rishita is involved in student research, leadership initiatives, and community outreach. She is also trained in Kuchipudi, an Indian classical dance form, and enjoys expressing creativity through both the arts and public speaking. Rishita looks forward to a year filled with collaboration, innovation, and inspiring Georgia HOSA members across the state!