Becoming a Bull Moose

Excellent leadership is not defined by a title, but rather by how individuals respond when faced with opposition or adversity. One figure who exemplifies this was the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was a natural-born leader, known for his steadfast actions and conviction in his ideas despite the resistance he received. For example, during the rampant corruption of the Gilded Age, his Square Deal program pushed for fairness in America through trust busting, safeguarding natural resources, and protecting consumers. This program faced opposition from his own political party, yet he never backed down and continued to march forward with his agenda, demonstrating the limitless courage found in his leadership to the nation. Even more, there are two defining moments of exceptional leadership in his lifetime: challenging the crooked systems in New York and continuing to deliver a speech after being shot. Overall, Roosevelt’s leadership displays immense bravery and resilience, qualities that are essential for HOSA members as future healthcare leaders.

Roosevelt’s earliest demonstrations of courageous leadership occurred long before his presidency during his time as New York City Police Commissioner and later as the Governor of New York. At the time, corruption and monopolistic power ruled over politics and business, with powerful corporations exerting significant influence over public officials. However, rather than conforming to the status quo, as Police Commissioner, Roosevelt replaced the patronage system with merit and the civil service system. He hounded derelict and corrupt officers, frequently replacing them with individuals who had no ties to any political machine, earning him a reputation as a reformer that would stick with him for the remainder of his political career. When he later became governor, he continued to combat corruption, despite opposition from members of his own political party, such as Tom Platt, the boss of the New York Republican Party. During his time as governor, Roosevelt made it clear that Platt could not control him and his policies, distancing himself from the political machine to become a governor for everyone in New York. In line with this, he improved the civil service system, raised teacher salaries, set wage and hour standards, and placed a franchise tax on corporations that controlled public utilities. 

Roosevelt’s policies served the public good of New York immensely, yet angered Republican political bosses like Platt, as he was ruining their powerful and lucrative political machine. As a result, they in fact ended up positioning Roosevelt to receive the Vice President nomination to “shut him up” and prevent him from a second term as governor, which backfired when President Mckinely was assassinated, requiring Roosevelt to become the new President of the United States. Overall, Roosevelt’s time in office in New York demonstrates that leadership is not about appeasing others in power, but rather serving your community and utilizing moral courage to stand up for what is right in the face of opposition. This lesson is pivotal for student leaders who are still navigating how to find their voice and stand with firm conviction in their opinions and beliefs. As young, upcoming leaders, it can be easy to cower in the face of opposition; however, Roosevelt teaches us that meaningful change begins when we employ brave leadership to challenge flawed systems, even when doing so is uncomfortable.

Later, Roosevelt ran a second campaign for the presidency in 1912 under his new “Progressive Party” party since he had lost the Republican nomination. Despite losing the nomination, he declared, “I’m as fit as a bull moose”, with the bull moose becoming a symbol of both Roosevelt and his party, which thus became more popularly known as the “Bull Moose Party”. It was during this second campaign that Roosevelt exemplified unbelievably resilient leadership. Just before Roosevelt was set to deliver a campaign speech in Milwaukee, he was shot in the chest. Yet, despite the bullet lodged in his chest, he declined suggestions to go to the hospital immediately, knowing that the bullet had not punctured his lung since he was not coughing up blood. Instead, he made the remarkable decision to deliver the speech as scheduled with his opening remarks, “I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot - but it takes more than that to kill a bull moose.” Ultimately, he spoke for an hour and 20 minutes, his face white as a ghost by the end, but he had fulfilled his promise and demonstrated fortitude in the face of an immense roadblock that had hoped to silence him for good.

This extraordinary moment of resolution illustrates how leadership demands perseverance under pressure; rather than backing away at the first sign of difficulty and abandoning duties, it is imperative to adapt and drive forward. As young leaders in HOSA who are constantly juggling academics, competitions, and service to the community, these responsibilities can feel overwhelming, especially when setbacks occur. However, whether it is facing burnout, losing an event, or a logistical issue with a project, Roosevelt’s determined response reminds us to be persistent throughout our challenges in order to guide us to success in leading our communities. 

Ultimately, Theodore Roosevelt’s leadership serves as an excellent example that courage and resilience are timeless qualities to ascertain as future health professional leaders. Healthcare professionals must often advocate for patients within complex systems, challenge unethical practices, and make difficult decisions under pressure. Roosevelt’s steadfast willingness to confront corruption mirrors the responsibility of leaders in healthcare to speak up for patient safety and fairness, even when it requires challenging established systems or opposition. Likewise, his formidable strength in the face of a devastating physical injury reflects the endurance necessitated by healthcare, with high stress and long hours calling for leaders who can persevere for their patients. Through embracing the lessons of Teddy Roosevelt, Indiana HOSA leaders can leave an indelible impact on the world around them, both in HOSA and in their future healthcare careers. As you move forward in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional, channel your own inner bull moose!

Hayden Turner

Historian

2026