Excellence in Community Volunteerism

Award Winner

Dr. Rosa Roche is a three-time NWCNHS alumna (BSN 1986, MSN 1994, and PhD 2014). She is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and the Pediatric Program Leader in the NWCNHS Graduate Nursing Department. As her nominator states, "Dr. Roche's tireless work as a community volunteer has led to increased healthcare services for people and places that may otherwise have limited opportunities."

For 30 years Dr. Roche has volunteered to assist disadvantaged children participating in the Ventilated Assisted Children’s Camp (VACC); she has also served on the Advisory Board. The weeklong VACC camp enables children on ventilators and their families to participate in fun activities, such as the beach and swimming pool, activities that normally would be precluded without the assistance of volunteer medical professionals.

As a volunteer and member of the Advisory Board of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of South Florida, Dr. Roche organized the first Virtual Cystic Fibrosis Education Day for families, patients, and care centers for the State of Florida. In addition, she serves as the Clinical Director of the Special Olympics Medfast program, spending countless hours providing free sports physicals for athletes with special needs.

Dr. Roche has received numerous awards for her service including FNA’s Innovation and Creativity Icon Award (2021), FNA’s Community Icon Award (2020), and the FIU Excellence in Service Award (2019). FIU has honored her as one of its “Top 25 Alumni”. As her nominator states, “Dr Roche’s spirit of community service and her legacy of kindness will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on those she has touched.”