Rose Roche, PhD, APRN

Volunteer Nurse

I was born in Havana, Cuba and came to the USA at the age of 4. I lived in Chicago for 11 years of my life. I then moved to Miami, FL and graduated from Coral Park Sr. High in 1980. All of my life I had wanted to become a nurse. I had several family members involved in the medical field. In 1980 I decided to explore nursing and enrolled in the LPN program at Mercy Hospital. I loved every aspect of nursing, helping others feel better and improving their quality of life. It was then that I decided that Nursing was for ME.
 

I went on to receive my BSN from FIU in 1985 and worked for Children's Medical Services as a Case Manager for chronically ill children. That is how I met Dr. Moises Simpser and was introduced to VACC Camp.
 

I became a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in 1993 and I have been working with Dr. Moises Simpser in the department of Pulmonology for 16 years. I am also an Adjunct Faculty at FIU in the Graduate Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program.
 

I am married to Alfredo, who works as a Coordinator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools transportation system. He has been an instrumental person in facilitating transportation for the campers during their week long camp field trips. I have 3 children, Mandy, Danny and Jovan. All of my children are involved in the medical field which has been influenced by their exposure to VACC Camp.
 

I have been a yearly medical volunteer at the VACC Camp in order to make the campers weekly experience a very fun and safe one. The smiles on their faces when they are able to experience in 1 week, what most of them could not otherwise experience in a lifetime, is what makes it all worth while.