The Leading Lady Behind The Perfect Place
A Western Pennsylvania Native
She says that, in western Pennsylvania, there is a wedding tradition where “you don’t ask how the wedding was, you ask how the cookies were!” In addition to baking three-tier wedding cakes, Rose says western Pennsylvania residents look forward to having cookie tables with take-home boxes, which she is always happy to contribute to.
A Remarkable Woman With An Impeccable Education
Within a year of graduating from nursing school, Rose was asked to fill in as a substitute teacher, and it was then that she uncovered her passion for teaching. Diving deeper into her love for the field of education, Rose went on to pursue her Bachelor’s and then Master’s degree in Nursing of Children from the University of Pittsburgh.
With a desire to improve the standards for teaching, Rose chose to continue her own education and received her Doctorate in Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, earning her the esteemed title of “Dr. Rose Saunders.”
During her residency, Rose took classes in Tucson, Arizona, and, after graduating with her doctoral degree, decided to make Arizona her home. She went on to work for Pima Medical Institute and became a founding dean of the Arizona College of Nursing. Rose was later offered a position with Grand Canyon University, where she became dean of the undergraduate nursing program.
How Her Sister Inspired Her Nursing Journey
Her First Introduction To Dementia Care
Rose’s Vision For The Perfect Place
“The members get joy from the programs; they really do. And their families get respite while they’re here. It makes a big difference. And the members’ families all have the opportunity to make friendships, too. So it’s really something!”
I want to get nursing students involved. I want to spread opportunities for education and invite more focus on dementia into nursing programs. I want to talk more about the aging process and geriatrics. I want other nurses and [health care professionals] to have a greater understanding about early detection so we have an opportunity to learn more about what we can do to improve outcomes early on.