A Legacy of Learning: Dr. Norman Rose Concludes 65 Years of Shaping Clinicians

Dr. Norman Rose D.O. FACOS, FICS, DFACOS announced recently that he was winding up his career in medical education, having logged "65 years of teaching over 25 thousand medical and PA students as well as 110 surgical residents."

Rose, 86, joined the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) program faculty at Pfeiffer University in 2023. At the time, he and his wife Dee Ann had recently moved to North Carolina from Florida, where Rose was working as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at Nova Southeastern University. Even though he has now officially retired from his faculty position, having completed his last Pfeiffer class in December, he will continue to be a guest faculty member for MS-PAS program simulation events.

Rose has taught medical physiology and the pathophysiology of disease series at Pfeiffer, along with enriching student learning by connecting theory to practice in the Bramlett-Starnes Center for Advanced Clinical Simulation Education at the University's Center for Health Sciences. His teaching career began during his second year at the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, now called Des Moines (IA) University, from which he graduated in 1963. He became a lab assistant in the College's pathology department, a role that included some teaching, which he instantly came to enjoy.

Rose would develop many interests over the course of his career. As wide-ranging as they come, his pursuits included pioneering work for osteopathic medicine, described as "a whole-person approach to hands-on care"; working in surgical practice; serving both as a Medical Director and as a PA Program Director/Founder (Miami Dade College); and training both osteopathic surgeons and physician assistants.

All this and more amounted to a formidable resume - a fact not lost on Dr. Scott Fisher, an Associate Professor in Pfeiffer's MS-PAS program who also serves as its Program Director. "I'm very glad Dr. Rose joined and served as a member of our team," he said.

"We are deeply grateful that Dr. Rose chose the Pfeiffer University PA Program as the place to conclude his distinguished career as a full-time educator," Fisher said. "He generously shared his lifelong knowledge and experience with faculty, staff, and students. His impact on our program and our students will be felt for many years to come."

Fisher added that Rose teaches with "clarity, passion, and depth" and that his work in the Bramlett-Starnes Center drew on his "immense clinical background."

Two students of Rose's at Pfeiffer echoed these sentiments. Mackenzie Webster '27 of Misenheimer, N.C. called Rose's experience "one of his most valuable assets as a teacher." She added that Rose "shared real-world experience through decades of evolution of medical standards in general surgery and medicine as he applied them to his own practice."

Danielle "Dani" Dease '27 of Rock Hill, S.C. said that Rose made class "fun and exciting."

"He brought decades of real-world experience to each class," she said. "He was a fair teacher who genuinely wanted his students to learn and understand. He always found a way to allow each student to learn each topic. Dr. Rose loved what he did, and it showed."

The way that Rose acts outside the classroom at Pfeiffer would set an example that his students will always follow. Webster experienced that first-hand when she returned to class grieving her grandfather's death.

"Dr. Rose met me outside and gave me a hug and told me he was sorry and that difficult things happen, especially in medicine, but that I would be okay," Webster recalled. "Not only will I take his example of compassion with me into clinical practice and apply that to patients and colleagues, but I'll remember that even when the job gets hard, I'll be okay."

As Rose enters the next chapter of his life, he'll take fond memories of his time at Pfeiffer with him. He praised the supporters of the MS-PAS program, saying they "love the program and are 100 percent behind it." And he expressed admiration for the Pfeiffer instructors and students with whom he worked: "They have the nicest, most compassionate people. I can see God in them."

"I have been blessed to have a wonderful career of teaching and service to my profession," Rose wrote on LinkedIn in his retirement announcement.

Pfeiffer University has been deeply blessed to be among the institutions where he mentored students and strengthened the academic community.