This week we’re reintroducing you to our Nurse Practitioner, Aaron. If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing Aaron as a patient you already know he is intelligent, funny, and has a caring bedside manner. Here’s a chance to learn more as Dr Rosenberger interviews him for this blog post.
Dr Rosenberger asks…First question that patients often ask is how we are related. My least favorite guess is that I am your mother, UGH! Tell everyone how we are related.
Well, not your son for sure. I am the brother of Dr Rosenberger. Our parents have three children with Dr Rosenberger being the first born, me in the middle, and our sister, Carissa, being the youngest.
How many years have you been working at Appalachian Spring Dermatology?
Longer than I realized. I first started working at the office in the summer of 2011. I have continued to work on and off when I am back from serving overseas.
Why do you come to work here every summer?
During the time I have worked at Appalachian Spring Dermatology, I have served in Madagascar and Kenya. I have come back in the summers to the US for a variety of reasons including trainings, family time, and leadership obligations. Working at the office has also allowed me to keep my license active in the US so I can continue to practice and serve overseas.
I heard you are staying longer this time?
Yes, I will be back in the US at least until August 2025.
How did you traverse the path to becoming a Nurse Practitioner?
It was a long and circuitous road. I started my nursing education directly out of high school and obtained my associate degree in nursing. After traveling overseas, I recognized I would need more training to be better able to diagnose and treat. I began studying for my Bachelors Degree which led into a Masters Degree in Nursing. In 2010, I went back to school once again and graduated from WVU with my Doctor of Nursing Practice.
How many degrees do you have? I heard you have an MBA as well?
I love to learn and really enjoy formal education. Including the ones above, I also have a Bachelors in Bible and Missions and Master of Business Administration (MBA).
And you’re a missionary too? Tell our readers about your current mission work and a little about your past work.
We have served in Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Kenya. In Burkina Faso, we worked with those who have HIV/AIDS to help prevent the transmission from mother to child. In Madagascar, we were responsible for an orphanage, operated a mobile clinic, and taught in the bible school. Currently we serve as Area Directors for East Africa. We have the privilege to serve 17 countries and 14 teams with the goal of seeing a healthy church planted within walking distance of every African.
You have a family right? Is that hard with a family?
I am married and have two children, Isabelle (20) and Josiah (18) . Both of my kids have grown up in Africa and while there have been challenges, God has been gracious and faithful. My kids are able to fluently speak other languages and understand the realities of being the minority. They are flexible and can adapt to most situations. Having been the outsiders in many contexts, they are quick to embrace those in the US who feel like the outsiders. I think one of the biggest challenges is not us who lives overseas, but rather on our families who are in the US. The distance is hard on all involved and even with technology it is not the same as living in close proximity.
How many different countries have you traveled to?
Another great question, I would say 30+ is a conservative guess. I have definitely been to more countries in Africa than states in the United States.
What is the most amazing or interesting place you have traveled and why?
I think the most amazing places are influenced by the people you are with when you are there. One of the most fun things we did as a family was going through Hezekiah’s tunnel in Jerusalem. It was an amazing thing to traverse and a feat of engineering that is remarkable. A fun experience that our family will never forget.
I heard you wrote a book and have another on the way. Tell us a little about your books.
The basic human needs are to belong, matter and to be known/valued. I believe caring is a way to communicate these three needs.
I have written two books and have another one in the crockpot that are centered around caring.
The newest book is A Caring Family. This book proposes an intentional way of family life that centers around seven virtues that are essential for A Caring Family. Loyalty, Courage, Resiliency, Emotional Honesty, Spiritually Focused, Transformational Awareness, and Patience are the virtues that I wish I had more intentionally focused on while Heather and I were raising our kids. I would have valued someone sitting me down 20 years ago and having the discussion that I will share in this book. In a way, this is a book to my younger self, but unfortunately, I cannot relive or change the past. But the good thing is that you can benefit from the lessons I have learned the hard way.
The first book was A Caring Life. Most people know that caring for others is important. However, the demands and technological distractions of life so often keep that knowledge from translating into thoughtful action. In A Caring Life, I share an inspiring call to embrace the art of caring in everyday life. My adventure-filled stories combined with practical application ideas can be both inspiring and convicting. I bring a unique perspective on a practice we often take for granted, and many have shared that my depth of insight is challenging and refreshing. No matter what stage of life you’re in, this book will stretch you and equip you to care authentically, love unconditionally, and lead compassionately.
Aaron, we look forward to having you in the office over the next year!
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