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An Appeal from Rebecca's Family
Dr. Rebecca Rogers, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, was a long-time faculty member of Samuel Merritt University who passed away July 18, 2022 at the age of 59.
Rebecca was diagnosed with stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer upon her arrival to the hospital due to dyspnea (shortness of breath). Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare, affecting only 1-5% of all patients diagnosed with breast cancer. IBC typically has metastasized by the time of diagnosis due to the aggressive nature of this type of breast cancer, making it difficult to treat and contributing to a worse prognosis compared to other types of diagnosed breast cancers (American Cancer Society, March, 2022). Please help us education others about this type of breast cancer to ensure those affected can gain education in the danger of how quickly IBC advances, taking the lives of so many amazing individuals like Rebecca.
Our goal is to raise $25,000 to ensure the Rebecca Rogers Memorial DNP Scholarship is endowed and her legacy in education, teaching, and impacting on the field of nursing lives on helping to create leaders of the future. We want her legacy to continue to touch lives and inspire the nurses of tomorrow for years to come. We thank you for your support, from our hearts to yours.
Inflammatory breast cancer: Details, diagnosis, and signs. American Cancer Society.
"First your body whispers, then it screams. Listen." - Rebecca Rogers
A California native, Rebecca joined the University in 2014. At the time of her passing, Rebecca was serving as the director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and was teaching an Advanced Nursing Practice residency course. She served as the President of Faculty Org for the 2021-22 academic year.
“Rebecca was an accomplished academic, clinician, and nurse leader. Rebecca was extremely proud of her First/Indigenous American heritage; but most important to Rebecca were her family and community. Rebecca was a loving mom to daughters Alexandria and Melissa, and son Anthony. Phenomenally engaged grandmother to four adorable grandchildren and partner Manny. She loved her friends deeply. She profoundly influenced those she encountered. We are forever changed because of knowing her. We loved you to the moon and beyond. We will miss you; but never forget you, our amazing Becky….”
- Lorna Kendrick, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
Dean, College of Nursing
"I had the good fortune to work with Rebecca directly while she served as the Faculty Organization chair. We met regularly to discuss all kinds of issues of the University. She seldom complained about things, but was always ready with ideas to move the University forward. I was always looking forward to our meetings. Rebecca’s love of Samuel Merritt University was infectious. Her dedication to the success of the DNP program was unqualified. Her enthusiasm of the growth of the nursing program had no bounds. Above all, she had an optimistic spirit that was uplifting. What a true leader she was for the faculty and the University. She will be sorely missed."
- Ching-Hua Wang, MD., PhD.
President, Samuel Merritt University
In her faculty bio, Rebecca expressed her passion for educating new nurses to the profession. She wrote: “I have been a Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse my entire career. To encourage new nurse practitioners to join our profession, and to meet the needs of the underserved communities in our area is an honor. As we face challenges of diversity, understanding of health disparities and culture, the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (FNP) is needed now more than ever. I am honored to facilitate the learning of our future nurse leaders.”
Rebecca earned her doctorate of nursing from Samuel Merritt University. She was a Duke University Fellow in Nursing Leadership (inaugural cohort) and prior to that, completed a post-master’s certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Phoenix. She obtained her master’s of science in Nursing prior to her FNP certification. She had been a registered nurse in the State of California since 1995, obtaining her associate degree in nursing from San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. She was granted the Spirit of Nursing Award, U.S. Army Corp, in 1995.
In Remembrance of Rebecca Rogers
Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.
Author: Clare Harner, Topeka Kansas, 1934
Give today to support future healthcare leaders like Rebecca Rogers
Long-time SMU faculty member Rebecca Rogers, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, passed away July 19. Rebecca had been undergoing treatment for cancer. She was 59.
Rebecca became a Registered Nurse in the State of California in 1995, obtaining her Associate Degree in Nursing from San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton CA.
Honor Rebecca's memory with a gift of $250 towards her new named scholarship.
Rebecca was born 6/17, and she spent the early years of her life growing up happily in Truckee, CA. Now, at the end of her journey, she has returned to Truckee to her final resting place.
At SMU, Rebecca was the Director Post-Masters DNP Program, Sacramento Campus. Her impact was felt in the Sacramento region (916-area), in the Bay Area, and beyond.
