Health care heroes: From schoolbooks to scrubs

From schoolbooks to scrubs, senior year of high school for Rosaisela Santoyo-Maciel has been a journey that she will remember forever.

Called “Rosie” by her fellow team members, she began as a certified nursing assistant at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in 2019. From the start, her dream was to become a nurse.

“People think that working as a CNA is just doing all of the grunt work. Of course, that’s part of the job, but I don’t see it as a bad thing,” said Santoyo-Maciel.

Only 18 years old, Rosie is one of Aurora St. Luke’s youngest employees. Despite her youth, she’s wise beyond her years, striking up a camaraderie with the older patients she spends time with. Whether it’s going for a walk, washing their face or just spending time with them, Rosie enjoys it because “it puts a smile on my patients’ face.”

Rosie has made a big impact on patients and colleagues alike, all while balancing her studies as a high school student at Milwaukee’s Carmen School of Technology and Science. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, and that includes high school students who have had to go to school remotely and miss out on rites of passage like graduation.

Despite these hurdles, Rosie has persevered, continuing to work along the frontlines with other selfless heroes.

“To do the kind of work she’s doing at such a young age, I find it brave that she’s doing that,” said Shavonya Wright, patient care manager at Aurora St. Luke’s.

On her way to reaching her dream of becoming a nurse, Rosie will check another important milestone off the list. In the fall, she will become a first-generation college student, earning a full scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin.

“The enriching experience at St. Luke’s taught me that I am able to make a difference in the healthcare field as long as I do it with care and dedication,” said Santoyo-Macie. “I appreciate the interactions I’ve had with my patients and helping them any way I’m able.”