Rosemary Royce, ADN, FNP is appointed to the American Health Council’s Board of Nurses. As a family nurse practitioner at Northampton County Health Department in Murfreesboro, N.C., Ms. Royce provides extensive knowledge in Mental Health, Women’s Health and Substance Abuse. With over 40 years in the healthcare industry — and 23 years in her current role — Ms. Royce has helped countless North Carolinians cope with a number of physical and mental ailments.

Already possessing a strong nurturing demeanor, Ms. Royce decided to pursue a career in the nursing field because she desired to care for others during stressful times. She attended St. Petersburg College, where she earned her Associate of Science in Nursing degree in 1962. She later gained her family nurse practitioner degree from East Carolina University in 1977, and quickly constructed a strong foundation for a prosperous career in nursing. She first worked at Roanoke Chowan Human Services Center, a community mental health center, as a coordinator for the adult program and emergency services in 1970 and remained there for 24 years. In 1993, she ran the healthcare program at the Homeless Clinic in Wake County and by the following year, she began working at Northampton County Health Department.

With a passion to positively impact others’ lives, Ms. Royce maintained a reputable position at Northampton County Health Department by ensuring that each patient receives optimum care. While working in the department’s clinic and detox center, she focuses specifically on women’s healthcare. She administers breast and cervical screenings, as well as sexually-transmitted diseases exams. During each procedure, Ms. Royce educates her patients to ensure that each one understands his or her prognosis and helps them lead healthy lives. Additionally, Ms. Royce works part-time at PORT Health as a nurse and family nurse practitioner treating substance abuse patients in a seven-day detox program.

Her work ethic has garnered her several accolades throughout her career, including the Clinician of the Year Award from the North Carolina Community Health Center Association in 1981, and the Ruth Fleetwood Award for Outstanding Performance from the Roanoke-Chowan Human Services Center in 1982. In 1990, she was chosen as a delegate for the People to People Citizen Ambassador Program where she visited several psychiatric facilities in China and shared information with healthcare professionals about mental health in the U.S. She gained a repertoire of skills which, combined with hard work and consciousness, helped her mold and shape her skills to yield a booming career.

Not only does she use her skills to heal patients domestically, but Ms. Royce also travels to Haiti and the Dominican Republic for mission trips to lend a hand to those who need it the most. She volunteers through her local church, and often participates on mission trips with congregants as well. After a long and healthy career in nursing, Ms. Royce looks forward to fully retiring within the next five years, leaving a legacy of quality care.