Children's Health became her home away from home — inspiring nearly a decade of giving back

Born in the Philippines, Rose Anne Dela Cruz came to the United States nearly 20 years ago through a nurse recruiting agency that placed her at Children’s Health.

“It was just me and my suitcase,” she said with a smile.

Without family in Texas to lean on, Rose Anne quickly met incredible people at Children’s Health that made the hospital feel like her home away from home.

“Children’s Health made me feel like part of the family,” she said. “I didn’t feel much homesickness. I developed great friendships here.”

She was also impressed at the level of care and attention team members showed patients and their families.

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I am not leaving Children’s Health. This is where I want to grow my career. This is the place where I’m going to retire.

— Rose Anne, Children's Health employee

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Over the years, Rose Anne has worked across several areas of the health system, with her experience rooted in Acute Care Services. As a Clinical Resource Team registered nurse, she also floated to the ICU and emergency department, gaining valuable experience and a deeper understanding of patient care.

As her family grew, Rose Anne transferred to the Plano campus in 2019 to be closer to home.

Now, Rose Anne serves as clinical manager at Children’s Medical Center Plano, overseeing an incredible team of nurses, patient care technicians and health unit coordinators that help care for some of the tiniest members of our community.

“There’s been a lot of opportunities that have opened up for me,” she said. “My journey took me from the bedside to leadership.”

Thankful for the place and people that welcomed her with open arms when she first arrived to the country, Rose Anne has been giving back to Children’s Health for nearly a decade through recurring payroll deduction gifts — an easy way to make pre-tax contributions that add up over time and make an incredible difference for the kids and families we serve.

“I’m grateful for all of the impact that Children’s Health has had on my life,” Rose Anne said. “These are some of the reasons that inspire me to continue giving back.”

Her perspective as both a team member and a parent has only strengthened that commitment. After bringing her own son to the crowded emergency room, she experienced the hospital from the other side of care and understood the need to support its growth.

“I hope my support helps families feel that we are here for them and that we care for them,” Rose Anne said. “I want them to come here knowing that their kids will be taken care of, and that they’re receiving the care they deserve.”

Most recently, Children’s Health opened the new patient tower at the Plano campus, expanding emergency services and adding 140 patient beds — more than doubling the size of the hospital. The health system also has begun construction of a new Dallas pediatric campus to care for future generations of kids.

“It’s not about just caring for the patients we have right now, but also those who may come to us in the future,” Rose Anne said. “I hope to inspire others to give back to Children’s Health so we can continue to make life better for more kids.”