Incoming Medical Student Follows Family Tradition, Breaks Barriers

"I had a project in eighth grade where I had to say what my life plans were, and I said I wanted to move to Pittsburgh for medical school,” she said. “From the moment I first spoke with admissions counselors at Duquesne to now, I've constantly felt wanted and cared for—like I really deserve this.”

Rose was the first student to commit to the new Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her parents are physicians, and the family is familiar with the Bluff. Her mother, Amanda Trimpey, MD, S’90, is a Duquesne alumna, and her sister, Grace Trimpey-Warhaftig, is a second-year student in Duquesne's occupational therapy program. 

Learning about the University's strengths from her family gave Rose the confidence to pursue her medical degree at Duquesne.

"The fact that Duquesne has so many other health-related programs played a big role in my decision,” she said. “Knowing there are other successful, competitive health programs is a bonus, and I think it provides so much opportunity for collaboration and research.”

With plans to pursue family medicine, Rose has a special interest in treating women and children. She grew up watching her father, a primary care physician, build rapport with his patients and give back to his community. 

These are qualities Rose would like to emulate in her own practice. “With family medicine, it’s more longitudinal care,” she said. “What draws me to it most is you have the same patient base over years and you can build relationships.”

Driven by compassion and empathy, Rose knows that studying osteopathic medicine will equip her with the skills needed to take a whole-body treatment approach. “Holistic patient care is so important,” she said. “It’s a better way to treat a person’s individual needs.”

A fluent Spanish-speaker, Rose is determined to improve access to medical care and make an even bigger impact on her profession and the people it serves. Her desire to address systemic challenges in health care will make her more open to the lives and journeys of others–creating a future everyone can share. 

“There’s a huge need for primary care physicians who speak Spanish,” she said. “I want to use these skills in my daily work to help eliminate barriers.”

Rose is honored to be part of the incoming class and looks forward to learning alongside fellow students and future doctors. She’ll arrive to Duquesne after completing graduate studies in physiology in North Carolina this spring. 

"I'm so excited to build a community,” said Rose. “Pittsburgh is a place where I've always felt like I've belonged.”