Friends, family, and elected officials gathered to honor Josephina Rosa.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen and Councilman Angel Fuentes proudly joined community members, friends, and family to celebrate the official renaming of a city street in honor of longtime Cooper team member Josefina “Josie” Rosa.
Josefina Rosa Way now stands as a lasting tribute to a woman whose warmth, resilience, and commitment to others have left a profound mark on both Cooper University Health Care and the Camden community.
Josie began her career at Cooper in February 2001 as a front desk team member. Although she later retired, her passion for service brought her back to Cooper in 2021—this time as an ambulatory concierge at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, where she continues to uplift patients and colleagues with her signature kindness and compassion.
“Josie is a true patient advocate,” said Cindy Garretson, a clinical educator at Cooper. “Patients who come in for clinical education consistently tell us how kind and wonderful she is.”
Josie’s impact extends far beyond hospital walls. A dedicated community advocate, she is an officer in Los Leathers Jeep Club, organizing events to raise awareness for causes like cancer and autism. She has rallied local businesses—including Old San Juan Restaurant, J&C Trucking, and Mister Meats Grocery Store—and worked closely with elected officials to support parades, marches, and fundraisers. Known for hosting civic gatherings at her home, Josie has built strong relationships across the city, including a close friendship and advisory role with Mayor Carstarphen that helped lead to this well-deserved recognition.
Josie is also a breast cancer survivor whose openness about her journey continues to inspire others. A longtime patient of Generosa Grana, MD, FACP, Josie offers not just her story, but her presence—bringing comfort, peace, and hope to patients facing their own diagnoses.
In 2024, she was honored with the Camden County Prominent Hispanic Award in recognition of her community leadership and advocacy.
“Josie is such a special person—an incredible friend, colleague, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother,” said Kaitlyn Antenucci, director of Ambulatory Operations at MD Anderson at Cooper. “She has a natural ability to connect with people. Her warmth and familiarity make every patient feel seen and cared for.
“I’ll never forget a patient pulling me aside after learning I worked with Josie. He told me that her kindness during his time in behavioral health had helped him through some of his darkest days—and years later, seeing her again at the cancer center brought him strength and peace.”