Shrub Oak Names Dr. Andrea Rosa to Lead Health and Wellness for Students with Autism

New leadership aimed at better day-to-day care

Shrub Oak International School has announced that Dr. Andrea Rosa, DNP, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN, RN, will serve as the school’s Director of Health and Wellness. The move brings a clinical leader into a role that touches both the medical and mental-health needs of students who attend Shrub Oak’s therapeutic day and residential programs.

Who Shrub Oak serves and what the school does

Shrub Oak is a specialized school that works with autistic children, adolescents and young adults. It runs therapeutic day programs and residential services, which means some students live on campus while others attend during the day. The school blends education with mental-health and behavioral support so students can learn and build life skills in a setting designed for their needs.

Programs at Shrub Oak include classroom learning tailored to each child, therapy services, residential care with trained staff, and medical oversight. Many students have complex needs that require coordinated care — from nursing and medication management to counseling and behavior supports. That mix of services is why the school chose to place a clinician with strong mental-health credentials in charge of health and wellness.

Meet Dr. Andrea Rosa: clinical credentials and a focus on student well-being

Dr. Andrea Rosa brings a long nursing and mental-health background to Shrub Oak. Her credentials — Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Registered Nurse (RN) — show training in clinical care and psychiatric treatment.

In her new role, Dr. Rosa will oversee nursing services, mental-health delivery, medication management and health policy across the school’s day and residential programs. That includes working with physicians, therapists, teachers and residential staff to keep care consistent from the classroom to the dormitories. She will also help set training standards for staff who support students with daily medical and behavioral needs.

Before joining Shrub Oak, Dr. Rosa built experience in psychiatric nursing and in settings that serve children and young adults. That background — clinical practice combined with leadership work in behavioral health — is exactly what Shrub Oak says it needs to tighten clinical oversight and improve student outcomes.

What this leadership change should produce for students and families

Shrub Oak has framed the appointment as a step toward safer, more coordinated care. With Dr. Rosa leading health and wellness, the school plans sharper systems for tracking health needs, clearer protocols for medication and emergencies, and more staff training tied to mental-health best practices. For families, that can mean fewer gaps when students move between classrooms, therapy sessions and residential life.

The school also indicated priorities like expanding family communication about health plans, strengthening behavioral-safety protocols, and using consistent measures to judge whether changes improve day-to-day life for students.

Voices from the school and Dr. Rosa

In the announcement, the school’s leadership praised Dr. Rosa’s mix of hands-on clinical work and experience in mental-health care. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Rosa,” a school official said, noting her skill in building systems that put student safety first while keeping care humane and practical.

Dr. Rosa, for her part, described the work as student-centered. “My goal is to make health and wellness a steady, predictable part of each student’s day so that teachers, families and therapists can focus on learning and growth,” she said in the statement announcing her appointment.

About Shrub Oak and how to learn more

Shrub Oak International School is a specialized education provider that combines therapeutic programs with residential services for autistic students from childhood into young adulthood. The school emphasizes individualized learning, mental-health supports and life-skill development for students with complex needs.

Parents or stakeholders who want more information, referrals, or details about admissions and health services are encouraged to contact the school’s main office or admissions team. Contact details and program information are available through the school’s usual communication channels and on its website.

Sources

• prnewswire.com