UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For many nurses, caring for critically ill children is a defining moment in their careers. For Parker Rohrbaugh, these moments presented opportunities that inspired him to go beyond the bedside to pursue research for better-informed pediatric outcomes.
Rohrbaugh, who graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing from the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing in 2017, was honored by the college earlier this year with the Alumni Society Board's Emerging Professional Award. The award is presented to a nurse early in their career who demonstrates the potential to significantly impact the nursing profession and is an exemplar in professional practice, community engagement and advocacy.
Rohrbaugh started his career as a registered nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at West Virginia University (WVU) Medicine. He served not only as a trusted nurse, but as a friend and advocate. Rohrbaugh reminisced about some of his most cherished moments, spent providing compassionate care for his young patients and guiding their families through what was likely one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
“I think a lot of us take for granted a normal childhood,” Rohrbaugh said. “It’s gratifying when we can help bring those families full circle and get the children home to try to have a more normal life.”
During his time at WVU, Parker said he gained a deeper insight into the broader needs of the PICU patients with advanced medical complexities. Through supporting families experiencing chronic illness and prolonged hospitalizations, he was inspired to pursue advanced education.
“What is the most that I have to give to my patients? Can I go receive more education, expand my scope of practice and bring the nursing perspective to higher-level decisions?” Rohrbaugh asked. “I just felt like I had a little bit more to give and to increase my impact.”
Rohrbaugh went on to earn a master of science in nursing with a specialization as a pediatric nurse practitioner-acute care from the University of Virginia in 2021. While now practicing as a certified registered nurse practitioner in pediatric cardiology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Rohrbaugh returned to academia and is concurrently earning a doctor of philosophy in nursing from WVU.
Continuing in his efforts to aid the families of critically ill children with advanced medical complexities, Rohrbaugh’s doctoral research focuses on further developing supportive resources and policy interventions related to family-centered care for siblings of critically ill children — those who are physically healthy but deeply affected by the emotional strain of their sibling’s long-term illness.
Outside of clinical and classroom settings, Rohrbaugh said he is passionate about preparing the next generation of nurses. He currently serves as a pediatric adjunct clinical instructor for La Roche University and has guest lectured for the University of Pittsburgh’s acute care pediatric nurse practitioner program.
Rohrbaugh has taken great pride in his journey and in the strong nursing foundations he received at Penn State. Looking ahead, he said he remains dedicated to advancing pediatric health outcomes through research, education and clinical care.
“It’s been a lot of hard work,” he said. “But I keep showing up every day to try and reach my potential — to offer the best part of myself to my patients.”