Milagros Rosado Elia
Say hello to September’s Wonderful Woman of WOC™: Milagros Rosado Elia, M.A, APRN, ANP-BC
It’s that time again and we are proud to honor Milagros Rosada Elia as our September Wonderful Woman of WOC™!
Milagros Rosado Elia,M.A, APRN, ANP-BC obtained her Master’s degree as an Advanced Practice Nurse from NYU in 2001,and has been a nurse in both the clinical and community setting for the past 25 years. She is also the founder of M. Elia Wellness, LLC, a company that partners with larger health care organizations interested in innovative health program design, consulting and educational services that support the needs of patients as well as the front line staff that care for them. In addition to her company, Milagros has had a lifelong commitment to advocating for the health and wellbeing of BIPOC. She is focused on environmental justice and health care inequities facing these communities in today’s challenged healthcare system. Most recently, she has been volunteering tirelessly to bring awareness, and much needed supplies to the Navajo Nation in Arizona decimated by COVID-19. Her volunteer efforts have successfully led to bringing together organizational support for major fundraising efforts. Closer to home, she continues her activism work by advocating for the safety and wellbeing of domestic violence victims and their children by volunteering with a local women’s shelter. She has had the privilege of working together with their leadership to organize fundraising events, and donations of supplies needed to reopen the shelter after a period of closure during COVID.
In Her Own Words
What is your favorite book?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
What is your favorite quote?
“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Do you have a favorite city?
San Juan, Puerto Rico
What inspired you to volunteer outside your given profession of nursing?
I was born, raised and lived most of my early adult life in an underserved and marginalized Hispanic and Black community in the inner city of NY. During the 1970’s, I witnessed wide scale systemic racial injustices that included lack of resources, health inequities and more. Once I was able to rise my own self up, it was never a question in my mind to reach back and help others.
What synergies have you found between nursing and fundraising/philanthropy?
Nursing is the art and science around caring for individuals, families, communities and populations. In order to be committed to and be successful in fundraising / philanthropy at any level, one must start from that very same place - caring.
Where do you want to be in 3 years?
I hope to be working and continuing my volunteerism on a more global platform. My plans include lending my voice to committees within the United Nations that support goals of health & wellness and protecting the rights of women around the world.
Do you have any advice for other women thinking of volunteering outside their profession?
Never doubt you have something of worth to offer! Whatever your passion is - in absolutely ANY area- there is a great need to support it within communities and organizations. Spend some time online and off researching organizations that compliment your interest and ask what they need and how you can help.
How can other women bring awareness to the causes they serve, in their day-to-day lives?
I have found social media platforms to be a very effective, easy (and free) way to bring awareness to causes. I utilize this modality as an easy tool myself day-today life and highly recommend it!
Learn more Milagros’ work with M. Elia Wellness and connect with her on Twitter!
