Peter Rosa, MD

Peter Rosa, MD, is a primary care provider at Amberwell Hiawatha. Dr. Rosa began caring for the Hiawatha community in 1998 and has been a familiar and trusted face ever since. During a brief hiatus beginning in 2022, he and his wife served at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates. He returned to Hiawatha in 2024 to continue to offer the compassionate and skilled care that has always been at the heart of his practice. Often praised for his excellent bedside manner, Dr. Rosa ensures that each patient feels heard and cared for.

On choosing Amberwell

Dr. Rosa’s return to Amberwell had a lot to do with his deep connection to Hiawatha, which has been home to him and his family for over twenty-five years. “Hiawatha is home,” he explained. “We’ve enjoyed our travels and adventures, and now we’ve settled in. This fits.” In addition to feeling at home in Hiawatha, Dr. Rosa returned to be near his children, and eventually, his children’s children. “We called a meeting with the kids to tell them that we had put the house on the market,” recalls Dr. Rosa. “Then the tears started to flow. They said that this was always going to be Grandma’s house and they want their kids to play in the trees and barns on our property as they did when they were younger.” Fortunately, Dr. Rosa’s wife, Dr. Julie Rosa, found flexible work allowing them to choose where they would like to live, which served to solidify their decision to return.

On choosing to become a primary care provider

Dr. Rosa initially explored a career in dentistry but found his true calling in family medicine, drawn by his interest in both science and people. “I knew I wanted to live in a small town,” he said. “As a family doctor in a close-knit community, I enjoy the relationships I get to build with my patients. I get to know them so well that it makes getting through the healthcare part of their visits faster,” he joked, “then I have time to ask about their lives.”

On patient experience

Patients choose Dr. Rosa for his attentive and personal approach to care. “I think people know that I listen, and I care,” he shared. His long tenure in the community has allowed him to build deep connections with his patients, helping him to quickly notice when something is amiss with their health, which is invaluable in providing effective care.

About Dr. Rosa

Dr. Rosa and his wife share four children, three daughters and one son. Each has followed in their parents’ footsteps, pursuing careers in healthcare and veterinary science.

Dr. Rosa is an avid outdoorsman. When he is not caring for patients, he enjoys hiking, gardening, and planting trees—a hobby that reminds him of his various travels. “Walking along the tree-lined path on our property and remembering different vacations we’ve taken based on the over five hundred trees we’ve planted from our travels is indeed something special,” he said. Dr. Rosa prioritizes being active in community service, having served on the school board and co-founded a winter basketball program. He’s a faithful participant in church activities and always eager to explore new ways to engage with the community.