SPC Lou Rose served with Bravo Company, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Kirkuk, Iraq, from 2003-04, working among local communities during the early, dangerous stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom — restoring services, rebuilding infrastructure, and doing the kind of ground-level work Civil Affairs soldiers do in a combat zone.
Years after coming home, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer, a result of burn pit exposure during his deployment. He recently died.
An award created in his name, the SPC Lou Rose Health Care Hero Award, will be presented to six New Jersey health care professionals recognized for their work with veterans, Sept. 18 at the 2026 Veterans Business Summit at Collins Arena, Brookdale Community College.
“Lou Rose served his country when America called, and unfortunately, the consequences of that service followed him home,” Retired Col. Jeff Cantor, the CEO of the Veterans Chamberr said.
Cantor, who served alongside Rose in Iraq, said the honor has deep meaning for him.
“Every one of this year’s recipients has stepped forward when veterans needed them,” he said. That is exactly what this award represents.”
This year’s honorees:
- Dr. Mary Campagnolo: Virtua Health
- Florey Cruz-Cerpa: Hackensack Meridian Health
- Margie Heller: RWJBarnabas Health
- Dr. Steve Lieberman: Director, East Orange VA Medical Center
- Debbie Rittenour: SVP Government Programs, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Dr. Ernani Sadural: RWJBarnabas Health
The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is organized by the NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce, is being underwritten by sponsors Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Johnson & Johnson and the N.J. Economic Development Authority. (Register here)
Campagnolo has supported multiple Veterans Foundation of America health fairs, providing medical expertise, screenings and referrals to veterans across the state.
Sadural and Heller, through their work at RWJBarnabas Health, have helped bring health services to more than 1,300 veterans through the foundation’s statewide health fairs.
Cruz-Cerpa helped establish a Hackensack Meridian Health partnership with the foundation that has provided screenings and wellness checks to hundreds of veterans, addressing common barriers to care like transportation and appointment access.
Rittenour has supported dozens of health fairs with clinical and financial resources through Horizon BC/BS.
Lieberman’s honor carries a more personal story. After Rose died, his wife, Melissa Rose, told Cantor the family had been denied VA benefits. Cantor contacted Lieberman, who reviewed the case, corrected the error, and made sure the family received what it was owed.
“Steve didn’t look at Lou’s family as another case number,” Cantor said. “He understood that there was a grieving military family on the other end of that decision. He took action, helped correct the problem, and made an enormous difference for Melissa and her family. That is what leadership in veterans health care should look like.”
Cantor said the award ties two forms of service together.
“It honors the service of Soldiers like Lou who were willing to put themselves in harm’s way for our country, and it recognizes the doctors, nurses, health care executives, administrators, advocates, and other professionals who take care of those Soldiers when they come home,” he said. “Lou’s name will now live on through people who dedicate themselves to caring for veterans.”
The Veterans Foundation of America’s health fairs offer veterans access to cardiovascular and pulmonary screenings, diabetes and stroke education, cancer screening resources, mental health support, nutritional services and benefits navigation, among other resources, with the goal of removing barriers that keep veterans from seeking preventive care.
