Elena Rossi, MD, MMM, chair of the pediatric department and director of neonatology at St. Elizabeth Health Center, is acknowledged throughout Humility of Mary Health Partners as an advocate for the babies under her care in the neonatal special care unit at St. Elizabeth's. Since Dr. Rossi joined St. Elizabeth's in 1988, the special care nursery has played an important part in the early life of thousands of babies from the community.

As director of neonatology, Dr. Rossi not only makes sure that the area's most fragile infants receive the best care available, but she also works to educate the pubic in an effort to improve the health of area babies. She appears frequently on local television programs, speaking about topics such as the importance of folic acid for women of childbearing age and the dangers of smoking and drinking during pregnancy.

A graduate of St. Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana, and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Dr. Rossi's pediatric and neonatology training was completed at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and Metro Health Center in Cleveland. In 2002, she received her Master's in Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Rossi is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics for Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.

In addition to her work with Cardinal Mooney as treasurer of the band boosters and as a career day host, she was honored in 2003 by the March of Dimes and was an Athena nominee in 2000. Dr. Rossi is a founding board member for the Touched by Nathan Foundation, which assists families with fragile babies. She has also been involved with the United Way, Youngstown Symphony Guild, Maternal Child Health Workgroup, Folic Acid Workshop, and the Breast Care Advisory Board of St. Elizabeth Health Center. With her appointment as an Associate Professor NEOUCOM, she educates medical students and residents and is a BS/MD interviewer for YSU.

A resident of Poland and a member of Holy Family Church, Dr. Rossi is married to Donald A. Somers and is the mother of two children, Donald and Allyson, who is a Cardinal Mooney sophomore