Armando Cabrera Rojo

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Armando Cabrera Rojo’s journey in health care started early on. While his parents nurtured a love for learning, his passion for studying human biology and medicine was unlocked when his mother became ill. He took to educating himself about her disease at the tender age of 11, and enrolled in medical school at 18. After graduating with honors in 1985, he served four years as a general practitioner before returning to medical school to specialize in neurology. Over the next decade, Armando treated patients with epilepsy and movement disorders.

Fulfilled by his work but appalled by the pressure of Cuba’s government and lack of freedom, Armando was drawn to the American dream. Only a few miles away but worlds apart, Armando started his life over in Key West as a hospital housekeeper, then as a clerk. Struggling to get the documents needed for his revalidation as a doctor and nearly bankrupt, he took to the books yet again, this time for nursing, and was a licensed registered nurse by the spring of 2010.

Armando landed his first job as an admitting nurse in a home health agency, followed by positions in the telemetry and ICU units at Kindred Hospital of Hollywood. Rewarded by applying his knowledge to improve patient outcomes, Armando enrolled in FIU’s RN-to-BSN online program in 2013 to pursue a bachelor’s in nursing while continuing to work full-time. Graduating with a 4.0 GPA, after graduation Armando plans to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.