July 7, 2025, Houston, TX, —At its regular Board of Directors meeting on May 27, Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose, announced her plans to retire on December 31, 2025. Ms. Gibbons has been with the organization since its inception in 1985 when she and Dixie Melillo, M.D., decided there had to be a better way to help women dealing with breast cancer. Dorothy completed the nonprofit’s original application for 501 (c) (3) status, which was awarded in July 1986.
With innovation, courage, and an unrelenting belief that women deserve the best in healthcare, Ms. Gibbons has led the organization to become one of the leading nonprofits in Houston and a significant source of breast care for the medically underserved. Through two Houston-based diagnostic centers and five mobile mammography coaches, The Rose serves over 40,000 women and men annually, providing services throughout 45 counties in Southeast Texas.
Earning the distinction as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence from the American College of Radiology (ACR) in 2017, The Rose has now served over one million insured and uninsured women and men.
Ms. Gibbons introduced the concept of patient navigators in 1999, and today, its award-winning Patient Navigation to Treatment Program secures follow-up, and survivorship support for over 500 uninsured women who are diagnosed with breast cancer on an annual basis.
She created the Breast Health Collaborative of Texas in 2007 and launched a multi-county mobile mammography program in 2010, which is now the largest, in volume and geographic coverage, in the State. In 2022, she initiated the Mammogram to Medical Home Program to eliminate another barrier to care for those women who do not have a physician.
In March 2023 Ms. Gibbons launched The Rose “Let’s Talk About Your Breasts” Podcast in both English and Spanish. It has consistently ranked in the top 50 on Apple nonprofit podcasts and has now exceeded 70,000 downloads. Dorothy’s book, The Women of The Rose, published in 2015, has ranked number one in Cancer E-books.
Her pioneering approach, multiple successes, and credibility have made her a trusted thought partner to many, both in the nonprofit and breast cancer arenas. She is the recipient of dozens of awards, a sought-after speaker, and podcast guest. The highlight of her literary career is not the thousands of award-winning grant proposals she has written or her best-selling book but, instead, the annual Holiday Play held at The Rose for its employees and medical staff.
“It has been my greatest privilege to lead the exceptionally talented team at The Rose and to be a voice for those we serve. I have the utmost respect for the governing Board of Directors, and I am confident that they will make an excellent choice in their search for the next CEO. I’m deeply grateful to the donors and volunteers who have helped pave the way for our successes, and I look forward to seeing new achievements through the lens of CEO Emerita,” said Gibbons.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our profound gratitude to Dorothy for her extraordinary leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to The Rose. As co-founder and CEO, Dorothy has been the heart and driving force behind this organization for nearly four decades—transforming it from a visionary idea into a life-saving resource for thousands across Texas,” said Shannon Beirne Wiesedeppe, board chair of The Rose.
Ms. Wiesedeppe continued, “Under Dorothy’s leadership, The Rose has become a nationally recognized model for accessible breast health care, providing quality services, regardless of ability to pay. Her steadfast dedication to health equity has not only shaped the organization’s mission but also changed countless lives. She has been an inspiring partner to the Board. Her passion, courage, and perseverance will leave an indelible mark on all of us—and her ability to lead with both conviction and compassion is unmatched. The values she instilled and the legacy she built will continue to guide The Rose for years to come.”
To prepare for this important transition, the Board will engage an executive search firm to lead a national search for the next CEO. This process will be thoughtful and comprehensive, focused on identifying a leader who embodies the mission of The Rose and can build on Dorothy’s extraordinary legacy.
To schedule a media interview with any member of The Rose, please contact Ivis Batista at 978-885-7306 or email [email protected]. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.therose.org.
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided a full range of breast health services to more than one million patients. Its mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As one of 12 ACR Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Centers in Houston, The Rose is led by Fellowship trained physicians and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As a major part of Southeast Texas’ Healthcare Safety Net, The Rose is a strong advocate for access to care. Annually, The Rose provides direct medical services to 40,000 insured and uninsured patients. Two Houston-based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and a fleet of Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 45 counties in Southeast Texas.