Rojas, Joseph A., 1933-2009

Dr. Joseph Rojas, born December 09, 1933 in Alexandria, Louisiana, was the son of Joseph Edward and Carroll Rojas. He graduated high school at age 16 and entered Loyola University of the South. Two years later, he was accepted at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, graduating with a medical degree in 1957. He interned at Charity Hospital and then completed his Obstetrics- Gynecology (OB-GYN) residency at Tulane University.

Rojas married Mona Robicheaux, who was a registered nurse, during his residency and afterwards joined the United States Air Force. He and his family, including their six children, were stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. He was chief of OB-GYN and deputy hospital commander while at Nellis and then served as chief of OB-GYN at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital until 1972. He later served as chief of staff at the Women’s Hospital and Valley Hospital, and was the first chief of staff at Summerlin Hospital.

Rojas also maintained a private practice outside of the hospital. His wife worked alongside him in his office. In 1966, Dr. Rojas started the first OB-GYN residency in Nevada, which led to the development of the University Of Nevada State Of Medicine. He was a researcher, lecturer, teacher, and author. He earned many awards, including the Nevada State Medical Association Distinguished Physician Award in 1980 and Harold Feikes Doctor of Medicine Award for Outstanding Physician in Clark County in 2001. Dr. Joseph Rojas passed away May 17, 2009.