ROSEMARY'S STORY
About Rosemary
Rosemary was a member of the first class of women to be admitted to the University of Notre Dame. After graduation, she was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.
She continued her education at the nation’s only military medical school where she earned her medical degree. She went on to specialize in OB/GYN and served military members and their families in Germany and Texas. After 15 years in the Air Force, Rosemary and her family moved to Ogden.
From 1992 to 2020, she worked as an OB/GYN doctor in the Ogden Women's Clinic, Ogden Regional Medical Center, and McKay-Dee Hospital.
Additionally, she and her husband Dave, also a physician, have served as volunteers with the Ouelessebougou Alliance, providing surgical care to people in Mali, West Africa. They also joined Notre Dame’s medical team to provide emergency medical services in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. ​
Rosemary was at her last day of work as a doctor on December 30, 2020, when she got the call informing her that Representative Lou Shurtliff had tragically passed away.
​
Representative Shurtliff had just won reelection as the Democratic representative in the Utah legislature for House District 10, which included parts of Ogden and South Ogden. Rosemary was asked to run for the seat. She answered the call to serve, and after she was selected by the Weber County Democratic state delegates, she was appointed by Governor Cox to finish Representative Shurtliff's term.
​
Rosemary brings to the Legislature a veteran’s well-honed skills of quality leadership and management, adaptability, and the attitude that lasting success is shared success.
Her work in the House is driven by the same sense of service that motivated her to join the military as she strives to address the problems facing our community and our state. As the only Democratic veteran and one of the few physicians in the Legislature, she brings a unique perspective and valuable experiences to the table in advocating for the people of District 10.
Rosemary and her husband Dave have six children and ten grandchildren. They love sailing in bodies of water large and small, from the Pacific Ocean to Willard Bay. You’ll often find Rosemary hiking the trails of the Wasatch Mountains.
​
When not outside, she and Dave are often attending community theater and music concerts. Most recently she has taken up pickleball and plays with the legislative team from the Utah House who are all very gracious in accepting a rookie.
​
Rosemary is also proud to support many community organizations focused on areas such as the arts, public health, and support for those affected by domestic violence.
Community Recognitions
Rosemary was a leading force in promoting the United Way's Connection Learning Campus and she obtained funding for the 211 Program which connects people in need with housing, food assistance, and healthcare resources.
In recognition of her advocacy for policies that promote entrepreneurship, Rosemary has received the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Business Champion award four consecutive years.
Rosemary was recognized as the 2023 Community Champion by the Utah Association for Infant Mental Health (UAIMH) for her work that extended Medicaid benefits for women from 60 days to one year after they deliver their babies.
Rosemary was a leading force in promoting the United Way's Connection Learning Campus and she obtained funding for the 211 Program which connects people in need with housing, food assistance, and healthcare resources.
Scroll right to see Rosemary's other awards and recognitions
Commitment to Community
Rosemary's commitment to her community is reflected in the diverse range of organizations she supports. She currently serves on the boards of:
​
-
Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis: Where she advocates for youth development and opportunity.
-
Envision Utah: Collaborating on long-term planning for a vibrant and inclusive region.
-
Onstage Ogden: Championing the arts as a vital part of our cultural landscape.
-
Weber State University Walker Institute of Politics: Working to bridge divides and promote understanding in our political discourse.