Breaking Barriers in Cancer Care: The Extraordinary Journey of Rochelle Prosser

By Grant McGaugh

In the ever-evolving landscape of oncology, where innovation meets advocacy, few voices are as powerful as Rochelle Prosser—a former neurotrauma ICU nurse turned cancer care disruptor. As the founder and CEO of Orchid Healthcare Solutions, Prosser is leading the charge to eliminate disparities in cancer treatment, advocate for patient rights, and leverage technology to bridge gaps in access to care.

Her journey, however, is not just one of professional ambition—it is a personal battle against a system that often fails those who need it most. In a riveting episode of the Follow The Brand Podcast, hosted by Grant McGaugh, Prosser unveiled the raw and unfiltered reality of navigating cancer treatment—not only as a healthcare provider but as a wife, mother, and relentless advocate fighting for her family’s survival.

When Cancer Comes for Everything You Love

Prosser's story is not just another healthcare narrative—it is a testament to resilience, intelligence, and the unyielding fight for survival. A 30-year veteran in critical care, she never imagined she would battle the very system she once served. That battle began when both her husband and four-year-old daughter were diagnosed with cancer simultaneously—a nightmare scenario that forced her to become both a caregiver and a warrior.

Her daughter's diagnosis was particularly harrowing: Stage 4 brain cancer, inoperable, with no clear treatment path. Doctors told her to "take her home and make her comfortable." But for Prosser, surrender was never an option.

“Are you going to treat my child or not?” she recalls asking the providers—a moment that underscores the gut-wrenching reality of seeking care when medical science has no ready-made answers.

The response? Clinical hesitation. The treatment that might work had never been tested on African-American children, nor specifically on young girls. With no precedent and no guarantees, she had to push the system beyond its protocols, demanding innovation and seeking solutions others were too afraid to explore.

Meanwhile, her husband, a commercial truck driver, unknowingly developed a weeping tumor in his lung, which was drowning him in his own fluid. Prosser, relying on her deep medical expertise, self-diagnosed his condition before the providers did. When his physician attempted to randomize him into a clinical trial with an outdated and deadly treatment protocol, Prosser intervened in real-time—literally pulling him out of the doctor's office before an irreversible decision was made.

The Three Barriers to Oncology Care

Through her personal journey and professional expertise, Prosser has identified what she calls the “Three Fundamental Barriers to Oncology Treatment”—critical gaps that dictate who survives and who doesn’t:

1. Lack of Knowledge – Many patients don’t know where to go or what is available to them. Not every hospital is equipped for every type of cancer, and the wrong facility can mean the wrong treatment—leading to unnecessary loss of life.
2. Lack of Therapeutic Access – Even when the right treatments exist, not everyone has access to them. Insurance restrictions, formulary limitations, and geographic barriers mean that some patients are simply not given the best chance to survive.
3. System Navigation Failures – Oncology is complex, with fragmented communication between specialists, hospitals, and researchers. Patients without an advocate like Prosser often get lost in the maze of clinical protocols, never receiving the individualized care they deserve.

“If you change just one of these barriers, the outcome shifts,” Prosser explains. “Any one of them could mean the difference between life and death.”

Orchid Healthcare Solutions: A Lifeline for Patients

Born out of her battle for survival, Orchid Healthcare Solutions provides expert navigation, advocacy, and technology-driven solutions for cancer patients. The organization offers:

• A comprehensive treatment library that identifies the best available therapies—beyond what a single hospital or insurer might recommend.
• Clinical trial matchmaking, helping patients access cutting-edge treatments before they become standard care.
• Sustainable patient support, ensuring long-term guidance, from financial resources to college tuition support for children of cancer patients.
• A bridge between medical providers, ensuring interdisciplinary teams talk to each other and work collaboratively for the best patient outcomes.

The Takeaway: Be Your Own Advocate

Prosser’s message to patients is clear: Don’t wait for the system to tell you what’s possible—demand answers, seek knowledge, and find the right team to fight for you.

For healthcare providers, she presents a challenge: Listen to your patients. Break the silos. Rethink conventional treatments, because lives depend on it.

In an industry often constrained by regulations, protocols, and financial incentives, Prosser stands as a disruptor, a truth-teller, and a champion for those left behind.

Her journey is far from over, but thanks to her relentless advocacy, more patients will get a fighting chance—not just against cancer, but against a system that too often tells them “no.”

How to Connect with Orchid Healthcare Solutions

For those navigating cancer care or seeking expert guidance, Orchid Healthcare Solutions offers a vital resource. Visit OrchidHealthcareSolutions.com or connect with Rochelle Prosser on LinkedIn to learn more.

About Rochelle Prosser

Rochelle Prosser is an Army Mom, healthcare founder, and patient advocate who has transformed her family's cancer battles into a mission to help others. As a parent and wife of two cancer survivors, she spent nine years searching for viable treatments, leading her to create the Prosser Cancer Treatment Library, a comprehensive resource designed to reduce stress and bridge information gaps for families navigating cancer treatment.

Through Orchid Healthcare Solutions, Rochelle provides a Nursing-dedicated EHR, cancer education, system navigation, and advocacy for patients, oncology providers, and healthcare partners. She is committed to removing health disparities and improving survivorship rates in African-American communities.

Rochelle is a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, Neurotrauma Critical Care Nurse, and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Oncology Nursing Society, and Digital Medicine Society. She was appointed to the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee in 2023 and co-chairs multiple subcommittees focused on health equity and technology innovation.

Additionally, she serves as a Patient Ambassador for the Foundation for the National Institute of Health and sits on the boards of the STEM and Cancer Health Equity Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital Miami Committee, and the University of Miami Patient and Families Council.

Her leadership in oncology, policy advocacy, and commitment to healthcare transformation make her one of the most influential voices in the fight for equitable cancer care.

About the Author

Grant McGaugh is the CEO of 5 STAR BDM, a leading brand development firm specializing in personal branding, business strategy, and digital influence. As the award-winning host of the Follow The Brand Podcast, he has built an impactful platform that showcases visionary leaders across healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship. With a mission to help executives and entrepreneurs establish strong personal brands, Grant continues to be a leading voice in business growth and thought leadership. Listen to the award-winning Follow The Brand Podcast at 5StarBDM.com.