I was president for the 2013 NASPAG ACRM and we were having challenges. Leslie Breech, program director and Joe San Filippo, executive director, Andrea Taylor of Talley and I were working hard to ensure a wellattended, smooth running meeting. Chuck Sapp of Talley told us not to worry. He was going to assign Donna Colavita, meeting planner par excellence, to be on site at the San Diego meeting. He told us Donna was a superstar, and we’d really enjoy working with her.

Chuck’s description of Donna was an understatement. When I met Donna at the ACRM, we hit it off, immediately! Her warmth and professionalism were what I noticed first. Donna engaged with our leadership team so quickly and understood exactly what needed to happen to ensure a successful meeting. Donna and I also became friends. We shared our stories about our lives, mostly about our families.

I was so happy when I heard that Donna was to become a permanent member of the Talley/NASPAG team. At every ACRM, I looked forward to catching up with Donna, especially when she beamed with pride about her sons.

I will always admire Donna’s optimism and courage facing challenges. Donna, I wish your health, strength and only good things. Thank you, Donna, for all you have done for NASPAG. You have helped us accomplish so much and grow!

With love and friendship,

Liz Alderman, MD

I have known Donna since I was NASPAG Scientific Program Chair in 2012. At that time, she was assisting Andrea who was our meeting manager, but I remember her being so kind and willing to learn and give of her time, even back then.

As President of NASPAG, you have the chance to work with Donna more closely and I was lucky to have this chance to work with her again. First impressions are lasting, and as Executive Director for NASPAG, she was always dedicated to the organization, giving 100% of her time when it was needed. She worked tirelessly for NASPAG, responding to urgent needs even after hours, and with the most pleasant and professional demeanor. Donna was always a "Yes" woman! There was never a bad idea, and even if an idea might not have been as good, she found a way to make everyone happy.

I know Donna's family and dogs are so important to her. She once shared a story with me (after my puppy ate one of my textbooks) about how one time, she came home to see that one of her dogs had chewed her couch into tiny pieces. We laughed about that and how dogs can be so mischievous as puppies, but they just make you laugh and are always there for you, loving you unconditionally.

Dr. Jennifer Dietrich 2017-2018

Donna will be missed, and I wish her health and happiness in the future!

I was the president elect the year that Joe retired and during my tenure we decided to extend the Executive Director position to Donna. She was an absolute pleasure to work with: always available (regardless of the time), always professional and kind, always eager to help. With her help we had an incredibly successful meeting in Chicago that year, and we were able to grow the NASPAG investment funds for a “rainy day”.

Her most important attributes are her interpersonal ones: she really cares about people and their lives. As physicians caring for people is at the core of what we do, and I have always respected people who cared for others the most. Donna personifies this value: always asking how things were going, offering to help and a kind ear. She connected with everyone: when we set up the CME credits through MedStar, she immediately realized that the she and the head of CME were from the same town. By the time I joined the call, they were like old friends. Throughout the year I was president, we spoke several times a week, and I really missed our connection and conversation once I left the Board.

Thank you, Donna, - for all you have done for me and for NASPAG! Dr. Veronica Gomez-Lobo 2016-2017

Authentic is a word that comes to mind when I think of Donna. My relationship with Donna spanned many years as the newsletter editor. She helped me draft the budget for the newsletter and negotiate systems within NASPAG. She was extremely supportive of Emily and would laughingly tell me, “Paritosh, we both work for Emily.” She never micromanaged the newsletter and allowed us a free hand in our design and execution. When I met her for the first time at the ACRM, it was like meeting a friend I had known for years. As our friendship deepened, we had some very personal conversations, about our families, adult kids and our values. During the pandemic, we connected, and that warmth was very much there.

Donna’s impact to me is profound. She appreciated the effort and work that I put in and ensured that the President was aware of it. Donna deepened my connection to NASPAG. She saw strengths in all of us and would bring us together.

Donna, I am grateful to have you as a friend.

Thank you for being you. Best, Dr. Paritosh Kaul

Thanks for the opportunity to celebrate Donna Colavita, who has poured her heart and soul into NASPAG with courage and conviction. I met Donna when she managed our check-in desk for the 2012 NASPAG ACRM, when our Talley administrator was Andrea Taylor.

Donna helped do all that was necessary to make our program run smoothly, diving in with enthusiasm and quiet persistence. I met her again and got to know her in my year as President when Joe Sanfilippo ended his term as Executive Director. It was a year of big change. We appointed Paula Hillard as editor of JPAG, which was a brilliant way to build on all of the successes that Joe had created. And we partnered with Talley to choose Donna as our next Executive Director. Amidst transition and change, Donna brought calm and stability. Her “can do” positive attitude got all of the work done, and then some. We were attached at the hip that first year, talking weekly and ensuring that no details were lost in translation during that substantial year of change. Not only did membership thrive but our meetings were a huge success. In turning the reins as NASPAG president over to Veronica Gomez-Lobo the following year, I found that Donna could be counted on to make sure that again, all went smoothly. The same could be said for the transition next to Jenn Dietrich as NASPAG president, with Donna taking on Joe’s role as institutional memory, attending to all details, big and small.

Since our time on the leadership team, Donna has had to face other life challenges, with a major threat to her health that she has faced with courage and tenacity. During that time, she raised her sons into high achieving, accomplished men, has been a devoted wife, mother, executive director for us and for Talley, and a true friend. I miss our weekly talks and love it when we do get “check in” time. One of my favorite images of her is a gorgeous picture of her poking her head out from behind a tree, ready to be helpful, with an inviting smile and kind eyes, having just welcomed me or whoever with her, “Hi, friend!” She has been here for NASPAG when we needed her most. Donna - NASPAG is here for you for whatever you need. 

With respect, affection and love,

Ellen Rome, MD, MPH