Why I Give: Donna Dorozinsky ’83 ’85
Donna ’83 ’85 and Greg Dorozinsky established the first annual and endowed graduate scholarships
Donna Wivell Dorozinsky ’83, ’85 has always known her path. From the time she was 11 working at Fox Run Nursing Home, she knew she wanted to be a nurse. That decision came easily, but choosing where to pursue her nursing degree required more thought.
“I had three schools in mind, and I was accepted into all three,” Donna recalls. “When I met with the dean at Villanova, she told me that if I got into GMercyU, that’s where I should go. My mom also wanted me to go to GMercyU. I think she knew from the start that’s where I belonged.”
Donna enrolled in GMercyU’s 2+2 nursing program, a unique offering at the time. This program allowed her to earn her RN in two years and begin working while completing her BSN.
“My journey would have been completely different if I hadn’t chosen GMercyU,” Donna said. “Because I was in the 2+2 program, I spent the last two years of school focusing on leadership, while many of my peers were still learning the clinical aspects of nursing.”
This foundation served Donna well. After earning her BSN, she immediately pursued graduate studies, obtaining her MSN from Widener University. She began her nursing career at Abington Hospital and, shortly after, transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry in 1989, joining what is now GlaxoSmithKline.
After nearly two decades in the industry, Donna sought a balance between her professional ambitions and family life. This desire led her to establish Just in Time GCP, a consulting firm specializing in optimizing the quality of clinical research. Today, her firm employs more than 100 people and is recognized for its contributions to clinical trial operations and compliance.
While entrepreneurship seemed natural — her parents were both business owners — Donna credits GMercyU with giving her the confidence to take the leap. “GMercyU gave me the confidence to take risks, which is essential for entrepreneurial success,” Donna said. “By the time I was 19, I was already a charge nurse in the ER. I believe that I gained my confidence as a leader and as a woman during my time at GMercyU. So, when I graduated, I was ready to begin my leadership journey.”
As a business leader, Donna understands the importance of investing in the future workforce. Inspired by a family friend pursuing her graduate degree, Donna and her family recently established the first annual and endowed scholarships for graduate students at Gwynedd Mercy University. The annual scholarship supports a graduate student with financial need, while the Endowed Scholarship ensures that future generations will have access to the same opportunities by making graduate education more affordable.
A smart investor seeks a return on investment, and I know society will benefit from this. I chose this scholarship because of its potential for impact and to address a significant unmet need in graduate education.
As a member of GMercyU’s Board of Trustees, Donna is committed to supporting the university’s mission and its future leaders. “I can tell you, I was hired at SmithKline Beecham [now GSK] because the hiring manager’s girlfriend was a GMercyU graduate and an incredible nurse,” Donna recalls. “He took a chance on me because of the reputation of GMercyU grads. I want that legacy to continue.”
Donna’s and her husband Greg’s generosity will ensure that future Distinctive Mercy Graduates have the support they need to follow their own paths, just as she did.
This article was originally published in the TODAY magazine Fall 2024 issue.
Planned Giving Options Ways to Give Contact Us
