Donovan quickly gained recognition among the patient community for his efforts. He was heavily recruited and hand-picked by Alpha-1 Foundation founder John Walsh to become the Foundation’s Director of Detection and Community Outreach. Donovan gained an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of not-for-profit patient-driven programs while working with the Alpha-1 Foundation. His responsibilities included public policy agendas within government affairs, national targeted detection programs, research projects with “Key Opinion Leaders”, patient educational and marketing programs, fundraising efforts, and serving as a liaison to the drug manufacturers.
After leaving the not-for-profit sector, Donovan developed a new and innovative sales strategy with Talecris Biotherapeutics (now Grifols), which he piloted in a sales territory that had underperformed historically. By emphasizing education, early detection, and awareness, Donovan was able to take a poor performing territory and grow it into one of the top markets in the country in a short period of time. The strategy was so successful that Donovan was asked to work with the Brand Team to launch it throughout the rest of the country.
Donovan’s success in the sales world led to a return to Centric Health Resources (now DLSS), where he worked on their largest piece of business and developed innovative strategies to improve a growing and successful program. Over the next few years, Donovan went from directing a small team of Patient Advocates to Vice President of Patient Services to Senior Vice President of Patient Direct Programs.
Donovan’s experiences with the Alpha-1 Foundation, Centric Health Resources and DLSS have provided him the opportunity to manage all aspects of operations, develop operational plans for product launches/relaunches, improve program effectiveness, manage a large number of employees from pharmacists to nurses to patient support specialists, design infrastructure, create business development opportunities, and play a key role in companywide strategic planning.
Regardless of his position, Donovan has always kept one thing top of mind: “If you take care of the people that matter, the program will always be successful.” Donovan has spent years doing just that for patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and product manufacturers.