Donato D. "Don" LaRossa

I was one of Dr. LaRossa´s patients, and even years after his passing, his name still carries weight. In 2020, a surgeon in Colorado told me it was an honor to meet someone Dr. LaRossa had cared for. Though they had never met, he knew of Dr. LaRossa´s reputation and spoke of him with deep respect. That moment reminded me just how far Dr. LaRossa´s impact reached-and how lucky I was to have been in his hands.

I just today found out about Dr. LaRossa's passing. I worked with him at FAMC in the 70's and we reconnected in 1978 at CHOP when he was the surgeon for my infant daughter who was born with a cleft lip/palate .Other problems caused more surgeries and he always visited with her during her hospital stays and was a real comfort and help when a surgical mishap occurred. {not by him} He was a wonderful man and doctor and I just wish I knew of his passing earlier as my daughter also died.

Thinking of Dr. LaRossa today xx

I met Dr. LaRossa when my daughter was an infant in 2005 and he performed her initial cleft repair in October of that year. I was terrified to send my tiny little girl into an operating room. But something about Dr. LaRossa put me at ease. Today she had her very last cosmetic adjustment at age 17 and I googled to see what Dr. LaRossa was up to these days. I am so sorry to learn of his passing. He touched so many children´s lives. He told me at the time that my daughter was one of his last...

I think of him from time to time, and thank God my son had him as his surgeon. He had hands of gold. I will, forever, be grateful for him giving my son his smile

I think of Dr. LaRossa every time my 16 year old son smiles. I am forever thankful for his kindness and his care. Gone too soon for sure.

Dr LaRossa will forever be in my heart & the hearts of my family as a hero - He changed the course of our lives in a very, completely significant way by providing a far better outcome for my mother than was expected. He also provided hope and compassion, but realistic expectations. Though my mother is now in heaven with Dr. LaRossa - they live on not only in heaven but on earth in our hearts and memories. Bless Dr LaRossa & his family and loved ones on this special day.

Dr. LaRossa changed my life. He took care of me for 18 years repairing my bilateral cleft lip and palate. He was one of the kindest, gentlest souls I have ever met. I learned of his passing today when I called CHOP to ask how I could give back and help other families or patients in need. I am deeply saddened by the news and I truly was so blessed to have been under his care.

Dr. LaRossa, you had a heart of gold and hands of an angel. I hope you know the impact you had on my life and I...

the best surgeon I had I am a major cleft with more to go today is my birthday I am 54 my mom had a top job with the cia on the manhattan project as a legal secretary and dealt with 4 presidents I graduated number one in my high school have 3 degrees and will be a cpa starting to close the estate with the president and money will has been donated to operation smile I have given money to chop thru the years too I believe my mom dealt with 4 presidents and her work on nuclear weapons he cared...