Joan E. DaVanzo

1953 - 2024

9/27/1953 - 2/25/2024
Joan Elizabeth DaVanzo, who lived her life tirelessly pursuing her passions, died on February 25, 2024, after a difficult and extended battle with cancer and its complications. Joan, 70, was an amazing talent with a ready smile, sharp intellect and a wicked sense of humor. She worked fiercely to build the health care finance and public health consulting firm she co-founded, Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC, into an exceptional small business that is widely respected for its health policy expertise. Her absence is felt deeply by both her colleagues at the firm and those across the US health policy community. Joan's kindness, generosity, and warmth were blessings to her immediate and extended families who miss her

Joan lived her life as a worldwide explorer, an equestrian, a business woman, and a mentor of young women and men, with the rare combination of passion, discipline and humor. After graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Richmond (U of R), she became the sixth woman member of the New York Stock Exchange – Joan was a pioneer who worked for the inclusion of women in finance. Her passion for helping others next led her to earn a Master's degree in Social Work from the New York University School of Social Work – which she applied to a successful clinical practice for over ten years. Her quest for knowledge then led her to the RAND Corporation in California, which she leveraged into a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles, as a Pew Fellow. She then returned to the east coast where she joined the Lewin Group, a leading health policy consulting firm. There she met her future husband, and business partner, Allen Dobson. After their marriage, they started Dobson DaVanzo, where Joan served as Chief Executive Officer.

One highlight of Joan's distinguished career in health policy was her contribution to the establishment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy at home for beneficiaries with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD). Her involvement in assessing IVIG at home spanned from its conception to its installment as a permanent Medicare benefit. Her dedication and contributions to IVIG home therapy reflect a common theme of her career: conducting analyses with the aim of meaningfully improving care for Medicare beneficiaries.

Joan's passions and discipline are evidenced by her roles on two corporate boards. She pursued these opportunities with her typical vigor and humor. She was an early member of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation (WBL) (wbl.org), a premier network of over 1,400 female senior executives across the health care and life sciences industry. Joan subsequently became a member of WBL's board of directors. Joan was instrumental in helping the WBL board and the WBL staff in so many important ways, particularly because of her extensive knowledge of the health care and life sciences industry and because of her experience leading a small business. Additionally, Joan was a member of the Board of Directors for the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) where she combined her love of business, economics, and politics with her passion for protecting wild horses and burros. Her editing process for a report on the Adoption Incentive Program resulted in a front-page, New York Times story. She also played a significant role in the development of an economic analysis that convinced Congress to appropriate $11 million in funding for fertility control. She shared her life with many mares and geldings over the years and competed in local dressage events, resulting in an accrual of blue ribbons.

Joan is survived by her husband, Allen Dobson, of Vienna, VA, siblings Robert John DaVanzo of High Point, NC, Stephen Phillip DaVanzo of Chagrin Falls, OH, John Paul DaVanzo, Jr. (Ashley) of Chesapeake, VA, William James DaVanzo (Ashley) of Leesburg, GA, and Elizabeth D. Ireland (Joel) of Chesapeake, VA, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her extended family of Mira, Braden, and colleagues who became an important part of Joan's life and who were like family members to her, and her "Queens," a group of fellow U of R's who have been through it all together and were featured on a Jane Pauley segment on women with extended friendships. She is preceded in death by her father, Dr. John Paul DaVanzo, and mother, Jean Berniece DaVanzo.

Joan wished that any remembrance of her be made to charities related to dogs, horses, or wildlife –her enduring loves that were evidenced in her hobbies, travels, and volunteer activities.
A Joan DaVanzo memorial fund has been established at AWHC in her honor. Donations can be made to American Wild Horse Campaign, PO Box 1733, Davis, CA 95617. Donations in her memory also can be made to the WBL Boundless Campaign – that supports women lead start-up health care companies and the WBL Fellows program. https://www.wblboundless.org/