Dr. Donald A. Donahue – Global Health & Crisis Management Leader

Summary: Dr. Donald A. Donahue is a healthcare entrepreneur, educator, and military veteran with decades of leadership in healthcare administration, emergency preparedness, and global health policy. With a distinguished career across the military, government, and private sectors, he is known for paradigm-shifting innovations recognized by Fast Company, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Vice President of the United States.

Global Impact & Leadership

Dr. Donahue serves as a professor at Excelsior University and affiliate faculty at Sigmund Freud University, where he directs the Interdisciplinary Centre for Crisis Management and Disaster Medicine. He also works with the Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians Fellowship in Disaster Medicine. His global efforts focus on advancing healthcare operations, bioterrorism response, and population health resiliency.

• Developed strategic initiatives for the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
• Designed academic programs in healthcare administration and global health.
• Led major evaluations of behavioral health services for veterans.

Areas of Expertise

• Healthcare Administration & Emergency Preparedness
• Homeland Security & Bioterrorism Response
• Population Health Surveillance & Education
• Policy Development & HIPAA Compliance
• Advanced Healthcare Analytics & Advocacy
• Crisis Management & Disaster Medicine

Military & Government Leadership

• Retired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Medical Service Corps.
• Designed the 28,000-member Army Reserve Medical Command.
• Developed the $150M Reserve Health Readiness Program.
• Led the Joint/Interagency Civil Support Training Center.
• Oversaw medical operations during the Gulf War.

Board Memberships & Thought Leadership

• President, World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine.
• Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.
• Board roles: American Academy of Disaster Medicine; Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health; and others.
• Global Health Programming Board, World Humanitarian Forum (Past Chair).

Recognition & Achievements

• Vice President’s Hammer Award for Reinventing Government.
• Department of Veterans Affairs Award for Contracting Excellence.
• Fast Company Fast 50 Honoree.
• Excelsior University Alumni Achievement Award (2023).
• ACHE Senior-Level Executive Award – DC & Northern Virginia.

Academic Credentials

• Doctor of Health Education — A.T. Still University
• MBA — Baruch College
• MSJ in Health Law — Seton Hall University
• B.S. in Sociology & Political Science — University of the State of New York
• Graduate — U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

Commitment to Service & Innovation

Whether through healthcare consulting, academic leadership, or crisis response strategy, Dr. Donahue is committed to improving systems and saving lives. His blend of strategic insight, academic rigor, and operational expertise makes him a visionary in healthcare transformation and global health security.