The Kitchen Table Origins of Dobson | DaVanzo

Pictured from left to right: Allen Dobson, Joan DaVanzo, Steven Heath, Patrick McMahon, Audrey El-Gamil

The story of Dobson | DaVanzo and associates began around the household kitchen table. It was here that the idea of creating a small, impactful company took root. Allen Dobson, Ph.D., and Joan DaVanzo, Ph.D., MSW, husband and wife, envisioned a business not defined by its size but by its dedication to meaningful work and a strong corporate culture. They believed that a small team of committed individuals would be ideal, fostering a close-knit environment reminiscent of their roots.

Around their kitchen table, Joan’s passion for science and journal articles blended seamlessly with Al’s expertise in health economics. Their first associate joined in their discussions, and together, they contemplated the possibilities. Could they really make this work? Should they take the plunge? The answers led them to embark on this journey, fueled by the belief that they could indeed make a difference.

Dr. Dobson and Dr. Davanzo's approach to projects emphasized diversity across research topics and clients, balancing public and private sectors, and commitment to fair dealings with clients and employees alike. The challenges were significant, including the need for substantial computer power to handle vast amounts of claims data soon required to drive their work. However, they remained committed to growing the business organically, relying on the clients they knew and reinvesting their proceeds into corporate growth.

From their kitchen table, they planned their seamless departure from their current employer, setting the stage for their corporate development. Early on, Steven Heath, the second associate who remains with the firm to this day, expanded their analytic model-building and IT capabilities.

Joan’s successful Small Business Expedited Research and Demonstration (SBRAD) proposal, written during a “family camp” vacation in Stehekin, Washington, became a family legend and marked the beginning of their government work. Al’s leadership on subsequent proposals solidified their presence in the field.

The commercial business grew steadily as well, with Post-Acute Care clients leading the way from their kitchen table to their current offices. Dobson | DaVanzo’s litigation support work expanded significantly, making the firm experts on multi-billion-dollar cases. Reflecting on their journey, Dobson | DaVanzo takes pride in the decision to start small and maintain a supportive corporate culture. As Joan often said, “We punch above our weight” – striving to excel in all we do.

As the future course of Dobson | DaVanzo progresses, the firm is confident the successful business platform reflecting Joan’s core values will continue to thrive for many years to come. In addition, Dobson | DaVanzo remains centered on the belief that the founders’ vision of meaningful work and a strong corporate culture, born around the kitchen table, will continue to shape the company well into the future.

Dr. Joan Elizabeth DaVanzo, co-founder of Dobson | DaVanzo, passed away on February 25th, 2024.

Joan’s legacy lives on, particularly in the form of the firm’s corporate culture and pursuit of excellence.

Aside from founding the firm, Joan's career was marked by diverse achievements. Her early work on Wall Street and advanced degrees, including an MSW from New York University and a Ph.D. from UCLA as a Pew Fellow, showcased her broad interests and commitment to healthcare. Joan's pioneering work on intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, starting over 25 years ago, was instrumental in the legislative development underlying the IVIG Demonstration, which evaluated the feasibility and benefits of home IVIG therapy for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD). Her efforts in this demonstration led to the passing of legislation that secured Medicare coverage for IVIG home therapy, significantly improving patient care. Her core values are embedded in the firm’s ethos, reflected in her mentorship of young women and leadership roles in the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation and the American Wild Horse Campaign. Joan's passion for social work, health policy, and animal welfare, combined with her impactful career, leaves a legacy of meaningful, data-driven healthcare improvements and a corporate culture of excellence.