James Donadio, M.D. (I ’64, NEPH ’66)

March 12, 1935 – February 14, 2024

James (Jim) Vincent Donadio, Jr., MD passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester on February 14, 2024, surrounded by his family. Jim is survived by his loving wife Faye Ann; sister Virginia (Ginny); children Kathy (Roger), Lisa (Robert), Jim III (Allison) and Joe (Anne); grandchildren Tyler, Tanner, Trey, Jake, William, Jimmy IV (Laura), Michael, Alex and Ryan: and extended family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents James V. Donadio Sr. and Bonita (Bonnie) Frede Donadio, stepsons Bruce Hanson and Jeffrey Hanson.

Jim led a life of service. He was a nephrologist in the Mayo Clinic Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, in Rochester Minnesota for thirty-two years. He also served as chairman of the Division of Nephrology for nine of those years and rose to the teaching rank of Professor of Medicine in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Dr. Donadio completed his internal medicine and Nephrology (Kidney Disease Specialty) Residency at Mayo Clinic after earning his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and completing an internship at Marion County General Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. The completion of his medical residency in 1966 coincided with his military draft into the United States Army Medical Corps. He served his country for two years including 11 months in Vietnam and a year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. His book “Memoirs of a Physician Serving in the War” captures his experiences there. 

He provided tried and true bedside care with the latest that medicine had to offer. In addition to patient care, he designed and carried out research that defined the protocols used worldwide in the treatment of kidney disease. He was a world- renowned speaker in the field of Nephrology.

Family will be hosting a Funeral Mass at St Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, MN on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation prior to the mass from 10-11:00 a.m.

Graveside burial service will be held in the spring at Saint Joachim Catholic Cemetery in Plainview, MN.