Donna Buduson, RN
Donna Buduson is a dedicated Utilization Review Registered Nurse based in Rochester, New York, with more than two decades of experience in the nursing field. She began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse after earning her credential from the Isabella Graham Hart School of Nursing in 2007 and went on to complete her Associate of Arts and Sciences in Nursing at Bryant & Stratton College. Throughout her career, Donna has worked across a range of healthcare settings, including long-term care, assisted living, and managed care, before ultimately finding her passion in utilization management. Her clinical expertise and deep understanding of healthcare systems allow her to effectively evaluate medical necessity, ensure compliance with clinical guidelines, and advocate for appropriate, high-quality patient care.
In her current role with Toney Healthcare, Donna specializes in utilization management and prior authorization reviews, assessing cases involving elective procedures, advanced imaging, and critical treatments such as transplants and oncology care. She is known for her ability to apply evidence-based criteria alongside strong clinical judgment to support timely and accurate decision-making. Her career is marked by exceptional performance, including completing an intensive training program in a fraction of the expected time and becoming one of the first nurses in her organization to be granted remote work privileges due to her productivity and reliability. In addition to her utilization review expertise, she has demonstrated leadership in previous roles, serving as a nursing supervisor, training new staff, and contributing to quality improvement and compliance initiatives.
Donna’s professional journey is also defined by remarkable resilience and personal strength. While pursuing her RN degree, she was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and discovered she carries two rare genetic mutations with no known cure. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, she remained committed to her education and career, graduating and continuing to work while supporting patients facing similar diagnoses. Her personal experiences have deepened her empathy and strengthened her commitment to patient advocacy, particularly in ensuring timely access to life-saving treatments. Looking ahead, Donna plans to continue advancing her education while remaining a strong voice for patients navigating complex healthcare systems.
• Bryant & Stratton College - A.A.S.
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Featured in Bryan and Stratton Alumni Story
• Chairperson of Jameson Ritter Foundation Golf Tournament
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Prior Authorization Reviews
- Utilization Review (UR)
- Medical Necessity & Level-of-Care Determination
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about practicing as a utilization management nurse is advocating for patients while ensuring they receive the right care at the right time. My personal experience with a rare, chronic cancer allows me to connect with patients on a deeper level, and I find my work both meaningful and therapeutic, especially when supporting those awaiting critical treatments like chemotherapy, biopsies, or surgery. I was drawn to nursing because of the close, compassionate role nurses play—being present, offering reassurance, and guiding patients through some of their most difficult and uncertain moments.