Dr. Joanne Gillis-Donovan, president and CEO of Melmark, is the Main Line Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit CEO of the Year.

The Chamber recognized Dr. Donovan for her compassionate leadership of Melmark’s staff, her visionary work with Melmark’s programs and for her outstanding commitment to the Main Line community.Dr. Donovan received the award at the Main Line Chamber’s recent Celebration of Business Leadership Luncheon.

Following the Chamber award ceremony Sen. Andrew Dinniman presented Dr. Donovan with a state citation of thanks.

Melmark is a private, not-for-profit provider of comprehensive residential, educational, vocational, and healthcare services for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, brain injury, other neurological and genetic disorders, and related challenging behaviors. Programs are offered in Berwyn and Andover, Mass.

Melmark’s Pennsylvania site in Berwyn recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in behavioral health care. The accreditation recognizes Melmark Pennsylvania’s dedication to continuous compliance with state-of-the-art standards.

Melmark’s choir, The Joybells, a hand bell choir comprised of adults with developmental disabilities sang the National Anthem for 40,000 fans and players at the July 13th Phillies game at Citizen Bank Park and in September will record a holiday CD at the Kimmel Center with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia .

The Melmark Charitable Foundation accepts donations from foundations and corporations to support its mission.  Recent supporters include Keystone Charities Fund, Accenture, Cephalon, Inc., Oracle Health Sciences, The Alfred I. DuPont Foundation, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Inc., Pilot Freight Services and TD Bank.