Donna Grindle

“Privacy and data breaches are more than just a nuisance; they can ruin lives! Knowing I am doing something to help protect patients and businesses from data theft is incredibly rewarding.”

Over thirty years is a long time to do anything, but that’s how long Donna Grindle has been helping those in the healthcare profession with their IT, security, and privacy needs. After spending her early years in software development, she progressed through the ranks to management and executive positions throughout the 1990s. She struck out on her own in 1998, specializing in consulting and technology support for a variety of businesses in the medical industry.

As founder and CEO of Kardon, Donna’s extensive experience is focused on developing and maintaining effective privacy and security programs for a variety of businesses, with a particular focus on those that must be HIPAA-compliant. A Certified in HealthCare Privacy Compliance (CHCP) professional by the Compliance Certification Board, she educates clients and peers alike about the complexities of healthcare privacy compliance as a sought-out speaker, trainer and podcaster.

Additionally, Donna is an influential force in the industry as well, serving on the 405(d) Task Group which works within the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) Joint Cyber Security Working Group (JCWG) to develop and encourage adoption of recommendations and guidance for policy, regulatory and market-driven strategies to facilitate collective mitigation of cybersecurity threats that impact patient safety, security and privacy and consequently national confidence in the health care system. Most recently, this was the group that helped define the recommendations that are listed as a Recognized Security Practice in the new amendment to the HITECH Act proposed under HR 7898. This bill was signed into law in early January 2021.

She is also an active member and sponsor of many healthcare and compliance-related groups including HIMSS, AHIMA, HCCA, GMGMA, DMA, SOMSA, NGMGMA and MGMGMA. You can download her speaker profile here.

Get to Know Donna Grindle

Why did you choose your career?
I love making technical things work. I just think it is fun for some reason. Well, as long as it isn’t a printer, I don’t like printers.

Which do you prefer – pirates, ninjas or zombies?
Pirates (the Jimmy Buffett kind, that is…)

What did you want to be when you were 5?
A professional tree climber

Would you ever consider going bungee jumping?
No, nope, no, not gonna do it.

What are some little-known facts about you?
I played the flute, oboe, and alto saxophone in high school band. I was also band captain.