DANBURY— Donna Krebs, president of RK Manufacturing, has donated $1.5 million to Danbury Hospital to establish a surgical fellowship program in memory of her late husband George “Ron” Krebs, who founded RK.
George Krebs died at 51 in 2003 just six months after his lung cancer diagnosis. He was cared for by doctors at Danbury Hospital, which is owned by Nuvance Health.
“This gift is more than a donation; it’s a tribute to Ron’s life and his enduring gratitude to Danbury Hospital,” Donna Krebs said. “I’ve seen firsthand the incredible care and dedication of the hospital’s staff, and I hope this fellowship will inspire the next generation of surgeons and elevate the care they provide to our community.”
During his time at Danbury Hospital, Ron Krebs was cared for by Dr. Vincent Rella. Before Ron passed, he shared a wish with his wife Donna:
“If you make it with this company and ever have the means to give back, please donate to Danbury Hospital — I’m so grateful for all they’ve done,” he said.
Donna honored Ron’s final wish by jumping into running the company while raising their children. Prior to her husband’s passing, she returned to school, earned her degree at Western Connecticut State University and balanced full-time work with raising two children, all with the support of her late mother, a nurse at Danbury Hospital. Under Donna’s leadership, RK Manufacturing has thrived as a designer and manufacturer of medical equipment, including suture processing devices and has become a beacon of innovation in Danbury.
This gift reflects a deep personal connection to the hospital that supported Ron through his final days and will have a lasting impact on the future of surgical care in the region, according to a statement from the hospital.
“Donna’s generosity embodies the spirit of philanthropy and community connection,” said Dr. Daniel Labow, system chair of surgical services for Nuvance Health and chair of surgery at Danbury Hospital. “Her gift will help us shape the future of surgical excellence, and we are profoundly grateful for her unwavering support.”
The surgical fellowship will provide advanced training opportunities for surgeons, allowing them to hone their skills while addressing the evolving healthcare needs of the community.
Donna’s relationship with Danbury Hospital grew stronger during a recognition breakfast in September, where she connected with Danbury Hospital President Sharon Adams and Dr. Labow, also the Carmen L. and Peter Buck Endowed Chair of Surgery at Nuvance Health.
Their shared vision for advancing surgical education and fostering collaboration inspired Donna to solidify her gift.
This is not the first time Donna has honored her loved ones through philanthropy. In memory of her husband and her mother, who passed away from breast cancer, she contributed to Danbury Hospital’s Praxair Cancer Center. Recently, the hospital’s Praxair Garage was formally named the “Krebs Garage” in recognition of her enduring support.
Donna remains humble about her success, attributing it to the dedication of her employees.
“My team at RK Manufacturing has made it possible for me to give back in such a meaningful way,” she said. “This fellowship is just one way of showing gratitude for the care that helped my family during our most challenging times.”
