Diane Marolla ’87 is passionate about healthcare. For more than 30 years she has worked to improve the industry, formerly with United Health Group, and now as a healthcare consultant and advocate, and an independently licensed social worker.

"Bryant instills ethics and invests in students. ... Who better to lead the charge in healthcare?"

"The changes I have seen in the industry throughout my career are amazing," she says. "It's become beyond complicated. Both consumers and healthcare professionals are having a lot of difficulty understanding and navigating the system. That's ultimately why I became an independent consultant. I'm going to do my part through my business to advocate for quality, affordable health care for every American. But I really look to the future and to the individuals who will recognize where policies need improvement and force change."

That future focus is the impetus behind the bequest intention Marolla has made to Bryant University. When she learned Bryant is developing new programs to prepare students for leadership in healthcare, she immediately recognized her opportunity to "pay it forward." She has pledged the full value of her estate to the University for the purpose of establishing an endowed scholarship in her name that will benefit students who want to study or work in healthcare, healthcare management, or healthcare policy. 

Marolla considers the bequest her sign of hope for the future – where she envisions a "harmonious formula" that combines financially affordable healthcare with good clinical outcomes. "Look at how well Bryant prepares students to work in corporate America or to be entrepreneurs. Bryant instills ethics and invests in students. They develop the ability to look at all sides of a problem objectively and create metric-based and human-oriented solutions. Who better to lead the charge in healthcare?"

"I am so proud of and grateful to Bryant," adds Marolla. "My degree opened up so many doors for me. This has always been a dream of mine. Now I'm able to make it come true and I'm really happy about that. Every day I get my inspiration from somebody. Hopefully my choice to do this will inspire somebody else. Bryant really is a special place."