Abstract
The field of source plasma collection and plasma derived therapies mourns the loss of a visionary and exceptional leader, Dr Marilyn Rosa-Bray, who passed away June 11, 2023. Dr Rosa-Bray's legacy resonates not only in her remarkable professional achievements but also in the lives she touched with her boundless compassion and unwavering commitment to source plasma donors and bettering patient care.
A native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Dr Rosa-Bray's remarkable journey began with her magna cum laude graduation from Colegio Nuestra Sra. del Carmen High School, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Universidad de Puerto Rico. She continued at Universidad de Puerto Rico Medical School, graduating cum laude. Following her residency in Michigan and later, after moving to Seattle, at Virginia Mason, she went on to impact countless lives as a practicing physician at Valley Medical Center in Newcastle, WA.
Her journey continued at Grifols, where she started as a Plasma Collection Center Medical Director, gradually ascending to ultimately become the Chief Medical Officer and Sr Vice President of Global Plasma & Regulatory Affairs. Dr Rosa-Bray's vision and dedication were instrumental in building a robust physician network supporting Grifols plasma donor centers in the United States, while setting new standards for donor health and safety. For many years, she was a dedicated member of the PPTA Medical Policy Task Force, most recently as its chair.
She was also a long-time board member of the Grifols US Academy of Plasmapheresis, an accredited institution dedicated to lifelong learning opportunities for Grifols employees in the field of plasma science. Moreover, she was a strong advocate of research having contributed as an author to several peer reviewed publications in the area of plasma donor health and safety.1–4
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Dr Rosa-Bray was awarded the prestigious Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association's Robert W. Reilly Award in 2020. Her legacy will forever inspire and guide those who continue her noble mission of advancing health and donor and patient safety.
As we mourn the loss of a visionary in our field, let us remember Dr Marilyn Rosa-Bray for her enduring legacy of compassion, dedication, and leadership. Her impact on the plasma industry, donor safety and well-being, her colleagues, and the lives of those she touched directly and indirectly was immeasurable. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
