When Melissa Danielson, MS, passed away on June 20, 2024, she left more than the profound impact she had on public health statistics and her passionate advocacy for child development–she left a legacy of kindness and giving, passion for connection and love of life.
“When you met Melissa, you instantly liked her, and she instantly liked you,” said Mark Danielson, Melissa’s father.
Born in New York City to Susan and Mark Danielson, Melissa grew up in Mineola, New York. After earning degrees from the University of Virginia (UVA) and Emory University, Melissa spent 19 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she focused broadly on the epidemiology of children's mental health in the earlier years and then narrowed to more specific work on ADHD and Tourette syndrome. She co-authored an incredible 81 publications on child development and related public health topics.
Throughout her time at CDC, Melissa was a positive force on her team. “She was realistic, but she was really positive and always had a good way of looking at things,” said Rebecca Bitsko, PhD, a close friend and colleague. “She wanted us to keep moving forward, to keep going.”
A believer in the power of data to improve public health, Melissa was deeply interested in making data accessible. She excelled at identifying clear, scientifically rigorous data analyses from even the most complicated topics. Lara Robinson, PhD, MPH, another close friend and colleague of Melissa’s, saw Melissa’s passion and dedication to their shared work over a decade spent working together.
“She truly loved data. It was a part of everything she did,” explained Robinson. "She really wanted to get data out for public health impact, and she wanted it to be as joyful for everyone as it was for her.”
But she didn’t limit herself to only complicated problems. One day, Melissa and her teammate Joe Holbrook decided they’d start charting M&M colors from the packs on Melissa's desk. Her colleagues joined in—compiling the information and adding it to a spreadsheet. Then, during Bring Your Child to Work Day, the team decided to use the M&M data to teach the kids about statistics—a teaching opportunity that left an impact. One child who had attended that day later told Melissa’s mother, Susan Danielson, that he had done a full project on M&M statistics at his school, inspired by Melissa.
“She got kids—future statisticians—interested in numbers,” said Susan Danielson. “You never know what is going to change somebody else’s life. It could be something as mundane as counting M&M colors and charting them.”
At Melissa’s memorial service, Susan brought M&Ms for everyone to enjoy. It was exactly the kind of understated joy and passion that Melissa brought to her work and her life.
Melissa Danielson and friends at a University of Virginia football game
Melissa Danielson and Jon Ceane during the Peachtree 10k race
Melissa Danielson and Anna Kroncke
“With someone as modest and humble as Melissa, she wouldn’t even consider that she had a legacy,” said Mark Danielson, Melissa’s father. “She just wanted to contribute as much as she could.”
At the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) Annual Conference in 2024, Melissa was asked to sit on a keynote panel with then APSARD President Ann Childress, M.D. Melissa introduced herself, saying that she had followed Dr. Childress’ work. Dr. Childress’ response: “You’re THE Melissa Danielson? I’ve been citing your work for years—everything you put out is amazing.” She and other ADHD colleagues were awestruck to meet Melissa and grateful for her contributions to the ADHD scientific community.
While professionally Melissa was proud that her research enhanced the world’s knowledge about ADHD, her personal mission and joy was bringing the people in her life together—be they colleagues, UVA alumni or friends from kickball, bowling, volleyball or softball. She organized events, outings and get-togethers to unite the people around her, often centered around food, another of her passions.
“She had all these groups of friends,” said Mark. “But she also brought a lot of them together. Those people are still in touch with each other. The first year after Melissa passed, they all went out to dinner to celebrate her birthday.”
Those who love her honor that legacy of remembrance in many other ways, as well. Every year, her family, friends and colleagues honor Melissa’s memory by convening in Atlanta to run an annual 5K.
“There are people who have met and are married because of Melissa,” explained Mark. “I don't think she knew how many people she had impacted in her life.”
Melissa Danielson and a few of her coworkers from CDC
Melissa Danielson presented a video abstract about ADHD diagnosis and treatment from the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
Among her former colleagues, Melissa’s legacy is one not only of friendship, but of collaboration and mentorship. She published with almost 300 different co-authors, always happy to contribute her knowledge to help others succeed. “We tried to put a statistic [in Melissa’s CDC memorial] about how many people she mentored, but we couldn’t capture that number,” said Robinson. “Everyone who worked with her felt like she had mentored them. Everyone left an interaction with her having learned something.”
Still today, the impact of her knowledge and guidance is missed, Robinson said. “There’s not a day that goes by where we don’t say, ‘I wish I could ask Melissa. She could help me understand it in a way that was both helpful, gentle and the best, most thoughtful use of the data.”
When Melissa passed, she included the CDC Foundation in her estate plan. “She just wanted to help people,” said Susan Danielson.
We are truly honored, through Melissa’s gift, to make that hope a reality.
Melissa’s decision to remember the CDC Foundation through her estate is a reminder of how thoughtful planning allows our most important values to continue shaping the world long after we’re gone. By including a philanthropic gift in her plans, she extended the spirit of connection, service and curiosity that guided her life, ensuring the work she believed in would endure.
If you would like more information on helping you accomplish your charitable and financial goals through a planned gift to the CDC Foundation, please visit our Planned Giving webpages or contact Sean Allen, sallen@cdcfoundation.org or via phone at 404.476.0205.
