Dr. Pardo is a healthcare educator and former faculty member and is currently serving as the continuing education administrator for the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. She is actively involved in the nursing profession and has received numerous awards, including the Sigma Theta Tau International Medical Award for Excellence in Nursing Journalism and the Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Mu Chapter, Award of Distinction for Excellence in Nursing Education. Dr. Pardo has developed continuing education courses and study modules for nursing students and professional nurses on such topics as mental health, HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, managed care, and ethics.

Dona Pardo earned her master's degree in nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and holds a doctorate in higher education from the University of Arizona.