About the Director Emeritus
Patricia A. Grady, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the Director Emeritus of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She served as director of the Institute from 1995-2018. Her impact on the discipline of nursing science has been profound, leading the Institute through many years of increasing scientific, political, and financial support for nursing research, helping NINR-supported scientists become leaders of research teams that include nurses, physicians, and other interdisciplinary scientists. Her vision and guidance helped to make nursing science, with its unique clinical emphasis, an essential component of the NIH and a critical link among the laboratory, clinic, patients, and families.
Dr. Grady’s commitment to supporting the best of nursing science across the life span led to important advances in wellness and prevention, self-management of chronic conditions, symptom science, advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, and caregiving and palliative care support. In both extramural and intramural contexts, Dr. Grady guided the NINR and its staff as new ideas were explored, and practices were enhanced to improve the health and wellness in the U.S. and beyond.
Dr. Grady’s leadership and guidance steered nursing research towards new scientific areas, including palliative and end-of-life care, genomic research, symptom science, and precision health. Her strategic vision positioned nursing equally with other research disciplines at NIH and helped to raise the level of scholarship of nursing researchers. Under her watch, NINR developed and maintained a strong commitment to supporting research training for the next generation of nurse scientists, the large majority of whom are women, by devoting more resources to extramural training awards (as a percentage of budget) than nearly any other NIH Institute or Center.
Dr. Grady’s contributions beyond NINR extend to the many trans-NIH groups that she led or co-led during her tenure at NIH, including the Pain Consortium, the Public Trust Initiative, the Science of Behavior Change Initiative, the Office of Emergency Care Research Steering Committee, and the Roadmap Initiative on Interdisciplinary Research Teams of the Future, among many others. Prior to her tenure as Director of NINR, Dr. Grady served, first as a program director, and then both as Deputy Director, and Acting Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at NIH.
Dr. Grady earned her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, then pursued her graduate studies at the University of Maryland, earning her master’s degree at the School of Nursing and a doctorate in physiology from the School of Medicine. Her research areas included hypertension, cerebrovascular stress, and cerebral edema. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and is a fellow of the American Stroke Association. Dr. Grady is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, the American Academy of Nursing, and the American Neurological Association.
Dr. Grady has been recognized with many prestigious honors and awards-including numerous honorary degrees-for her leadership and scientific accomplishments. She was named a Visionary Pioneer by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and received the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s 2015 Policy Luminary Award. Dr. Grady has also been honored with the Centennial Achievement Medal from Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Sciences; the Second Century Award for Excellence in Health Care from the Columbia University School of Nursing; the Discover Award from the Arizona State University’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation; and the Sterling Award from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing.
A recipient of the NIH Merit Award and the Public Health Service Superior Service Award for her exceptional leadership, Dr. Grady has been named among the 100 Most Powerful Women in Washington by Washingtonian Magazine.
- Statement on the retirement of Dr. Patricia A. Grady from Dr. Francis Collins (08/21/18)
- News & Notes article: Patricia A. Grady to Retire as NINR Director
- NIH Record article: NINR Director Grady Retires After 30-Year NIH Career
Selected Interviews and Articles
The Science of Caregiving Bringing Voices Together: Summary of National Institute of Nursing Research's 2017 Summit - Dr. Grady co-authored a Nursing Outlook editorial summarizing the Summit and the role of research in addressing issues related to caregiving.
Building Sustainable Careers in Nursing Science: Scientific Innovations and Transdisciplinary Collaborations - Dr. Grady co-authored this editorial to provide an overview of the National Nursing Research Roundtable (NNRR) 2017 annual meeting, which was cohosted by NINR and AACN.
Advancing Palliative and End-of-Life Science in Cardiorespiratory Populations: The Contributions of Nursing Science - Dr. Grady authored this article in Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care on the role of nursing science to inform practice, promote health, and improve the lives of individuals across the lifespan who face the challenges of advanced cardiorespiratory disease.
Recommendations of Common Data Elements to Advance the Science of Self-Management of Chronic Conditions - Dr. Grady co-authored a Journal of Nursing Scholarship article on recommended common data elements for use in self-management research.
National Institute of Nursing Research Provides Palliative Care Support Materials for Patients, Families - A Q&A with Dr. Grady in HemOnc Today on NINR's Palliative Care: Conversations Matter® campaign.
The Spectrum of Caregiving in Palliative Care for Serious, Advanced, Rare Diseases: Key Issues and Research Directions - Dr. Grady co-authored a Journal of Palliative Medicine article on palliative care for individuals with rare diseases.
Nursing Science: Claiming the Future - Dr. Grady co-authored a Journal of Nursing Scholarship article on the future of nursing science.
Advancing Symptom Science Through Use of Common Data Elements - Dr. Grady co-authored a Journal of Nursing Scholarship article.
The NIH/NINR intramural research program and the development of the NIH Symptom Science Model - Dr. Grady and NINR Scientific Director Dr. Ann Cashion co-authored a Nursing Outlook article on the development of the NIH Symptom Science Model.
The Nexus of Practice, Research and Education for the Health of the Nation - Dr. Grady contributed an article to Nursing Education Perspectives
NINR commentary on the Idea Festival for Nursing Science Education - Dr. Grady authored a commentary for Nursing Outlook,
Nurses Know Best - Dr. Grady was quoted in a Nature article on the rise in nurse scientists worldwide, the varied paths to nursing research careers, and the quality of life benefits nursing science bring to patients.
A path forward for genomic nursing research - Dr. Grady co-authored an article in Research in Nursing & Health
The science of caregiver health - Dr. Grady co-authored an article in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship
Role of Nursing Research in Global Health - A Q&A with Dr. Grady in the Fogarty International Center's "Global Health Matters"
Nursing research plays critical role in global health - Fogarty International Center's "Global Health Matters" feature on NINR-supported global health research (pages 5 - 9)
A Pathway for the Future: An Update on NINR's Innovative Questions Initiative - Dr. Grady authored a guest editorial in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship
C-SPAN "Washington Journal" - Dr. Grady was interviewed on the public health impact of nursing science.
Self-management: a comprehensive approach to management of chronic conditions.- Dr. Grady co-authored an article in the American Journal of Public Health.
National Institute of Nursing Research Centers of Excellence: A logic model for sustainability, leveraging resources, and collaboration to accelerate cross-disciplinary science. - Dr. Grady co-authored an article in Nursing Outlook on the NINR Research Centers of Excellence program.
Advancing symptom science: Nurse researchers lead the way - Dr. Grady co-authored a Nursing Outlook article as part of the 2013 Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Conference, "Science of Symptom Management."
The 2014 National Nursing Research Roundtable: The science of caregiving - Dr. Grady co-authored a Nursing Outlook article on the 2014 National Nursing Research Roundtable with insights from Directors of NINR P20 and P30 research centers of excellence.
The Contributions and Challenges of NINR Centers: Perspectives of Directors - Dr. Grady co-authored a Research in Nursing & Health article.
Charting Future Directions in Nursing Research: NINR’s Innovative Questions Initiative - Dr. Grady authored an editorial in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship
Nurses move beyond patient bedside in research efforts - Dr. Grady was quoted in a Richmond Times-Dispatch story on nursing science in Virginia.
Palliative Care: Increasing the quality of life for patients and families - Dr. Grady was quoted in an NIH Medline Plus Magazine story on NINR's "Palliative Care: Conversations Matter™" campaign.
NIH makes palliative care more attainable for pediatric patients - Dr. Grady was interviewed by NIH News for a video on NINR's "Palliative Care: Conversations Matter™" campaign.
Caring for a Seriously Ill Child - Dr. Grady was quoted in an NIH News in Health on the NINR Pediatric Palliative Care campaign.
The 2013 National Nursing Research Roundtable: advancing the science of chronic illness self-management - Dr. Grady co-authored a Nursing Outllook article with past ANA president Karen Daley MPH, RN.
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Dr. Grady was quoted in an article on the NINR-supported eSMARTT program at Case Western Reserve University.
Chicago Tribune - Dr. Grady was quoted in an article on the NINR-supported BAILA program that helps Latino seniors overcome cultural barriers to exercise.
AARP Bulletin - Dr. Grady was quoted in an article on the shortage of primary care doctors.
Journal of Nursing Scholarship - Dr. Grady co-authored "A Blueprint for Genomic Nursing Science," a manuscript that appears in the 2013 Genomics Special Issue of the Journal of Nursing Scholarship.
Training and career development in palliative care and end-of-life research: opportunities for development in the U.S. - Dr. Grady co-authored a Journal of Pain & Symptom Management article.
Research in Gerontological Nursing - Dr. Grady co-authored a journal article titled "Advances in Nonpharmacological Interventions, 2011-2012," which builds on the NINR Strategic Plan's discussion of nursing interventions for vulnerable patient populations.
UCSF “Science of Caring” online magazine - Dr. Grady was interviewed by the University of California, San Francisco on the state of the palliative care field.
UCSF "Science of Caring" online magazine -- Dr. Grady and NINR-supported researchers were quoted in a feature story on the growing national interest in palliative care.
Applied Nursing Research - Dr. Grady authored an editorial titled "The National Institute of Nursing Research: Delivering on the Promise."
NIH Radio Interview - Dr. Grady discusses palliative care awareness as part of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.
ONS Connect - Dr. Grady Explains How Nursing Research Improves Patient Care
Heart & Lung - An editorial by Dr. Grady on the National Nursing Research Roundtable.
AACN "Syllabus" - 10 Questions with Dr. Grady (interview begins on page 4)
Nature Medicine - Dr. Grady is quoted on the increasing numbers of nurse scientists working as principal investigators in clinical trials.
The Lancet Neurology - Dr. Grady is interviewed on the importance of neurological nurse specialists in the United Kingdom.
Washingtonian Magazine - Dr. Grady was named one of "Washington's 100 Most Powerful Women" for 2011 for her leadership of NINR and increasing the recognition of the importance of nurses and nursing science in the delivery of heath care.
Oncology Times - Dr. Grady is quoted along with several scientific speakers from NINR's August 10-12, 2011 "Science of Compassion" Summit event on end-of-life and palliative care research.
Nursing Outlook - Dr. Grady's July 2011 article "Advancing the health of our aging population: A lead role for nursing science."
University of Maryland Nursing - Dr. Grady was profiled by the University of Maryland's School of Nursing alumni magazine for its Fall/Winter 2010 issue.
MedHunters.com/HealtheCareers.com - Dr. Grady discusses the shortage of nurse scientists and faculty, and gives advice on getting started in a research career
Nursing Outlook - An article by Dr. Grady, "Creating a healthier tomorrow through research, practice, and policy," commemorating NINR's 25th anniversary.
American Journal of Nursing - The October 2010 issues of the AJN features an article marking NINR's 25th anniversary. The story examines what nursing science has achieved to date and how new approaches must continue to evolve.
American Journal of Nursing Podcast - A conversation with Dr. Grady as NINR commemorates 25 years of nursing science at the NIH.
Nursing Outlook - An article by Dr. Grady on translational research and nursing science from the May/June 2010 issue of Nursing Outlook.
NurseConnect.com - Dr. Grady was one of "Four RNs Who Have Made a Difference" profiled by the site for National Nurses Week.
Health Care Horizons Magazine - Dr. Grady was profiled by Georgetown University's School of Nursing & Health Studies' alumni magazine.
Johns Hopkins Nursing Magazine - Dr. Grady discusses the unique role of nursing research and how to encourage the next generation of scientists. Spring 2010.
Nursing Outlook - Dr. Grady authored an article on the NINR Research Centers Program in Vol. 57, Number 2, issue of Nursing Outlook
MedlinePlus Magazine - Dr. Grady and NINR were featured in the Spring 2008 edition of MedlinePlus magazine. The article discussed NINR's role at NIH and in the health care landscape, while highlighting key research the Institute has funded.
Improving End of Life Care - J Palliat Med. 2005;8 Suppl 1:s1-3. Introduction: Papers from the National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference on Improving End-of-Life Care. NINR and the NIH Office of Medical Applications of Research, along with many co-sponsors, held an interdisciplinary State-of-the-Science Conference on Improving End-of-Life Care in October 2005.
A Successful Kickoff - Nursing Outlook, February 2006. A description of the conference that began the year-long celebration of NINR’s 20th anniversary.
NINR Working Group on Optimizing pregnancy outcomes in minority populations - Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005 May;192(5 Suppl):S1-2.
Biological researchers: building nursing science - Nursing Outlook, March-April 2005. A survey of nurse investigators funded by the NIH who carry out biological research.
NINR Director & others review nursing and the genomic revolution - Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 37(2):98-101, 2005.
Guest Commentary in the NCI Cancer Bulletin - May 25, 2004
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