Grinslade named distinguished alumna of Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

The award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to nursing and the community and who demonstrate extraordinary dedication and commitment to nursing service, research and/or education.

Grinslade originally had her sights set on medical school, but, due to financial barriers, her father encouraged her to pursue nursing to save for medical school in the future. That was not to come to fruition, though – she developed an unshakable passion for nursing that has driven her remarkable career.

Grinslade earned her nursing diploma from Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri, beginning her career as a staff nurse in that same hospital where she cut her teeth in nursing school. A few years later, Grinslade headed to Southourn Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois, earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing, a Master of Science in education, and later her MS in nursing with a medical-surgical specialty. Grinslade earned her PhD in nursing science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

During her time in Illinois, Grinslade worked as a nursing instructor; she was also an education director, adjunct faculty member, and professor, as well as a program director, assistant dean and clinical professor at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing.

In collaboration with other UB SON faculty members, Millennium Collaborative Care and Greater Buffalo United Ministries, Grinslade has coordinated many Million Hearts^® health screenings in the Buffalo area, enabling students to help promote the health and well-being of city residents with limited access to health care. Students also develop practical service experience and greater cultural sensitivity.

Grinslade is also a member of African American Health Disparities Task Force, a group that aims to eliminate health disparities among African Americans in Buffalo. You can read more about the group on Millennium Collaborative Care’s website.

Grinslade is also a veteran of the United States Navy Nurse Corps, having achieve the rank of lieutenant commander during her 17 years of service. You can read more about her time in service here.

We are so very proud to have her in our ranks at the University at Buffalo.

This is just a glimpse into Grinslade’s journey. To learn more about her truly inspiring path to and through the nursing profession, please view the video created by Barnes-Jewish College.

-Sarah Goldthrite