NIH 1998 Almanac/The Organization/NINR/
National Institute of Nursing Research: Biographical Sketch of NINR Director
Patricia A. Grady, Ph.D., R.N.
Dr. Grady became the institute’s second permanent director on April 3, 1995. She
earned her undergraduate degreee in nursing from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
She continued her graduate education at the University of Maryland receiving a
master’s degree in nursing from the School of Nursing and a doctorate in physiology
from the School of Medicine. She held several academic positions and served concurrently
on the faculties of the University of Maryland Schools of Nursing and Medicine.
An internationally recognized stroke researcher, her scientific focus has primarily
been in stroke, with emphasis on arterial stenosis and cerebral ischemia. She has authored
or coauthored numerous articles and papers on hypertension, cerebrovascular permeability,
vascular stress, and cerebral edema. She is a member of the editorial board of Stroke,
and has served as a reviewer for the journal, Science.
In 1988, Dr. Grady joined NINDS as an extramural research program administrator in the
areas of stroke and brain imaging. Two years later, she served on the NIH Task Force for
Medical Rehabilitation Research, which established the first long-range agenda for the
field of medical rehabilitation research. In 1992, she assumed the responsibilities of
NINDS assistant director. From 1993 to 1995, she was deputy director and acting director
of NINDS. Recently Dr. Grady was appointed to the Clinical Center Board of Governors.
Dr. Grady is a member of several scientific organizations, including the Society for
Neuroscience, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Neurological
Association. She is also a fellow of the American Heart Association Stroke Council.
She has been recognized with several prestigious honors and awards for her leadership
and scientific accomplishments. She was elected a fellow of the American Academy of
Nursing in 1996. That same year she received the honorary degree of doctor of public
service from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Grady also presented the first Rozella M. Schlotfeld distinguished lecture in 1996
at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. The
Council on Cardiovascular Nurses of the American Heart Association selected her their 1995
Excellence in Nursing Lecturer. In 1995 she received a PHS Superior Service Award for her
exceptional leadership as NINDS acting director.
Directors of NINR
