By Pareasa Rahimi
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Adjunct Assistant Professor Grace Grau, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC, AACC (DNP 2015), is President-Elect of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
"I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected as the newly-elected President-Elect of NAHN. Words cannot fully express the gratitude I feel for the trust and confidence placed in me," Grau said. "Our organization is rich with many talented members from every rank of nursing and affiliate disciplines serving across so many sectors. NAHN is a powerhouse, and I look forward to many collaborative opportunities as we embark on this new chapter."
Grau has served on the NAHN Board of Directors as Chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee since 2022 and is the founding president of the Alabama Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. She was on the planning committee for the organization's inaugural Health Policy Summit in 2023 and 2024. Two key initiatives were completed under Grau's leadership, including the development of the position statement, "Urging Precise Spanish Terminology for Identifying Nurse Practitioners," and a proposal requesting the issuance of a United States Postal Service stamp commemorating NAHN's founder, Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, PhD, RN, ND, FAAN. If approved, Murillo-Rhode would be the first Hispanic nurse to be commemorated by the USPS. During Grau's tenure, NAHN was also awarded two $10,000 climate and health subgrants to educate and increase nursing engagement in climate advocacy.
Grau has been recognized for her leadership contributions and positive impact on the Hispanic community. In 2023, she received the NAHN President's Award, and in 2021, she received the Janie Menchaca Wilson Leadership Award.
"My vision for NAHN is one of unity, growth and empowerment," Grau said. "I am committed to fostering an environment where every member feels valued, supported and heard, and will continue to work tirelessly to expand our reach, strengthen our influence, create opportunities for professional development and leadership and show the indelible mark NAHN has made and will continue to make."
Grau retired from full-time teaching in the School as an Assistant Professor in December 2021. In addition to her work as a faculty member, she is an advocate for women's heart health, is a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner and prior to her retirement, also held an appointment with UAB Medicine as a nurse practitioner in the Department of Structural Heart/Interventional Cardiology. She currently has a volunteer practice at Community of Hope Health Clinic in Pelham and serves on the National Nursing Committee of the American Red Cross, the Steering Committee of Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama and on the Alabama Board of Nursing Nominating Committee.
Grau will begin her two-year term in July.
