Karen A. Grimley, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE - Panelist

Karen A. Grimley, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE is the Chief Nurse Executive for UCLA Health.  She is a senior leader at UCLA Health and the School of Nursing and is responsible for nursing practice and care delivery across UCLA Health’s four hospitals and ambulatory care network.  With UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital designated as Magnet® hospitals, she works with nursing leadership to maintain the highest level of nursing excellence as a standard throughout UCLA Health. 

She began her career after earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing, from Saint Anselm College School of Nursing.  She followed that with a Master of Business Administration from Anna Maria College.  Because of her passion for the quality of care shared by nurse and patient in the acute care setting, Karen completed her PhD at the Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Boca Raton, Florida. Additionally, Karen serves as assistant dean for the UCLA School of Nursing.  She is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, a member of Sigma Theta Tau, International, the American Nurses Association, the California Association of Nurse Leaders, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives. When she is not modeling nurse leadership or mentoring others, Karen enjoys culinary interests, spending time with her multi-generational family and the beauty of Florida and Southern California beaches.