PA College Magazine - Spring 2023 - 12

EVENTS &
ALUMNI
NEWS
Alumni
Award
2023 Distinguished Alumni
Award - Career Achievement
Award
In recognition of 40 years of dedicated service as a nurse
educator and leader and on the eve of her June 2023
retirement from PA College, Cheryl Vitacco Grab '77,
EdD, MSN, RN, Dean of Nursing has received the 2023
Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement.
With this recognition, the alumni of PA College pay tribute
to the many ways that Dr. Grab has shaped our institution
and generations of successful nurses.
" Earning my nursing diploma at
Lancaster General Hospital School
of Nursing was my most challenging
educational journey, even compared to
my doctoral program, and yet it was also
the most rewarding to me, " Dr. Grab
shares. " I had excellent faculty that made
our textbook learning come alive and
took the time to know each student. "
After earning her BSN degree from St.
Louis University in 1981, Dr. Grab
worked in the ICU and began an adjunct
instructor position at the LGH School of
Nursing. When she was offered a fulltime
faculty position contingent on pursuing her master's
degree, Grab enrolled at Villanova University, where she
earned her MSN in 1986. She continued to serve as nursing
faculty and course coordinator at the now PA College until
2008, when President Mary Grace Simcox asked her to take
12
PACOLLEGE.EDU
Number of students who graduated
from a nursing program at PA College
during Grab's 40-year tenure
a leadership role as Dean of Nursing. " President Simcox
has been such a great mentor and role model to me, " says
Dr. Grab. " A sense of fairness was pivotal to her decision
making and that always stayed with me - what is best for
the faculty, what is best for the students. " Dr. Grab earned
her EdD degree from Immaculata University in 2019.
Looking back on her career, Dr. Grab is proud of the
growth of the nursing division and inspired by the faculty
she has taught alongside and led as Dean. " Being a nurse
educator is the most rewarding profession, " Dr. Grab
concludes. " Seeing the light bulb go on for students. The
moment they feel empowered. When they're no longer
afraid to have a difficult conversation with a patient or
family member. Or when they quietly hold
the hand of a dying patient, knowing they're
making a difference - it's so gratifying to
know I was a part of that. "
In retirement, Dr. Grab plans to spend time
with her 92-year-old mother and travel
(anywhere with a beach!) with her husband.
She hopes to come back and work with
students again - perhaps as a volunteer tutor,
because " I do so enjoy being with students! "
http://www.PACOLLEGE.EDU
PA College Magazine - Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PA College Magazine - Spring 2023
