Carol Joyce Gray, first dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (1983-1994), died April 18. Dr. Gray served as dean during a time in which the school established its PhD program and became the nation’s first Peace Corps Fellows/USA Program for nursing.
Born in in Philadelphia, PA, on June 27, 1934, Dr. Gray was a registered nurse with a doctorate in education from Columbia University. She also attained the rank of captain in the United States Air Force, spending most of her military career in Oklahoma and Germany. She was a professor and chairman of the nursing department at the University of New Hampshire as well as associate dean of the school of nursing at the University of Maine.
From 1975 to 1977, Dr. Gray worked at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, serving first as curriculum coordinator of undergraduate affairs and later as associate dean of academic affairs. From 1978 to 1981, she served as associate dean of academic affairs for the graduate and undergraduate programs at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing. In 1981, Dr. Gray was named director of the Division of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University.
JHSON Dean Sarah Szanton announced the death in a message to the school:
As so beautifully stated in her obituary, Dr. Gray “moved decisively, holding to the vision that nursing education at Johns Hopkins University must conform with the mission of the university and must support a philosophy of academic excellence and exemplary humane practice. Carol excelled in her leadership and was highly regarded by both the university establishment and the many students who attended courses designed by her to carry them on into their careers after graduation.”
Dr. Gray helped set the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing on a foundation of success, and we will be forever grateful for her life and leadership.