Sentara’s Christy Grabus wins award recognizing inspiring women

Christy Grabus, chief nursing officer of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has been named one of Prince William Living’s 2025 Influential Women.

With more than 30 years of nursing experience, Grabus is recognized as a visionary leader who takes a collaborative approach to defining excellence in the professional field and advancing quality patient outcomes. She has been described as a “nurses nurse” who is a leader, mentor, and role model who works to ensure every team member feels valued and heard.

Serving as Chief Nursing Officer at SNVMC since 2017, Grabus championed efforts that led the organization to earn the prestigious Magnet with Distinction™ accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in August 2024.

Grabus focuses not only on promoting excellence and professional growth within Sentara, but she helped create a partnership between SNMVC and George Mason University’s School of Nursing with clinical colleagues serving as adjunct faculty and clinical preceptors. She also established the Sentara Patient Care Technician program to address workforce shortages that exist throughout the field.

“Successful leadership requires a cohesive approach to meet the needs of the growing community and our accomplishments reflect our organization’s dedication to patient safety and quality patient outcomes, process structures which are backed by evidence-based practice, and a focus on team building and organization advancement,” said Grabus.

“I am honored and grateful for this recognition that I proudly share with all my colleagues throughout Sentara,” Grabus noted.

Each year, Prince William Living – a regional publication celebrating the people and places of Greater Prince William County – invites the public to nominate local women who inspire others through their vision, professional achievements, and charitable contributions. The winners are announced in the March issue of Prince William Living in honor of Women’s History Month.

“These women are redefining leadership, innovation, and service in our community,” said Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes. “Whether advocating for change, mentoring future leaders, increasing awareness of critical issues, empowering women in their industries, or breaking barriers in their professions, each of these honorees is making a lasting impact. Their influence is both powerful and inspiring.”

A panel of judges, comprised of former award recipients, carefully selected these remarkable women from a highly competitive pool of nominees.

SNVMC President Jeff Joyner remarked, “Christy exemplifies the innovation and collaboration necessary for successful leadership that is grounded in the ability to roll up her sleeves and get into the work that happens by the bedside every single moment here at Sentara. I have always known that our team is compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled and this award honoring Christy’s leadership only validates the amazing work done throughout our medical campus and the system.”

As shared in the PWL article, “Christy is a mentor, role model, and fearless leader who empowers nurses to work at the top of their licensure,” said Dawn Byrne, SNVMC Director of Patient Care Services. “She creates an inclusive, compassionate environment where every team member feels valued.”

The March issue of Prince William Living features in-depth profiles of each Influential Women Award winner, along with a list of runners-up. Copies are available at distribution locations throughout the Prince William area and online at https://princewilliamliving.com.