Dr. Deborah Grimes

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Deborah Grimes received the Barbara Royal Woman of Impact Award for 2020. The award, which was founded in 2018, is awarded to a woman whose contribution has had a significant impact on the advancement of women in Alabama.  Deborah is the former chief diversity officer for the UAB Health System and recently named Chief Diversity Officer for Ochsner Health System in New Orleans. She was named one of the most influential women in corporate American for 2019 by Savoy Magazine.  Originally trained as a nurse, she has held several leadership positions in her 33 years at UAB.  Grimes holds a bachelor’s degree from UAB’s School of Nursing, a master’s degree from the UAB School of Health Professionals and a Juris Doctor degree from the Birmingham School of Law. She is actively involved in many professional organizations.