Often far away from the soothing hand of a parent, sick students seek a gentle spirit to nurse them back to health. For the last 30 years, TU students have depended on Jan Grabow, director of the Alexander Health Center, for that helping hand. Known for her compassionate, patient and nurturing nature, Grabow is a healing dose of medicine for ill students. She can address a wide range of ailments, and she does it with the kindness of a doting mom and the competence of an expert nurse.
"I appreciated Nurse Grabow taking care of me for four years," said Kate Mitchener (BA '08). "I feel so fortunate to have had such a great nurse stand by my side when I was sick. TU is so lucky to have such a lovely, sweet woman take care of its students. Fabulous nurses are few and far between, and she should know how much she is appreciated."
After three decades of service, Grabow is being recognized as Mrs. Homecoming this year. And the honor couldn't come at a more climactic time; Grabow retires from her role at the health center in September.
"I can't think of a better way to leave than with this honor," she said. "I'm still speechless and stunned that I received the award. I am truly humbled."
Grabow received a nursing degree from the University of North Dakota and credentials as a college health nurse from the American Nursing Association. She began working at TU as a part-time employee in 1977 and gradually worked her way to a full time staff member, eventually becoming health center director. She was a central figure in the creation a first-rate health center, continuously building upon her successes to offer students the services they need to be healthy and educated in wellness. Grabow played a key role in extending health center hours to include summer semesters. She also helped open the women's clinic, a specialty focus of the Alexander Health Center, which today offers a full range of services for women, such as exams, screenings and counseling.
"It's exciting to see the clinic come alive and serve the females on campus. We really needed a clinic like this, and with help from our students, we were able to not only make it happen, but were able to give women much needed resources," Grabow said.
Her primary responsibilities at the Alexander Health Center include supervision of medical clinics, patient care and treatment, and health education. But Grabow often goes far beyond the call of duty. Her life's work has been to promote the essentials of healthy living to students.
Grabow successfully applied to bring an AmeriCorps member to the University to perform free HIV testing and AIDS education. As advisor to the Student Health Advisory Board, she assisted in launching a breast cancer awareness campaign that included distributing self-exam shower cards to all women on campus - teaching them how to screen for possible signs of the disease. Grabow was also instrumental in providing first aid kits to incoming freshmen, administering low cost flu shots to students, performing melanoma screenings and enlisting student participation in the American Heart Walk.
"It's rewarding to know you've made a difference with the students. It means so much to receive notes and letters from them after they've gone on to start careers. It lets me know that I've done my job as a nurse and as a mentor," she said.
Grabow's proud that her three daughters - Megan Grabow Cordle (BSBA '94), Melissa Grabow Davis (BS '98) and Michelle Grabow Shewey (BS '97, MS '99) - all graduated from the University.
"I love TU. It's been a great career, and I'm definitely going to miss it," Grabow said. "I'll always remain an avid Golden Hurricane sports fan, so you won't be seeing the last of me."