Prof. Emeritus William Grimes Named Recipient of 2023 Dan Martin Award
“Always keep the ‘care’ in health care”
By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 22, 2023) — Professor Emeritus William Grimes, D.Min, APRN, PA, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Dan Martin Award for Lifetime Contribution to Rural Health in Kentucky by the Kentucky Rural Health Association.
As a professor in Physician Assistant Studies, Grimes was known for his legacy of compassionate care as both an educator and clinician.
“My experience and work is in health science, but my attitude is that health care is a ministry,” Grimes said. “It’s caring for people in a different kind of way.”
This calling led Grimes to co-found the New Hope Free Clinic in Owingsville, Ky. According to Grimes, a burden for many patients stems from the attitude that business and payment in the medical profession is paramount, rather than care for the patient being the most essential factor.
Born and raised in Chicago, Grimes moved to Kentucky in 1976. He holds multiple degrees, including two associates, one in nursing and one in science; a B.S. in Science; B.H.S. in Health Science from the College of Health Sciences; a master’s in pastoral studies; and a Doctor of Ministry in health care ministry.
Grimes attributes his experience as a clinician, and with New Hope, as his most helpful asset as an educator.
“One of the things I always stress to my students is that we must be people who truly care,” he said. “What does care mean? For me, it means I treat patients with dignity and want what is best for them. I do everything I can to help them come to a better health and better life. It’s important for my students and all health care providers to remember that we must always keep the ‘care’ in health care.”
He said being named recipient of the award was a humbling honor.
“I know so many others who are deserving of such an award, and many are working in rural Kentucky,” he said. “I accept it for all of them and myself and thank the Association for their work in this area.”
After 27 years working for the primary care system, Grimes left to teach full-time at the Physician Assistant Program at Morehead State University.
“Today I look around the area and I find that there are many PAs who graduated locally are now working in this area,” he said. “That is real progress and that is why we thank the Kentucky Rural Health Association, St. Claire Medical Center, Morehead State University and the College of Health Sciences at the University of Kentucky. Remember: Always keep the ‘care’ in health care.”
In April 2018, he was inducted into the College of Health Sciences Alumni Hall of Fame.
Since 2003, the Kentucky Rural Health Association has presented an individual with an award for lifetime contributions to rural health in Kentucky. The award is named for its first recipient, Dr. Dan Martin of the Trover Foundation in Madisonville.
The Dan Martin Award is given to someone who has provided many years of service to rural health, whether in patient care, administration, health-professions education, health administration, health promotion or public advocacy.
“Dr. Grimes has a long career of service as a dual nurse practitioner/physician assistant, health educator and minister,” Virginia Valentin, DrPH, PA-C and Chair of UK’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies, wrote in her nominating letter. “His passion for improving the health care of the underserved is seen in all his work and inspired countless students. As an educator for over a decade he personally mentored and educated the next generation of rural providers.
“Upon retirement in 2009, Dr. Grimes continued to teach, mentor and train students at the New Hope Free Clinic,” she continued. “It is with tremendous respect, gratitude and joy we formally nominate Bill Grimes as an ideal recipient of the 2023 KRHA Dan Martin Award.”
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