GRIT Award Winner 2024: Mary Jordan

Mary Jordan is the 2024 winner of the GRIT Provider Award for the state of Minnesota. 

The GRIT Awards are sponsored by the national School-Based Health Alliance and extended in each state. Candidates are nominated by their peers, and the awards are extended yearly at the National School-Based Health Alliance Convention in Washington D.C. These awards are designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate genuine (G), resilient (R), innovative (I), and tenacious (T) qualities in their work to promote school-based health care.

The GRIT Awards are open to nominees from the state in four categories: providers, administrators, advocates, and champions. These individuals work in school-based health centers, providing primary care, behavioral, oral, vision, nutrition, telepresenter services, or provide leadership, support, and oversight to the SBHC team and partners. 

 Mary’s nominators describe her and her work in this way:

Mary Jordan exemplifies dedication and passion in her role as a provider in a school-based health center (SBHC). Her unwavering commitment to the well-being of adolescents is truly commendable. Mary's tireless efforts to support and connect with her patients, as well as her involvement in special events like MN CRUSH, showcase her genuine care and compassion.

Moreover, Mary's leadership within the SBHC team is invaluable. She not only provides exemplary care but also offers guidance, support, and oversight to her colleagues. Her advocacy for adolescent health, demonstrated through her involvement in the MN SBHA from its grassroots origins, highlights her dedication to improving healthcare access and outcomes for young people.

Mary Jordan's contributions to the SBHC and her advocacy for adolescent health make her a deserving nominee for the GRIT recognition. Her ability to thrive in a fast-paced and challenging school environment while consistently prioritizing the needs of her patients is truly admirable.