Dr. Violanda I. Grigorescu, MD, MSPH, stands as a deeply accomplished leader whose multidimensional career spans clinical medicine, public health, biomedical informatics, maternal and child health, and national health data strategy. With more than four decades of progressive experience across international, state, and federal sectors, she has shaped healthcare policies, developed robust epidemiological systems, and led groundbreaking initiatives that have had lasting impact on population health in the United States and beyond.
Most recently, Dr. Grigorescu served as Branch Chief and Senior Biomedical Informatics Supervisor at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). There, she directed the Applied Clinical Information Branch, overseeing a diverse team of 30 professionals and guiding the successful implementation of the Center for Clinical Observational Investigations (CCOI). Her leadership was instrumental in integrating AI, machine learning, FHIR standards, and advanced analytics into public health research systems, including partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs and private entities under the OS-PCORTF initiative.
Prior to her NIH tenure, she was a Senior Health Scientist at the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There, she led multiple national-level maternal health and COVID-19 data initiatives, including the creation of the Collaboration on Data for Evidence (CoDE) and the Maternal Health Consortium. Under her leadership, the Longitudinal Maternal & Child Health Information for Research FHIR Implementation Guide was rapidly developed and published—setting a new benchmark in digital maternal health research standards.
Her long-standing role at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further established her as a visionary in public health informatics. As Branch Chief in the Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance and previously in the Division of Reproductive Health, Dr. Grigorescu led enterprise-wide initiatives such as the CDC Data Hub and had significant contributions to improving national surveillance systems and surveys. She championed systems redesign, workforce development, and strategic partnerships with states and federal agencies, earning her numerous accolades including CDC’s Director Award for Public Health Impact and several “on the spot” awards for exceptional leadership.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Grigorescu was the Director of the Division of Genomics, Perinatal Health and Chronic Disease Epidemiology at the Michigan Department of Community Health. There, she launched pivotal programs in genomics, maternal health, chronic disease surveillance, and newborn screening, while securing numerous federal grants. Her foundational role in developing statewide surveillance systems for infertility and assisted reproductive technologies, and her work linking health data systems, showcased her keen ability to translate science into actionable policy and practice.
Dr. Grigorescu also boasts a rich academic and international portfolio. She served as an adjunct assistant professor at Emory University and Michigan State University, a founding member and president of the Romanian Association of Embryology and Human Reproduction (ACCES), and a WHO scientific working group member for Eastern and Central Europe. As the founder of ACCES, she was instrumental in organizing Romania’s first international workshop on fertility and sterility and publishing the association journal. During her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility in Sheffield, England, she developed a novel ovarian stimulation protocol for unexplained infertility that became the basis of her doctoral thesis and was adopted by the Sheffield Fertility Center.
A Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology and a long-time member of esteemed organizations including ACOG, APHA, ASRM, and HIMSS, Dr. Grigorescu’s professional influence extends to journal editorial boards, scientific review panels, and advisory committees. Her intellectual contributions include first-author publications, blogs in Health Affairs and HealthcareITNews, and federal reports that shape national discourse on maternal and child health.
Now retired from the federal government, Dr. Grigorescu remains passionately engaged and is open to full-time or part-time opportunities where she can apply her extensive expertise in clinical science, health policy, biomedical informatics, and systems leadership to continue making an impact. Her legacy is one of vision, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a tireless pursuit of equity and innovation in health systems across the globe.
Character
Violanda Grigorescu is a deeply principled leader whose career reflects unwavering dedication to improving public health systems, fostering equity, and advancing clinical and epidemiological science across national and global landscapes. Her compassionate and ethical approach has been a cornerstone of her leadership in both clinical and federal public service roles.
Knowledge
With over four decades of expertise spanning obstetrics and gynecology, public health, epidemiology, biomedical informatics, and maternal health research, Dr. Grigorescu brings unparalleled depth and interdisciplinary knowledge to every initiative she leads. Her extensive academic background and federal leadership experience uniquely position her to navigate complex challenges and create impactful, evidence-based solutions.
Strategic
Dr. Grigorescu has consistently demonstrated the ability to design and lead forward-thinking strategies that transform data infrastructure, health surveillance systems, and research frameworks at state and federal levels. She excels in building and managing high-performing teams, forging multi-agency collaborations, and implementing initiatives that drive long-term, systemic improvements in health outcomes.
Communication
A persuasive and articulate communicator, Dr. Grigorescu has authored pivotal publications, led national consortia, and effectively translated scientific insights into policy and practice. Her collaborative leadership style and ability to engage stakeholders across sectors have made her a trusted advisor and respected voice in public health and medical communities.
