Crystal Grys, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE

About Me

The healthcare problems of the 21st century demand innovative, systems-based solutions. As a DNP-trained nurse, I blend expertise in finance, operations, and strategy with clinical leadership to translate evidence into practice, analyze data, manage projects and teams, and drive success in complex environments.

After earning my MSN in Leadership and Healthcare Systems, I completed a DNP with an Executive Leadership Specialty. My mission is to optimize value in healthcare systems through initiatives that enhance nurse retention, advance health equity, and innovate care delivery. My leadership and project experience have led nursing and physician executives to seek my expertise—as a Credentialed Trainer for EHR transitions, Leadership, Informatics, Translational Research, and a founding member of the workgroup that brought DAISY recognition to our campus.

I have successfully led cross-functional projects across diverse practice areas. I developed comprehensive toolkits for two types of nurse visits—integrating documentation templates, patient and staff educational materials, reimbursement strategies, and clear messaging for clinical leaders. I then ensured successful implementation by identifying key stakeholders, building buy-in, and mapping out essential go-live steps. Most recently, I addressed the gap in enculturation resulting from virtual onboarding as our campus doubled in size, creating an Enculturation Toolkit that is on track for campus-wide adoption.

In my current roles, I drive transformative, measurable results. As Founder and Principal Consultant of Leading Innovating Transforming Health, PLLC (d/b/a LIT Health), I’m spearheading strategic initiatives—including a partnership with the FDA on the Redefining Lyme project—to boost awareness, rebuild community trust, and develop cutting-edge data capture solutions for chronic infections. At Mayo Clinic as Grants Administrator for Research and Nursing Professional Development, I managed a $1.7M portfolio and recovered $2.1M in unreimbursed funds from a previous funding period by establishing rigorous reporting processes that achieved 100% on-time compliance. Also at Mayo Clinic, as an RN Quality Specialist, I developed an innovative data capture tool for Coccidioidomycosis under the FDA’s CERSI program, facilitating our understanding of disease progression.

These achievements underscore my commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and measurable improvements in healthcare systems.

My Publications

Grys, C. Digital health: The next evolution of healthcare delivery. Nursing2022. PMID: 36129505

Grys, C. Evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and research: A visual model. Nursing2022. PMID: 36259907

Grys, C. Stop hurting the healers. Arizona Capitol Times. https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2023/01/18/stop-hurting-the-healers/

Grys, C, et al. Implementation of an enculturation toolkit for new nurses during unit onboarding. Journal of Nursing Administration. PMID: 38512084

Grys, T & Grys, C. A sample of the future: Digital health and near-patient testing. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health. PMID: 38013892