Nikki Grandison joined One Brooklyn Health Brookdale in 2016 as a patient service associate (PSA) in the emergency department. At the time, pursuing higher education felt impossible. With a full-time job, four children and two of them under the age of 10, school simply wasn’t on her radar. But everything changed remarkably when she met Dr. Sandra Scott, a leader who saw potential in her from the start.
Before becoming interim CEO of One Brooklyn Health in 2024, Dr. Scott served as Executive Director of Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and Chair of OBH’s Department of Emergency Medicine. When she stepped into the role of Executive Director, she became the first woman, physician, and person of color to lead the hospital in its 100-year history.
Soon after Dr. Scott’s arrival, Nikki reached out via email and encouraged her to meet with the ER staff—a gesture that sparked a lasting professional relationship grounded in trust and respect. “She’s the first African American, the first woman, and the first physician to lead Brookdale,” Nikki reflected. “And she’s still so down-to-earth, smart and grounded.”
Over the years, Nikki continued bringing ideas and concerns to Dr. Scott, both in person and over email. One of their earliest collaborations led to a major improvement in the ER: relocating the PSA workstation. The original layout had staff seated with their backs to patients, and the space was often overcrowded with residents. Nikki proposed a fix—moving the PSA station to a more functional spot in the pediatric ER.
“It actually happened,” she said. “I brought it to her attention, we worked on it together, and today if you go in the ER at OBH Brookdale, that’s where the PSAs sit.”
Dr. Scott noticed Nikki’s insight early on. “I saw that she had a strong mind, determination, and was extremely intelligent,” she said.
In 2019, following the birth of Nikki’s fourth child, she moved to the pediatric specialty department to better align with her schedule. Later, Nikki joined the respiratory therapy team. Around that time, Dr. Scott offered a life-changing suggestion: “You know, Nikki, you’re so smart, you should think about getting your degree.”
That encouragement, paired with her husband’s support, gave Nikki the push she needed. Though she had originally planned to pursue an associate degree, she began to envision
something bigger. “When I was doing my associate’s degree, we had to choose someone influential to write about,” Nikki recalled. “I wrote about Dr. Scott.”
Between 2021 and 2025, Nikki went on to earn her associate’s, bachelor’s, and ultimately, her master’s degree in business administration. When it came time to apply to grad school, Dr. Scott wrote a letter of recommendation that helped secure her admission. Throughout the journey, Dr. Scott remained a steady presence. “She would remind me that I could do it—and I believed her,” Nikki said. “That kind of encouragement changes everything.”
In May 2025, following a national search, Dr. Sandra Scott was officially named CEO of One Brooklyn Health. Now overseeing a workforce of more than 7,000 employees, she leads with a focus on expanding access to high-quality, integrated care across Central and Eastern Brooklyn.
For Nikki, the appointment was both inspiring and deeply personal. “Sometimes our children don’t see themselves as being able to accomplish anything,” she said. “She’s such an inspiration to a lot of people, so I’m so proud of her”.
That inspiration came full circle when Dr. Scott attended Nikki’s MBA graduation at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. Without hesitation, Dr. Scott accepted the request to attend Nikki’s graduation. “To have her there meant the world to me,” Nikki said. “She didn’t just send a card—she showed up. She stayed until I walked across the stage, then left to make a board meeting. That meant everything.”
Dr. Scott reflected Nikki’s growth with pride. “Despite being a mother of four and balancing challenges at home, Nikki earned her degrees,” she said. “We stayed in touch over the years, and I continued to mentor her as she progressed—from having no advanced degree to earning an MBA. I knew it was important to be there and celebrate her success.”
From Brooklyn to New Jersey, Dr. Scott made it her mission to support the potential she always saw in Nikki. Dr. Scott explementary actions showed that leadership isn’t just about strategy; it’s about visibly investing in your team and showcasing representation. At One Brooklyn Health, we believe in bringing value to our patients’ lives through exceptional care and adding tremendous value to our staff. We offer diverse career opportunities for individuals passionate about making a difference. For job opportunities, visit us at onebrooklynhealth.org.
About One Brooklyn Health
One Brooklyn Health (OBH)—comprising Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Interfaith Medical Center, and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center—is nationally recognized for high-quality care in heart failure, stroke, and diabetes, among other acute care.
The system includes 12 ambulatory care centers, two nursing homes, an assisted and independent living facility, a transitional housing program, an urgent care center, and a retail pharmacy.
OBH’s mission is to expand access to quality medical care for Brooklyn’s most vulnerable communities and beyond. For more information, please visit their website.
Photos and text courtesy of One Brooklyn Health System
