Dr. Joe Grisham passed away on January 29th, 2025. Dr. Grisham was the Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from 1973-1999. He oversaw the creation of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory medicine, along with Bill McLendon, conducted impactful NIH research in liver pathology, and was a recipient of the American Society of Investigative Pathology’s highest honor, the Gold-Headed Cane Award.
Dr. Joe Grisham, former Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, passed away on January 29th, 2025 in his home state of Tennessee.
Dr. Grisham’s remarkable career spanned decades, and his impact on both his field and those around him is immeasurable. Serving as the Chair of the Department of Pathology from 1973 to 1999, he played a pivotal role in shaping the department into what it is today. Alongside Dr. Bill McLendon, Dr. Grisham was instrumental in the creation of the modern Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. His leadership not only helped forge a path forward for the department but also set the stage for generations of students, staff, and faculty who would follow in his footsteps.
A respected and prolific researcher, Dr. Grisham made significant contributions to the field of liver pathology, conducting NIH-funded research that advanced our understanding of the liver regeneration and the study of stem cells. His work earned him numerous awards and honors over the years, including the prestigious UNC Norma Berryhill Lectureship. In 2002, he was awarded the Gold-Headed Cane Award, the highest honor from the American Society of Investigative Pathology, a recognition of his profound impact on the field.
Dr. Grisham’s contributions went far beyond research and academic leadership. His legacy is also one of mentorship and personal guidance. One of the most memorable stories from his career comes from 1987 when Dr. David Walker, a former faculty member in the department, was preparing to leave UNC to become the Chair of the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston. Seeking advice for his new role, Dr. Walker asked Dr. Grisham for his top ten tips for being a successful department chair. Dr. Grisham’s response was simple, but powerful: “There’s only one. Put the effort to develop your faculty members’ career above all else.” This philosophy of selflessness, of putting others’ growth and success above personal ambition, is one that Dr. Grisham lived by every day.
Dr. Grisham leaves behind a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. His dedication to excellence in research, mentorship, and service to his community serves as a model for us all. His memory will live on in the countless individuals he mentored, the path he helped carve for the department, and the profound impact he had on the field of pathology.
For those who wish to learn more about Dr. Grisham’s many achievements, please take a moment to read a summary of his contributions to the field here and his reflections upon receiving the Jonathan B. Howes Lifetime Achievement Award from the UNC Retired Faculty Association here.