Gail Carol Grisetti

Celebration of Life of Gail Carol Grisetti

Gail C. Grisetti, PT, EdD passed away peacefully at her home in Hampton, Virginia, on March 14, 2023. Born in Missouri in 1946, Gail moved with her parents August "Gus" and Rose Grisetti to Gus's childhood home in the Bronx, NY when she was a toddler. She remained there throughout childhood, becoming a New Yorker through and through. She graduated from Riverdale Country Day School in 1964 and went on to earn a BA in Dance from Bard College in 1968. Always fascinated with movement, Gail worked various jobs while taking science classes, and earned a Certificate in Physical Therapy 1977 from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. She practiced PT in an acute care hospital in NYC, quickly rising to become department Director. She continued her studies earning a Doctorate in Health Education from Columbia University's Teacher's College in 1989.

Gail left her beloved NYC and moved to Hampton, VA in 1986 to join the faculty teaching Physical Therapy at Old Dominion University and to marry her friend from High School, Abdul Jamaludeen. She taught in the ODU Physical Therapy program for 32 years and made a significant impact on the nationally recognized program, particularly with her expertise and interest in Community and International Health. Countless students passed through her classroom and were enriched in their practices as a result.

In her professional life Dr. Grisetti achieved the rank of Associate Professor and expressed her passion to help others by volunteering with several international organizations bringing her expertise in education to train physical therapists worldwide. She played a key role in developing an undergraduate program in physical therapy at Catholic University in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She also participated in the development of a curriculum for the education of an interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation professionals in the treatment of children with Autism in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Her scholarly work has been presented at international prosthetic conferences including France, Panama, Guatemala, Ecuador, the Philippines, and India. Dr. Grisetti was also a member of the first volunteer group to arrive in Haiti after the earthquake of 2010 to help assist the amputee population.

Merging her interests in education and international service, Dr. Grisetti developed a collaboration between ODU and the NGO Physicians for Peace to create a study abroad program. ODU PT students traveled with Dr. Grisetti to the Dominican Republic to study health care, culture, and to participate in health service, and Dominican PTs came to ODU to participate in laboratory classes and to interact with American students and faculty. Awards for her accomplishments include the ODU Provost's Award for International Leadership (2005), ODU Community Service Award (2010), Physicians for Peace Medical Diplomat Award (2012), and Honorary Advisor to the School of Rehabilitation, Catholica University, Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic (2013).

In addition to teaching and traveling, Gail pursued an interest in learning and studying dance, meditation and yoga. She was faithful to practicing mindfulness and movement and encouraged others to do the same.

Gail is survived by her husband, Abdul Hamid Jamaludeen, MD, and his children, as well as long-time friends Bob, Martha, Mary, David and Beth among others, who hold her memory dear. She wishes to thank Alice and the members of the Hidenwood Chair Yoga group for their spirit of sharing and friendship. An interment of ashes will be private. To honor her memory please consider a donation to her most recent international project with Mission Gait in the Solomon Islands. Details can be found here https://www.missiongait.org/donate.