Caryl P. Griffin, M.S.N., M.Div.

Center Affiliate

Caryl Griffin is the President of the Elizabeth R Griffin Foundation. The ERGF was established in 1999 in response to the death of her daughter, Beth, in 1997, due to a laboratory acquired infection, Macacine Herpesvirus1, following an ocular exposure. Rev. Griffin is an ordained Elder in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church appointed to the Elizabeth R. Griffin Research Foundation, working in the field of Global Health Security, seeking to bring experts from multiple disciplines and multilateral perspectives together to forge partnerships and innovative solutions, addressing some of the world’s most pressing infectious disease dilemmas as well as biological safety and security issues. Much of Rev. Griffin’s work outside the US has been in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia in the areas of Public Health, Occupational Health, and Biosafety/Biosecurity. She currently serves on the advisory board of CRDF Global.

Prior to ordination, Rev. Griffin practiced nursing for 35 years, in hospitals, clinics, public health, and hospital administration. She created a national healthcare consulting business for doctors’ offices and hospitals, consulting across the U.S., helping develop more effective methods and processes of caring for patients. She has created and led national leadership/ management workshops and retreats for hospitals and institutions in the US and abroad. Previous work in Ministry includes serving as a Pastor at First Broad Street UMC in Kingsport, TN, and Director of Wesley Leadership Institute developing continuing education for 700 pastors in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 1983, Rev. Griffin proposed and developed the ongoing Leadership Kingsport Program for the development of effective community leaders. Her special interests are in the areas of global health, spiritual development, biosafety and security, systems development, Leadership, as well as life and stress management. She has published articles in the areas of biosafety, play therapy for children, and public health nursing. 

Caryl received a B.S. in Nursing from University of Tennessee College of Nursing in Memphis, a Master of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, and a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.