Celebrating Minnesota’s 2026 G.R.I.T. Award Winners
Each year, the G.R.I.T. Awards recognize individuals whose dedication, leadership, and commitment are making a meaningful difference in school-based health care. These outstanding leaders demonstrate what it means to be genuine, resilient, innovative, and tenacious in their work to improve the health and well-being of Minnesota’s youth and communities.
This year, the Minnesota School-Based Health Alliance is proud to recognize five exceptional individuals whose work is helping strengthen school-based health care across our state.
Administrator: Donnavie “Donna” Aviles
As Clinic Administrator at Health Commons at Pond, Donnavie “Donna” Aviles helps create a welcoming, patient-centered environment while strengthening partnerships with Bloomington Public Schools, Bloomington Public Health, and other community organizations. From connecting families with food and clothing to serving as a Spanish interpreter for patients, Donna continually finds ways to make care more accessible and supportive. She also co-facilitates Pond Clinic’s Teen Advisory Board, helping elevate youth voices while bringing warmth, collaboration, and dedication to everything she does.
Advocate: Hafsa Musa
Hafsa Musa has been instrumental in launching and establishing school-based health care in the Moorhead School District through the Spud Care Clinic. Her commitment to students goes beyond providing care — she works to ensure each young person’s health care experience is smooth, supportive, and empowering. Together with her colleagues and community partners, Hafsa has helped build a strong foundation for school-based health care in Moorhead and expand access for the students and families it serves.
Champion: Stacie O’Leary
As Health Services Coordinator and Lead School Nurse for West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area Schools, Stacie O’Leary has dedicated her career to building stronger systems that support the health of students and staff. Her leadership has helped expand access to care, strengthen immunization efforts, and improve school health programs, while her mentorship ensures school health staff feel supported and empowered. With decades of nursing and public health experience, Stacie continues to strengthen the connection between health and education throughout her district.
Provider: Teena Pflum
For more than 20 years, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Teena Pflum has provided compassionate care to adolescents through Health Start School Based Clinics in St. Paul, as part of a career spanning more than 35 years. She approaches each young person with the goal of helping them feel heard, valued, and cared for, while also serving as a trusted source of wisdom and support for her colleagues. Teena describes working in adolescent health as a gift, and her enduring commitment to learning, growing, and bringing hope to young people embodies the spirit of G.R.I.T.
Advocate: Tina Knudson-Docken
Tina Knudson-Docken has played an essential role in the growth and success of the Spud Care Clinic during its first two years serving Moorhead Area Public Schools. Her hard work and commitment have helped establish a strong school-based health care program focused on making each student’s experience supportive, accessible, and empowering. Through her dedication to the clinic and the community it serves, Tina is helping build a stronger model of care for Moorhead students and families.
These five award recipients demonstrate the extraordinary impact individuals can have when they bring dedication, creativity, compassion, and persistence to their work. From building new school-based health programs and strengthening community partnerships to mentoring colleagues and providing compassionate care directly to young people, their contributions are helping create healthier students and stronger communities across Minnesota.
Congratulations again to our 2026 Minnesota G.R.I.T. Award winners!