Erica Grate-Simmons graduated from MUSC's College of Nursing with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1996 and earned her MSN in Nursing Education in 2004. She was an adjunct clinical faculty member at MUSC's College of Nursing from 2003 - 2009 and has experience in each of the undergraduate courses. Ms. Grate-Simmons has a strong background in Pediatric Cardiology and Mental Health nursing. Since, June 2009, she has been working at Ralph Johnson VA Medical Center as a member of the VA Nursing Academic Partnership. She also is the coordinator for the VA Learning Opportunity Residency (VALOR) as well as the Student Nurse Technician (SNT) programs.