Grady’s Decision was created to honor Graden “Grady” Vincent Smith and to pass forward the prayer, encouragement and practical support his family received during their NICU journey. This page preserves the people, stories and community support published on the original website.
Executive Team and Board of Directors
Executive Team
- Ryan Smith — Founder & President. After the birth of premature twins in 2008 and the loss of his son Grady 52 hours later, Ryan was overwhelmed by the love and support received during the family’s NICU journey. He created Grady’s Decision to pay that support forward. His vision and leadership helped grow the organization into a volunteer-led 501(c)(3).
- Jean Burns — Vice President
- Laura Mangus — Secretary
Board Members
- Erika Pluta
- Katelyn Goodenow
- Danielle Sculley
- Charles Lawrence
- Renee Martin
Board information reflects the published organization roster. Please contact Grady’s Decision with roster updates.
Grady’s Field
In July 2008, Ryan and Katrina Smith of Erie, Pennsylvania, welcomed twins Gianna and Grady more than three months prematurely. Grady lived only 52 hours. As they coped with that loss, the Smiths looked for a way to direct the love and support they had received toward a cause that would memorialize their son.
“My son lived for 52 hours, but I want his 52 hours on earth to have some sort of eternal impact.” — Ryan Smith
Knowing that Athletes in Action needed additional funding to build its stadium, the Smiths invited supporters to contribute toward the venue surrounding the field that bears the name “Grady’s Field.” Teams from across the country have used the facility. Grady’s Field is located at 1197 South Detroit Street in Xenia, Ohio, as part of the Athletes in Action Sports Complex and Retreat Center.
Grady’s Poem
Grady’s Decision
I was born not long ago
The birth was not the norm
They called it a c-section
I wasn’t ready to be born.My lungs — not good, my breath was weak
I had to fight for life
But Jesus came to visit me
In the wee hours of the night.“I came to encourage you.”
The Savior leaned so close.
His breath was sweet and lovely
His presence was “the most!”I was tired of fighting.
His face held such sweet love
“Please take me with you, Jesus,
To that joy-filled place above.”I’ll wait for my family there
By waters purest blue
I’ll cheer them on to win the fight
And come to be there too.I’ll love them with a greater love —
The kind you give to me,
And they will walk gold streets with us
Throughout eternity.So I went Home with Jesus
We’re waiting there, ’tis true.
Don’t be so sad, Mom and Dad
We’re waiting there for you.I’ll show you things you’ve never seen
He’ll dress you in blinding white
He’ll grant you joy you’ve never known
In a city pure and bright.We’ll eat from the Tree of Life
And sing songs to His Name
We’ll be together forevermore
With no guiltiness or shame.Don’t feel like you’ve missed so much
’Cause I’m not there with you
Just because I’m absent there
From what you’re going through.I play in the River of Life.
I see angels on golden wing.
You’ll know someday, sweet Mom and Dad,
That we’ve not missed a thing.We’re waiting for you,
and love you more than you can know…
Grady and Jesus
Family Testimonials
Richard, Dottie, Megan and Cody Swavey
“At first I felt like no one understood how we felt, but many families were in the NICU experiencing similar trials. A nurse gave me a pamphlet on Grady’s Decision. I went home that night and looked up the website. Tears began to pour — finally, a family brave enough to share their story. The next day I called Ryan and talked with him for quite a while. He truly inspired me and, for the first time, I felt we were not alone.
Grady’s Decision helped us with a gas card so we could see our son daily without worrying whether we had enough gas to get to Erie. Cody is now five months old. He still wears a monitor at night but is breathing on his own and getting stronger each day. He is a fighter; he’s our angel. Grady’s Decision has a big purpose — to touch the lives of others. Thank you for your continued support.”
Elizabeth, Justin Greer and Family
“Our son was born 10 weeks early. It was unexpected and scary, especially after losing a son at just three months old. Our baby was transported to Saint Vincent’s NICU. Hospital staff and friends told us about Grady’s Decision. Reading their story brought tears of joy for how they help parents and tears of sorrow from knowing the feeling of losing a son.
Ryan has cared so much about our son and his updates. We were blessed with gas cards, a parking pass, diapers, wipes, a Mamaroo and emotional support. Austin is a fighter. We could not have done this without the help, thoughts and prayers. Thank you all so much.”
Randi, Jason, Alyson and Isabella Reed
“Alyson and Isabella were born two months early on October 30, 2010. Bella spent 29 days in the NICU at Saint Vincent and Aly spent 40 days there. Ryan and his family helped us with food cards, a parking pass and gas cards. You have no idea how much you helped us.
Aly and Bella celebrated their first birthday and were doing wonderfully. It was reassuring to know another family understood. Ryan helped explain that blood transfusions can be a normal NICU procedure for very small babies. You truly are amazing, and I hope you continue helping families with premature babies for years to come.”
Have an inspiring story to share?
Our Sponsors
We gratefully recognize the supporters listed on the original Grady’s Decision website.
Platinum Sponsors
- Bayfront Eyecare
- Bonnells Collision
- Bruce Shorts VFW Titusville
- Caltagarone Equipment
- Coldwell Banker, Developac — DuBois
- CWP
- Double R&W Discounts
- Falls Creek Eagles Auxiliary
- Falls Creek Eagles FOE 965
- Flock Services
- Good, Baumgratz, Stanton, Murray and Mohney Families
- Granite Expressions
- Hemke, Hemke, Haverilla and Torrell Families
- Hitching Post
- Jackson National Life Insurance Company
- Lilja Corporation
- Lindemuth Family in Honor of Caitlynn
- Lindemuth Family in Remembrance of Caralynn
- Mack Zimmerman Trucking
- Meadows Frozen Custard DuBois
- Moore Propane
- Mosaic Wealth Consulting
- O’Bryon Family Medicine
- Off-Road Express Erie
- Peoples Auto Body
- Radlinx
- Red Knights
- Sam Koons General Contracting
- Seth Bowker Welding
- Staar Companies
- The Grandkids Ice Cream Shack
- Yamrick’s Outdoor Solutions
Gold Sponsors
- American Legion Titusville
- Anchored in Hope
- Assetmark
- The Bellamauro
- Burns Manufacturing
- Celebrate Every Step
- Crytser Family
- David Corry Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram
- Erie Eye Clinic
- Grandkids Ice Cream
- Guardian Healthcare
- Hop Leaf Tea
- Kness Insurance
- John and Valerie Kness
- Krise Kustom Programming
- Lincoln Retirement
- Lindemuth Laser Etching
- Meadows Frozen Custard
- Michael and Valerie Armanini
- Michele and Travis Hemke
- Mosaic Wealth Consulting
- One Last Breath
- Penn State Behrend Athletics
- Port Erie Plastics
- Rhonda Heffner and Family
- Robert L. Javens, Financial Advisor
- Sundeep Ram, DO
- Susquehanna Marble & Granite
- Vir Terra Landscaping
- Walmart Distribution Center
Silver Sponsors
- Anchored in Hope Counseling
- CayRod Band
- Chad Slimmer State Farm
- Dr. Jonathan Cole, DMD
- Dr. Kevin and Rebecca Paisley
- Dr. Michael and Merry Inzana
- Dutch Pantry
- Frank Varischetti
- Gibson and Berdis Family in Honor of Scarlett
- Glasstown Pizzeria
- Goodenow Family
- Henninger Dental
- Jen and Chris Buskirk
- Kurt and Linda Sundberg
- Marquette Bank
- MegaRock
- Michael and Jean Kolash
- O’Bryon Eye Associates
- Penn Highlands Healthcare
- Pulaski Club
- S&T Bank
- Stoltz of DuBois
- Sammons Retirement Solutions
- Symmco, Inc.
- Thompson Family
- Tri-County Church of God
- Vision Creative Solutions
- Watt Lumber
- The Winery at Wilcox
Bronze Sponsors
- Allure Spa — DuBois Dermatology
- Bob Martin State Farm
- Brookville Veterinary Hospital
- Charles W. Johnson, Guardian Planners
- DAHS Interact Club
- Dave Rossi Jewelers
- Domtar
- Dr. Amanda and Brad Chamberlin
- DuBois Harley Davidson
- Erie Beer
- GKN Sinter Metals
- Glenwood Pet Hospital
- Henninger Dental
- Historic Square Agency
- Humes Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge
- Jamie Stephens
- Jefferson County Housing Authority
- KeyBank
- Marnie’s Salon, Spa and Boutique
- Matt Grill — Nationwide
- Miknis Brothers Fly-Tying
- Natalie Braddock, State Farm
- Neon Exposure
- Olympic Club DuBois
- P.L. Qualls and Co.
- Penn Highlands Healthcare DuBois
- Peoples Auto Body
- Presogna & Co. P.C.
- Pro-Market Realty, Inc.
- Sarvey Insurance Brookville
- Sharon Shattenberg and Sue McCollough
- Taco Bell
- Walmart St. Mary’s
- West End Studio
- Winery at Wilcox
To update a sponsor listing or discuss sponsorship,
Board of Directors
Meet the volunteer leaders who guide Grady’s Decision.
Ryan Smith
Founder & President
Ryan Smith is the president and founder of Grady’s Decision. After the birth of premature twins in 2008, and the loss of his son Grady 52 hours later, Ryan was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support he received during his NICU journey. He created an organization to pay it forward to others going through similar experiences. Ryan’s vision and leadership have taken this organization from its infancy to a completely volunteer 501(c)(3) organization.
Jean Burns
Vice President
Jean is a NICU nurse with more than 30 years of experience and is the Director of the NICU at UPMC Hamot. She first met the Smith family when she took care of Grady and Gianna and has been involved with Grady’s Decision for many years. She has seen firsthand how many NICU families are touched by the organization’s support and compassion.
Laura Mangus
Secretary
Laura served on the Love Team for several years before becoming a board member in 2022 and head of the Erie Love Team. “Coordinating the families’ connection to Grady’s and hearing each of their stories is an honor,” she says. Laura lives in Fairview with her husband Matthew, their children Brayden, Preston and Raelyn, and their dog Soliel. She is a veterinarian who works as a Public Health Veterinarian for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Erika Pluta
Board Member
Erika is a social worker at Saint Vincent Hospital on the maternity floor. She was introduced to Grady’s Decision while working in the NICU and saw firsthand how the organization provides for families at their toughest times. She is the mother of two boys and is passionate about the mission.
Katelyn Goodenow
Board Member
Katelyn became part of the Grady’s Decision family in 2018 when her son Cade was flown to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh within 24 hours of birth and spent 80 days in the NICU. Grady’s was there for her family. She joined the Love Team in 2020 and the board in 2022. Katelyn is a wife and mother and works in mental health as a behavior consultant and mobile therapist.
Danielle Sculley
Board Member
Danielle joined the board in 2022 after several years as a Love Team member. She has chaired Bags for Babies bingo and co-chaired the Miracles & Mile Walk and Family Carnival. Danielle and her husband Kevin have three children—Ryan and twins Madilyn and Owen—who were all Grady’s babies due to complicated gestations and premature births. She is a full-time speech-language pathologist and Birth–3 early-intervention evaluator.
Charles “Chuck” Lawrence
Board Member
Chuck joined the Love Team in 2022 to connect with Grady’s dads and was asked to join the board in 2024. Chuck and his wife Emelia have two children, Ethan and Bella—their miracle who spent 17 days in the Saint Vincent NICU and introduced them to Grady’s Decision. Chuck is a senior analyst at Erie Insurance and enjoys traveling with his family.
Renee Martin
Board Member
Renee was introduced to Grady’s when her son Alexander arrived two months early in November 2018. She became a Love Team volunteer, helped at fundraising events and joined the board in March 2023. She especially values reaching out to families with encouragement and support. Renee is a long-term-care nurse and lives in Lawrence Park with her husband Patrick, Alexander, and cats Gizmo and Callie.