Dr. Michael B. Grossman, DM, MSN, RN prefers to be called by his birthname Mendel Szklarkiewicz in interfaith gatherings. He is a nurse leader, consultant, educator, and author whose work bridges clinical expertise with a deep humanist inquiry. Emerging from a family marked by the legacy of Holocaust survival in Jedwabne, Poland, and raised amid the diverse cultural tapestry of Philadelphia, Michael enriches his practice with an undergraduate background in psychology, complemented by a minor in philosophy, religion, and humanities. He has a masters degree in Emergency Nursing, a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, and over 50 years of experience in Nursing Leadership.

A clinical cartoonist, avid gardener, and innovative pizza chef, Mendel infuses creativity into every facet of his life, nourishing bodies as skillfully as he cultivates transformative ideas. As a cultural connector and community weaver, he is deeply dedicated to interfaith dialogue and systemic change, seeking to create spaces where authenticity, courageous inquiry, and compassionate listening spark transformative relationships. Whether reinventing cherished culinary traditions or re-imagining sacred rituals through a lens of justice and shared heritage, Mendel’s work invites others to partake in experiences that resonate on both practical and poetic planes.

His initiatives have rekindled connections among long-separated family members and have ignited fresh conversations about belonging, spirituality, and mutual recognition. With an unwavering commitment to inclusive community and visionary imagination, Mendel continues to bridge generations and geographies, honoring memory while sowing seeds for a more harmonious and connected future.