Dr. Grace:
The American Osteopathic Foundation has enabled me to realize my dream of serving the underserved, the underinsured, and the uninsured.
As the community outreach chair for the National Osteopathic Medical Association (NOMA), I’m in charge of our health fairs for the homeless in each of the annual OMED convention host cities. OMED is the largest Osteopathic medical education conference.
I’ve been in this role since 2005, and the AOF has been providing grants for us since 2011.
With that support we’ve provided healthcare services to several thousands of unhoused men, women, and children, and raised over $40k for the homeless in cities across the country.
AOF: You’ve been at this work for a long time, and you’re amazing at what you do - it’s our privilege to be your partner.
Dr. Grace:
We wouldn’t be able to do the health fair without the grants from the American Osteopathic Foundation. The grants have enabled us to purchase glucometers and supplies to perform screenings for diabetes and blood pressure cuffs to check for high blood pressure, which are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. We’ve also been able to purchase pediatric screening supplies to provide wellness exams for children. Thanks to the grants, we’ve been able to offer much needed supplies as well - like umbrellas, shoes, blankets, socks - whatever each individual location needs.
The health fairs also bring together the Osteopathic community with numerous medical students participating with us, doing screenings and assisting with care. We really could not do the health fair without their help.
And it teaches them the importance of giving back through community service.
AOF: Can you tell us what initially drew you to Osteopathic medicine?
Dr. Grace:
That’s a good question! I was a registered nurse for almost 13 years before I entered medical school. My last 10 years I was an ER nurse, and I recognized the need for primary care physicians to serve the uninsured, the underinsured, and the underserved.
I worked at a DO hospital for those 10 years, and I was able to see Osteopathic medicine in action. Being 38 years old and seeing older students and residents come through there, I thought: “Oh boy. I’m going to apply to Osteopathic medical school.”
And the rest is history.
AOF: If the rest is history, yours is a history of dedication and impact! You’ve been on the frontlines at the health fair for so many years. Is there a particular moment that stands out in your memory?
Dr. Grace:
Oh, there are so many that I could tell you!
I always rely on the facility we’re partnering with to know what the needs are for their community. Last year, they told me they needed an optometrist. We found a wonderful optometrist who shut down her practice for the day and came and worked with us at the fair. She gave out free exams and free glasses.
There was a little boy who had to be about 6 years old. We were working a table handing out clean socks and he came running up, beaming in his new glasses, and said: “I can see!!”
You don’t forget moments like that.
In Orlando, when it was the rainy season, a lot of homeless people were getting hit by cars that couldn’t see them because of the rain. So, when our Orlando health fair partners asked for ponchos, we got them some of the loudest neon orange and yellow ponchos you’ve ever seen to help save lives.
In Santa Ana they needed blankets, so we were able to provide warm throws. Philadelphia needed umbrellas, so we provided umbrellas.
To be able to give people what they need is such a blessing. You know how at the holidays, you might get a lot of gifts? Some of them you don’t need, but every now and then you get that thing that makes you say: “Oh my gosh. I needed this. This is exactly what I need.”
That’s what we try to do with the mission - give folks the things they really need.
AOF: We’re so happy to help make that possible. Why would you encourage others to become involved with the American Osteopathic Foundation?
Dr. Grace:
You know, one of my first connections to the AOF was through a 501 (c)(3) organization called Heart2Heart International. The AOF supported their work for many years, helping provide aid and care all over the world.
Because of my engagement with the American Osteopathic Foundation, I met the folks from Heart2Heart at an OMED convention years ago, and I wound up going with them to New Orleans to assist after Hurricane Katrina. I later became a board member for Heart2Heart International and was able to continue my humanitarian work by going to Haiti after the major earthquake, twice.
That’s always the story I share when I encourage people to support the American Osteopathic Foundation and more importantly, to get involved. First, because of AOF’s dedication to supporting humanitarian organizations, that make a difference in the world.
Second, get involved in AOF because of how they support community programs like the NOMA health fairs. Third, I encourage people to get involved with AOF because of the scholarships they provide for medical students – they’re our future.
The American Osteopathic Foundation continues to fund outreach around the world and in local communities through the help of compassionate, powerful leaders like Dr. Grace.
To nominate an Osteopathic leader for an award, or to apply for a scholarship or grant, visit our Grants, Scholarships, and Awards page. To volunteer, please contact Terry Sanders. To make a gift to the American Osteopathic Foundation, please visit our Online Giving page.
Together, we can continue to elevate Osteopathic medicine and the dedicated DOs who provide it.
