2022 Annual Report

GOD’S COLLATERAL BEAUTY

Amelia’s Story of Grace

Amelia* didn’t sleep for six days and felt like she was truly “going crazy.” At her wit’s end, she went to the ER. After her ER visit, she scheduled a follow-up appointment with her primary care physician at Grace, Dr. Kirsten Carter. Dr. Carter asked her what had changed in her life. Amelia answered that her son was getting a divorce and began exhibiting destructive behavior. But Dr. Carter felt that it was something deeper. She lovingly told Amelia, “While your son’s divorce may have triggered it, what else is going on?” Amelia finally confided in Dr. Carter that she had been abused as a child. To avoid the abuser, she forced herself to stay awake. It got so bad, that she prayed that her abuser would die. He ultimately did die of cancer. Dr. Carter knew that her childhood trauma needed to be addressed immediately.

Dr. Carter recommended that Amelia speak with one of our mental health counselors, that “the little girl inside Amelia needs a voice.” While they were waiting for the counselor to come into the room, Dr. Carter asked Rabeea, a Gap Year Intern Scribe, to find a coloring book and stuffed animal for Amelia. Dr. Carter knew that a soothing childhood activity might bring essential comfort to the detrimental impact of Amelia’s traumatic childhood experiences. Dr. Carter also shared with Amelia to “be on the lookout for collateral beauty that God has for you, even in the midst of trauma.”

Rabeea returned with a coloring book and a stuffed turtle. Amelia’s face lit up, “When I was a child, my dad gave me turtles!” Turtles also had a connection with her son as she pulled out her phone to share their turtle photos. Dr. Carter commented, “You won’t need a pill to sleep tonight. The turtle should do it.”

After they left the patient, Dr. Carter asked Rabeea, “What made you choose the turtle?” Rabeea thought about searching through the available toys. She thought the doll and the unicorn were “too young” for an adult; the turtle would work better. Rabeea answered, “It spoke to me.”

Dr. Carter followed-up with Amelia the next day to see how she was doing. Amelia said, “That was the first time I slept in weeks!”

Amelia’s story is a powerful illustration of the manifestation of Grace Medical Home’s holistic care model – from medical care to mental health counseling to training and empowering the next generation of providers to spiritual care and cross-cultural inclusivity – all addressed during one patient visit.

Amelia continues to work on improving her health and wellness physically, mentally and spiritually. She hasn’t had a sleepless night since.

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Grace family, friends and community partners,

Throughout Orange County, we see neighbors who are struggling. Perhaps they have lost homes or jobs. Their hope and confidence in a better tomorrow for themselves or their children is shaken. Their faith is in question.

Yet every day at Grace, we see what our patients have found. A path to hope. A passageway to healing. A journey that begins with God’s amazing grace and leads to a new beginning.

Over the past year, we’ve helped thousands of men, women and children walk the path to a healthier new life. Patients like Amelia who came to us unexpectedly with prolonged toxic stress living with adverse childhood experiences that manifested in poor physical health in adulthood. Unfortunately, Amelia’s heartbreaking story is not unique. One third of Grace patients reported experiencing a traumatic event in childhood. And 52% of patients are experiencing one or more symptoms of trauma. Grace is here to support them however we can.

Stories like Amelia’s remind us that God’s plans are beyond anything we can imagine. He brought her to Grace to be cared for in mind, body and spirit. Every day at Grace, we are blessed to help our patients who have lost their way find restoration and healing in the love of Christ and the highest quality, integrated care.

Today we’re celebrating people previously defined by what they lost, and are now embracing a healthier life they discovered with the help of your generosity.

Thank you for your partnership in our transformative work. It is making a critical difference in the lives of those in our community who truly need it the most.

Gratefully,

Stephanie N. Garris, J.D., Chief Executive Officer

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

PRIMARY CARE

To ensure every patient has access to the care and support that addresses their unique health care needs, primary care providers work in tandem with mental health counselors, dieticians, specialty care physicians, dentists, spiritual care volunteers and others in a comprehensive, integrative care model.

8,270

15,867

medical visits (includes medical, dental and nurse visits) total patient encounters

$12M+ total value of care (includes donated and dispensed medications)

13 the average number of times patients visit annually

1,201 unique patients

90% of our patients rated their health good or great after enrolling at Grace.

SPECIALTY CARE

Coordinated care with specialists ensures access to vital community resources through ongoing appointments and preventative care, imaging, and testing to meet our patients’ unique, complex healthcare needs.

4,761 specialty care visits at Grace

1,094 visits to referral specialists’ practices

5,941 specialty and diagnostic visits

35+ in-house specialty services offered

• of those specialties, the five most visited were:

• Mental Health

• Dental

• Gynecology

• Cardiology

• Ophthalmology/Optometry

151+ community partners provided services ranging from imaging to major surgery

$492K+

value of referral specialists’ services

DENTAL CARE

The Dental Center provided exams, x-rays, hygiene visits, restorative fillings, root canals, crowns, and removable prosthetics.

1,751 dental visits

261 new dental patients

13 volunteer dental providers

$900K value of donated services

Dental Care Access Foundation (DCAF) scheduled clinics twice monthly and sent dental emergencies like dental pain, infection and swelling, to Grace for treatment, alleviating emergency room visits.

212 patients served

$131K+ value of donated services

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health is a vital part of our integrated, whole-person care. Grace has been proactively addressing the mental health needs of low-income, uninsured patients since 2014.

1,710 mental health encounters

1 in 3 adult patients showed symptoms of possible depression

125% increase in counseling visits since 2019

21% of all Grace patients received mental health services

7.6 the average number of counseling visits for mental health patients

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

Grace’s on-site medication storage room, managed by a staff pharmacy technician, procures medications through patient assistance programs (PAP) and maintains an inventory of donated prescription and over the counter medications, available free of cost to patients.

1,528 PAP applications processed

431 PAPs processed for endocrine medications, the largest category applied for

75% of sample inventory comes from Direct Relief and Americares

$3.9M+ worth of medications donated and dispensed

SOCIAL SERVICES

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes - the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age. This includes the forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life: economic stability, social and community context, neighborhood and environment, health care and education.

Addressing SDOH appropriately is fundamental for improving health and reducing longstanding inequities in health. Every patient is screened for immediate and urgent social service needs and connected with appropriate community resources.

326 social service encounters

1,300 resources from social service partners offered

3.9 average number of referrals patients with identified social service needs received

• types of resources given:

• Education: 23%

• Food: 20%

• Employment/job training: 13%

• Housing: 11%

SPIRITUAL CARE

Spiritual Care continues to be the foundation of everything we do at Grace - interwoven into all aspects of patient care and support. The Annual Patient Celebration Service held in March fostered worship and fellowship for patients, volunteers, staff and supporters.

439 spiritual care encounters

90% of patients said their faith in God was encouraged

250+

devotions delivered by 36 devotion volunteers

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT

Volunteers continue to faithfully show up, playing an integral part in delivering patient care and support services every day. Thank you for providing unwavering service to Grace and extending the love of Christ to our patients.

707 volunteers (397 clinical, 310 non-clinical)

37,432 volunteer service hours - equivalent to 18 full-time employees

$1.19M+

value of volunteer service*

*Based on Independent Sector’s 2022 average hourly volunteer rate of $31.80.

FOOD PANTRY

Grace’s Food Pantry in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and The Fresh Stop Bus Veggie Rx program ensures that enrolled patients have access to healthy food. Every other week, patients may pick up healthy food bags filled with protein, healthy grains or oats, fresh fruit, and vegetables to build the framework for a healthier lifestyle. Older adults and families with single mothers receive weekly grocery boxes through our partnership with Servant’s Heart Ministries.

96 new patients enrolled

170 nutritional encounters (visits, phone calls or Telehealth)

32% of pediatric patients enrolled in the program improved their BMI

34% of patients received nutrition counseling

1,200 food boxes distributed

50% of patients tried to eat healthier or become more active based on advice received from Grace

500 healthy food bags distributed to families through Servant’s Heart Ministries

Food is Medicine, in partnership with the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) and Second Harvest Food Bank, benefitted more than 1,500 people through a three-year initiative.

• 300 children and 152 adults enrolled

• 3,200 food boxes received by Grace patients through this program

• Pediatric patients and their families averaged 4 nutritional visits per year

TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAINING

We hope our 139 interns’ clinical experience will inspire and define their future medical careers and spark their passion to understand and serve marginalized communities.

Gap Year Interns , future healthcare providers, participate in an immersive, year-long clinical internship gaining invaluable, hands-on experience coordinating medications, assisting providers as medical scribes, and managing patient referrals.

• 38 Gap Year Interns

Dental Interns from the University of Central Florida Pre-Dental Student Association (PDSA) participate in all clinic duties including scheduling, assisting with dental procedures, and sterilization.

• 9 volunteer dental students

Behavioral Health Interns include Mental Health Interns who provide clinical services including individual, group and family counseling. Social Services Interns provide clinical counseling, social service resources, and assist providers with patients and crisis intervention.

• 38 Mental Health and Social Services Interns

KNIGHTS (Keeping Neighbors In Good Health Through Service) Clinic Funded by the Diebel Legacy Fund provides UCF College of Medicine students with hands-on, patient care experience alongside specialty clinicians at Grace twice monthly.

• 40 medical, pharmacy, counselors and social work students

• 15 community providers

• 21 clinics held

• 77 patients served

WELLNESS INITIATIVES

Trauma Informed Care became a priority at Grace by screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to identify patients who experienced past trauma. Patients enrolled in the HOPE Project for interventions including mental health counseling, parenting classes, after school activities, and more to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, and health outcomes. Collaborative partnerships to teach and promote resiliency and healing include the Orlando Ballet, YMCA, OCPS and art classes led by Grace Gap Year Intern, Gabby Hammond.

MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT

Thanks to the advocacy and leadership of State Representative David Smith, Grace received a $250,000 appropriation from the State of Florida to purchase a mobile medical unit. This will enable us to reach patients without access to transportation for their appointments and provide outreach opportunities to potential patients in underserved communities.

GRACE WELLNESS HOME

Thanks to a grant from the City of Orlando, we purchased a house across the street to expand mental health and wellness initiatives. Once renovated, Grace Wellness Home will offer patients new skills to reduce stress, improve health outcomes and strengthen their resilience.

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Chair

Christine Stewart

AdventHealth

Vice Chair

Michael Aitcheson Christ United Fellowship

Board Directors

Ritsy Carpenter

Community Volunteer

Bethany Goodman, APRN

Community Volunteer

W. Bryce Hagedorn, PhD, LMHC, NCC, MAC, QCS (FL) University of Central Florida

W. Marvin Hardy IV, MD Grace Medical Home

Ashley Kelly, APRN Community Volunteer

Marilyn King

Community Volunteer

Trustees

Ritsy Carpenter

Kirsten Carter, MD

Rick Fletcher

W. Marvin Hardy IV, MD

Immediate Past Chair

Doug Starcher Nelson Mullins

Recording Secretary

Michelle Tynes Napier Orlando Health

Treasurer

Blake Hostetter

Community Volunteer

Member At Large

Nick McKinney

Foundry Commercial

Sherry Magee

KPMG Lakehouse

Sheryl Moorhead

AdventHealth

Dianna Morgan Community Volunteer

Dennis Reid

Inmates of the Cross Ministries

Paul Scheck

Shutts & Bowen LLP

Yvonne Sweeney

Walt Disney World

Ricky Vescovacci

Kornit Digital

Marilyn King

Michael Middleton, MD

Dianna Morgan

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Grace is incredibly grateful for the caring individuals and organizations whose generous gifts support our mission to ensure that the highest quality, comprehensive health care is available for those in our community who need it the most.