A TRIUMPH OF LOVE AND RESILIENCE
Giovanna and Fabrizio’s Story of Grace
In the face of adversity, devoted mother, Giovanna, embarked on a courageous journey to secure the best care for her son, Fabrizio, diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the tender age of two. The global pandemic added an extra layer of complexity to their struggle, preventing Giovanna from addressing Fabrizio's diagnosis in her home country.
To compound matters, Giovanna's father was diagnosed with cancer, leading her to become his dedicated caregiver until his last breath. Following this heartbreaking loss, Giovanna made the courageous decision to seek more economic opportunities and medical care for Fabrizio.
Their journey to Florida was an arduous, uphill climb – both literally and figuratively. The duo faced numerous challenges, including language barriers, an overwhelming demand for services, lack of a support system, and no insurance. However, at the suggestion of a family member, they found a lifeline in Grace Medical Home.
Giovanna and Fabrizio became Grace patients, opening the door to a wide range of services tailored to Fabrizio's unique needs. Dr. Marvin Hardy, pediatric medical director and Fabrizio’s primary care physician, played a pivotal role in orchestrating a multifaceted approach to treatment.
While there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for autism spectrum disorder, Grace ensured that Fabrizio had access to education and early intervention services. Through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), he received crucial support from the school district. Dr. Hardy highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, emphasizing the potential for maximizing abilities through appropriate therapies.
In addition to medication management, Fabrizio benefited from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, a groundbreaking approach designed to enhance learning, diminish disruptive behaviors, and improve social skills. Grace’s tireless patient advocacy extended to practical solutions like earmuffs, mitigating sensory overload and fostering a calm environment for Fabrizio.
Recognizing Fabrizio's transportation limitations, Grace secured on-demand paratransit services through Access Lynx, ensuring seamless mobility tailored to his unique needs. Nutritional therapy, including provisions from Grace’s and community food pantries, ensured a balanced and healthy diet for both Giovanna and Fabrizio.
Giovanna, too, received holistic care, acknowledging the importance of supporting the caregiver. Grace facilitated English classes for Giovanna, recognizing English as her second language, and provided essential mental health support to strengthen her resilience.
"Grace is family," shared Giovanna. "For the first time, I have real hope for my son." 3
A Letter from the CEO
Dear Grace family, friends and community partners,
As I reflect on the past 14 years that Grace Medical Home has been open, I am reminded of the privilege it has been to walk alongside our patients on their health journeys. Their paths are often filled with consistent economic, health or emotional challenges. Oftentimes, when they arrive at Grace they are desperate and hopeless, in other words—broken.
From the beginning, Grace Medical Home has been committed to providing quality care through developing strong relationships with those we serve. As we build relationships with our patients, hardships and trauma have been revealed. Each time, these discoveries awaken a desire in our hearts to restore their hope and faith in themselves, each other, and in God.
Discovering our patient’s unique challenges has provided the chance to expand needed services such as mental health, wellness and mobile care often times inaccessible aspects for the low-income, uninsured members of our community. We cared for a record number of patients this year 1,276 patients. Each of their stories about their journey to Grace is special and poignant.
Patient stories like Giovanna and Fabrizio’s - whose journey to Grace was filled with heartache and challenges. Our hope is they can find solace in the healing knowledge that God is close to them, especially in their brokenness. That when their mountains are steep and their hope may be dwindling, God’s love and grace is deeper. Grace Medical Home is here to help restore their health and hope.
We know we still have much to learn as we try to understand and address the barriers to health and wholeness that our patients experience. Your unwavering support has allowed us to expand our reach and impact to provide the comprehensive health care our patients desperately need. We are profoundly grateful and we look forward to continuing this incredible journey together.
Gratefully,
Stephanie N. Garris, J.D. Chief Executive Officer
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18
*A patient encounter is any time a patient came to Grace for services. This includes physician/nursevisits, medication pick-ups,dental, social services or mental health appointments,nutrition counseling, spiritual care, labs, classes, enrichment programs – literally any time we have an opportunity to encounter a patient.
2023 Year-In-Review
More than 160,000 Orange County residents are uninsured. Grace Medical Home provides comprehensive medical and dental care, mental health counseling, social services, spiritual care and more to the lowincome, uninsured in Orange County.
Primary Care
To ensure every patient had access to the care and support that addresses their unique health care needs, primary care providers worked in tandem with mental health counselors, dieticians, specialty care physicians, dentists, spiritual care volunteers and others in a comprehensive, integrative care model.
of patients rated their health as “Great” prior to coming to Grace
of patients rated their health as “Great” after enrolling at Grace
Quality Care
Our commitment to provide the highest quality care exceeded national benchmarks for hypertension, diabetes, and breast cancer screenings.
of adult patients with hypertension, had at least one primary care visit
medical visits (includes medical, dental and nurse visits)
of patients with diabetes controlled the disease, exceeded the national average rate of breast cancer screening*, exceeded the national average
*Grace partneredwithcommunity organizations to ensure that eligible patients were screenedfor breast cancer.
Alternative to Emergency Room or No Care
Our patients consistently reported that without Grace, they would seek care at an emergency room or go without care altogether. An annual analysis of our patients’ ER visits to hospital partners, AdventHealth and Orlando Health, showed a clear reduction in hospital readmissions.
reduction in admitted ER visits after enrolling at Grace Medical Home reduction in charges to these patients due to prevented visits
no Grace patients were readmitted after 30 days’ enrollment!
Specialty Care
Our dedicated team of volunteer specialists delivered ongoing specialized and preventive care at Grace. Our network of volunteer specialists included cardiologists, OB/GYNs, oncologists, pulmonologists, and radiologists, to name a few.
● 4,767 specialty care visits at Grace
● 5,941 specialty and diagnostic visits at Grace
● More than 35 specialty services offered at Grace
Of those specialties, the five our patients visited most were:
● Mental Health
● Dental
● Gynecology
● Nutrition
● Ophthalmology/Optometry
value of specialty services
Dental Care
The Dental Center provided preventive and restorative care including exams, x-rays, hygiene visits, restorative fillings, root canals, crowns, and removable prosthetics.
Mental Health
Mental health is inextricably linked with physical health and has been a vital part of our integrated, whole-person care for over a decade. Addressing mental health issues can lead to better management of chronic conditions, improved adherence to treatment plans, and overall health outcomes.
1,879
21%
6.8+ mental health visits of all patients received mental health services counseling visits on average per patient 1 in 4 adult patients showed symptoms of possible depression
Medication Management
Our medication storage room, expertly managed by our dedicated staff pharmacy technician and dedicated volunteers ensured free medication for patients. Through patient assistance programs (PAP) and a comprehensive inventory of donated prescription and over-the-counter medications, we procured a wide range of medications.
1,376 PAP visits
$5,032,010 medications donated and dispensed
Care Coordination
The Care Coordination team embraced our patients by serving as staunch advocates, facilitating their referrals to specialists, imaging, testing and community resources. They ensured that all necessary information was available for the medical staff and referral follow-up appointments played a vital role in continuity of care.
1,218
specialty and diagnostic visits at referral specialists’ offices
number of referral specialists who see patients at their practice 84
most common appointments: Imaging (MRI, breast health, CT) value of referral specialists’ services $ 1,505,863
Social Services
We value the holistic well-being of our patients by conducting thorough screenings for immediate and urgent social service needs. Our social services team connected each patient with appropriate community resources, ensuring access to the crucial support systems that impacted their health.
3.9
average number of social service referrals per patient
1,040
resources from social service partners offered
Spiritual Care
Spiritual care remains the cornerstone of Grace, seamlessly weaved into every facet of patient care and support. The Annual Patient Celebration Service held in March brought patients, volunteers, staff and supporters together, fostering worship and fellowship, exemplifying our dedication to spiritual well-being.
91%
most requested areas of need: food and education of patients said their experience encouraged their faith in God
922
250+ patients screened for spiritual wellness
devotions delivered by 21 devotion volunteers and staff
Volunteer Engagement
We recognize the indispensable commitment of our volunteers who consistently and faithfully played a vital role in delivering patient care and support services each day. These dedicated individuals embodied the spirit of selflessness and extended the love of Christ to our patients, staff and visitors alike. Their community impact was priceless!
volunteer service hours
Telehealth
Telehealth, video or phone appointments, with their health care provider offered patients an alternative to an in-person visit. This option often relieved the stress of securing transportation, taking time off work or arranging for child care.
1,110+
39,106 clinical and nonclinical volunteers 510 value of volunteer service* $3,112,416 telehealth visits
1 in 4 patients had a telehealth visit
Medical Legal Partnership
68% of telehealth visits were for counseling or other mental health services
A Community Legal Services (CLS) attorney was available at Grace to address patients’ legal intervention needed to safeguard families’ health and livelihoods. Per CLS, a large majority of low-income households experienced at least one civil legal problem and the majority of those households went without any or enough assistance.
130 cases
from 24 unique patients referred
8 trainings
60 provider consults on legal services, fair housing, advanced directives, legislative housing updates and family law
Nutrition
Grace offered families nutritional education and cooking classes with a licensed nutritionist to make lifestyle changes to improve their health. Hour-long, one-on-one counseling appointments included motivational interviewing, goal setting, and instructions to equip patients with strategies for success including serving healthy food portions, comparing food labels to identify healthier food choices, and teaching techniques to improve blood glucose levels. Cooking demonstrations included healthy recipe swaps, a fiber rich breakfast and quick, and nutritious snacks.
300+
nutritional encounters
of patients endeavored to eat healthier or become more active 50% of patients received nutrition counseling 34%
Food Pantry
In collaboration with Second Harvest Food Bank, and The Fresh Stop Bus Veggie Rx program, Grace’s food pantry provided patients nourishing healthy food bags containing protein, wholesome grains or oats, fresh fruit, and vegetables a foundation for fostering a healthier lifestyle. Older adults and families led by single mothers also received weekly grocery boxes for six months through Servant’s Heart Ministries. We received more than 200 additional food bags during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays from the Heart of Florida United Way and Elevation Church.
1,843
healthy food bags
Grace Wellness Home
Thanks to Bea For Kids, The City of Orlando, Dr. Phillips Charities, Elevation Church, Heart of Florida United Way, Florida Blue Foundation, First Orlando, Orange County Government, and The Joe and Sarah Galloway Foundation who generously donated a combined $1,271,500, we purchased and started renovation on a house across the street that will become the Grace Wellness Home. Educating and providing patients with additional wellness tools and developing new skills will further reduce stress, improve health outcomes and strengthen patients’ resilience.
Mobile Medical Unit
Thanks to the 2022 Florida Legislature, we received a $250,000 appropriation to purchase a mobile medical unit. Our three-room mobile medical unit provided an alternate location for patients to see a provider closer to their neighborhood or work. Launched in October 2023, the Hope CommUnity Center, First Orlando, and Discovery Church hosted the mobile unit on their property for two weeks to see patients.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma is a common experience for our patients and by screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), we identified patients suffering from past trauma. Patients were enrolled in Project HOPE (Healing by Offering Possibilities and Encouragement) for interventions including mental health counseling, parenting classes, after school activities, and more to cope with their trauma. Collaborative partnerships to teach and promote resiliency and healing included the Orlando Ballet, YMCA, OCPS, OCA, Wraparound Orange and art classes.
Transformational Training
Throughout 2023, 62 interns embarked on a journey of clinical experience, immersing themselves in the realities and challenges faced by those living in poverty. We hope these hands-on experiences empowered their future medical careers and ignited a fervent passion to understand and serve marginalized communities.
Gap Year Interns
Gap Year Interns acquired invaluable patient care knowledge coordinating medications, scribing, and managing patient referrals, equipping them with essential skills for their future careers.
Dental Interns
Dental Interns from the University of Central Florida Pre-Dental Student Association (PDSA) engaged in scheduling, assisting in dental procedures, and managing sterilization processes.
Behavioral Health Interns
Mental Health Interns delivered clinical individual, group, and family mental health counseling. Social Service Interns provided social service resources, and supported providers with patient interactions and crisis intervention.
KNIGHTS Clinic Funded by the Diebel Legacy Fund
The UCF College of Medicine celebrated 10 years of hosting the KNIGHTS (Keeping Neighbors In Good Health Through Service) Clinic twice monthly at Grace. Medical students provided patient care alongside specialty clinicians.
Thank You for Your Support!
Grace extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate individuals and organizations whose generous gifts are the lifeblood of our mission. Your unwavering support ensures that the highest quality, comprehensive healthcare remains accessible to those in our community who need it the most. Thank you for supporting our commitment to health and healing.
Contributions
$4,638,519 Total $4,638,519 Total
● $1,468,779 Individual
● $509,236 Government Funding (FAFCC/COVID/Telehealth/ Dental/Smoking Cessation)
● $1,425,112 Grants
● $179,880 Earned Income
● $961,312 Corporate
● $94,200 Religious/Church
2023 Board of Directors
Officers
Chair
Michael Aitcheson
Christ United Fellowship
Vice Chair
Nick McKinney
Foundry Commercial
Immediate Past Chair
Christine Stewart
AdventHealth
Recording Secretary
Michele Tynes Napier
Orlando Health
Treasurer
Blake Hostetter
Community Volunteer
Member At Large
Ashley Kelly, APRN
Community Volunteer
Board Directors
Ritsy Carpenter
Community Volunteer
Bethany Goodman, APRN
Community Volunteer
W. Bryce Hagedorn, PhD, LMHC
University of Central Florida
W. Marvin Hardy IV, M.D.
Grace Medical Home
Marilyn King
Community Volunteer
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
Trustees
Ritsy Carpenter
Kirsten Carter, M.D.
Rick Fletcher
W. Marvin Hardy IV, M.D.
Marilyn King
Michael Middleton, M.D.
Dianna Morgan
Doug Starcher
