Project GRACE:
Dedicated to a long and healthy life - but a graceful
exit.
Project GRACE was founded by Lofty Basta, MD and
Henry McIntosh, MD. Dr. Basta has held the posts of Chief of
Cardiology at the University of Oklahoma, Professor and Director of
Clinical Cardiology at the University of South Florida, was
Chairman of Medicine at Tampa General Hospital and practiced
cardiology at Clearwater Cardiovascular and Interventional
Consultants in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Basta is currently the
Section Editor of Medical Ethics of the American Journal of
Geriatric Cardiology as well as serves on numerous medical ethics
councils, including that of the American College of Cardiology. An
avid researcher, Dr. Basta has published well over 100 scientific
publications in many distinguished medical journals and has written
chapters on end of life medical care for two cardiology textbooks.
Dr. Basta has authored three books on end-of-life care, including
"A GRACEful Exit, Life and Death on Your Own Terms."
Dr. McIntosh is a former President of the American College of Cardiology, Chief of the Cardiology Division at Duke University, and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He has received the Distinguished Service award from the American Heart Association and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, as well as numerous other awards. Dr. McIntosh has over 230 contributions to medical literature. Currently, Dr. McIntosh is Chairman of the Board of Heartbeat International.
Project GRACE is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Our Board of
Directors is composed of volunteer physicians, lawyers,
theologians, ethicists, economists and community leaders.
Project GRACE is unique because it is a partnership between the
community and the medical profession, dedicated to promoting
comprehensive education for the community and healthcare
professions in quality end-of-Life health care issues and proper
Advance Care Planning. Project GRACE does NOT advocate
euthanasia or physician-assisted
suicide. We believe that adequate
pain management and attention to the dying patient's spiritual as
well as physical needs is paramount.
Project GRACE has provided end of life and advance care planning
education throughout the United States at medical school resident
programs, medical and professional society symposiums, health care
facilities and physician groups as well as congregations and
community organizations.
"One important ingredient of the medical profession is a
firm commitment to the patient not to abandon them until the end.
It is what makes medicine such a great profession; Filled with joy
and sorrow, exhilaration and sadness, but always compassionate,
caring and altruistic. Its moral authority derives from the fact
that the patients' well-being is paramount from beginning to
end."
-Lofty Basta, M.D., A GRACEful Exit