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
