HEALTHROOTS FOUNDATION
HealthRoots was founded by Drs. Eric Grigsby and Mary Rocca in 1999 to support health care and community development in underserved communities around the world by promoting education, advocacy, increasing the availability of pain medications, and palliative, end-of-life care for AIDS patients.
Much of the foundation’s work thus far has focused on The Republic of Malawi, a small, land-locked country of about 12 million people in Southeast Africa. Mary and Eric travel often to the country to educate caregivers and meet with officials and organizations to advocate for palliative care. The foundation has been especially active at the Dae Yang Luke Hospital in Lilongwe, and recently teamed up with a non-profit organization called “Wired” to set up telecommunications channels that will allow education of caregivers and medical workers to take place remotely.
In 2008, HealthRoots partnered with the Mayo Clinic on their Malawi Health Initiative, which is the primary effort of its “Serve the Underserved” program. In addition, the Mayo Clinic Department of Medicine Program in Underserved Global Health has partnered with HealthRoots to explore opportunities for education, advocacy and patient care in Malawi with an emphasis on palliative care.
Mary’s goal in 2010 is to set-up a Dental Clinic at the Dae Yan Luke Hospital. It will serve a dual purpose of caring for the dental needs of the nearby villages, and to educate medical workers in basic dentistry techniques.
To find out more or to learn how you can help, please email Mary Rocca.