Dr. Gramelspacher was the principal investigator on this grant funded by the Open Society Institute to study the nature and experiences of death and dying for the poor served by Wishard Health Services.
Health statistics reveal a strong correlation between poverty and poor health.
This study sought to enhance these statistics with descriptions of lived experiences. Our goal was to provide a thick description of the spiritual, emotional and physical experiences of dying poor which will serve as a basis for improving the care for the dying poor and their families. The project began in August 1995 and concluded in August 1996. Dr. Gramelspacher was a co-investigator on this study, directed by Dr. David H. Smith, Director of the Poynter Center, and Dr. Kimberly Quaid, Associate Professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics and Psychiatry, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics. The study seeks to produce guidelines for family studies in human genetics using presymptomatic testing for Huntington's disease as a model to study the ethical and legal issues in human genome research.