Board member profile: Tracy Gratto
Tracy Gratto got involved with Project Access NOW in her capacity as Executive Director of Coalition of Community Health Clinics. The Coalition’s mandate to provide primary care for uninsured patients through its network of safety health clinics in Multnomah County led Tracy to help create a model for the entire Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area region.
After working with the Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland and other partner organizations around the metro area, she was finally able to conclude, “I was excited to help transform our specialty network into a robust regional safety net solution.”
Her graduate degree in social work and the subsequent focus on community organizing and development of community services came in handy through Tracy’s 8 years with the Coalition. “It all closely aligns,” she confirmed.
The Coalition manages Project Access Multnomah County and partners with the Pharmacy Bridge program. “Project Access is one of the most important programs in our network,” Tracy said. “It helps people overcome barriers to specialty care while the clinics provide as much primary level care as possible.”
Indeed, according to Tracy, “though our Project Access referrals are a sliver of the thousands of patients we see every year, the program is an invaluable addition to the safety net system. With the commitment from mainstream health organizations, Project Access helps serve the underserved with much needed specialty care.”
The patient is always the priority for Tracy, whether at the Coalition or on the Project Access NOW board of directors. Tracy serves as board secretary and on the operations committee. “Our committee oversees the implementation of policies,” Tracy said. “We make sure things happen and we troubleshoot.”
What’s more, Tracy appreciates the collaborative spirit board participation fosters. “I have great appreciation for people coming together on their own volition to work hard and deal with complex problems, in a way that keeps patient in focus. We come together as a group to do the right thing no matter what the affiliation.”
