The Story Behind Graith Care: Pioneers in Patient Advocacy
Graith Care was born out of a profound desire to bridge the gaps in conventional healthcare and empower individuals to take control of their well-being.
Welcome to Graith Care, where we are dedicated to revolutionizing the healthcare experience. Founded by Priscilla Romans, a seasoned nurse with extensive expertise across various healthcare settings, Graith Care was born out of a profound desire to bridge the gaps in conventional healthcare and empower individuals to take control of their well-being. Our mission is to provide comprehensive healthcare advocacy services, offering personalized support and guidance to help patients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. With a strong belief in the power of family, faith, and community, we strive to make a positive impact in people's lives, one person at a time. Join us on this transformative journey as we redefine healthcare and put the focus back where it belongs – on you, the patient.
Priscilla with her girls Grace and Faith.
Priscilla's husband Josh and their 2 boys Gabe and Elijah.
Since my nursing career began in 2004, I have witnessed numerous patients navigating their healthcare journeys with great difficulty. It was during those experiences that I became acutely aware of the need for something beyond the conventional healthcare system. Today, healthcare often appears reactive, focusing primarily on disease management, which can leave patients feeling disconnected and uninformed. This realization gave birth to the concept of Graith Care—an organization dedicated to bridging the gaps in healthcare and empowering individuals to take charge of their own well-being.​
At Graith Care, we leverage my extensive expertise gained from diverse healthcare settings, such as hospitals, outpatient facilities, hospice, home care, and insurance industries, to advocate for those in need. This journey has been nothing short of incredible, and I owe it all to the unwavering support and involvement of my exceptional family. It is for this reason that we decided to name our family owned business after our two beloved daughters, Grace and Faith. Combining their names resulted in "Graith," a word that epitomizes our mission to prepare and assemble all the puzzle pieces of healthcare, ensuring the delivery of the most comprehensive and satisfactory care possible.​
Graith Care represents a true family endeavor, with all four of our children—Gabe, Grace, Elijah, and Faith—alongside our loyal dog, Oliver, and my loving husband, Josh, actively contributing to this noble cause. Even Josh lends his expertise in crafting our informative newsletter, aptly titled "GRAITHFUL TIMES," among countless other invaluable contributions.​ For us, the value of family time and the creation of cherished memories cannot be overstated. We fully comprehend the brevity of life, which is why we prioritize spending quality time together.
Guided by unwavering faith, We pray daily and have a strong faith and belief that God will continue to provide and protect. The support we have received thus far fills us with profound gratitude, and we genuinely appreciate your continued support of Graith Care.​We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for joining us on this transformative journey of making a positive impact in people's lives. With your unwavering support, we can offer comprehensive healthcare advocacy services, empowering individuals to reclaim control over their health and well-being. Together, we can redefine healthcare, one life at a time.​
Priscilla Romans, Founder and Advocate​
The Legacy that lives on…
The desire to advocate and care for the sick
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When I started out as a nurse at the bedside this was just part of the fabric in my family, and it all started with my grandmother Maxine Gennaro. You see caring for people was just a part of how I was raised as my mother Linda Durst was a nurse for 45 plus years, my 2 sisters, aunts, cousins and even the ones that were not nurses thought they were at the dinner table. Yes, we had some good dinner conversations and yes, a lot of strong opinions!
Maxine Waunita Grosbach RN was a Lt. Nurse in the Army and while working she fell in love with Vincent Gennaro after he was shot and wounded in WW2 during the Battle of the Bulge. Picture taken Feb 1946 These are Priscilla's grandparents on her mother Linda Durst side of the family.
Priscilla when younger caring for her Grandpa Gennaro after he had surgery.
Legacy of Fighting for Freedom
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When I look back at movies such as “In Love and War” (1996 romantic drama film) I can say we had the real story in our family as my grandparents Maxine and Vincent met because of their love for freedom and caring for those in need. My grandmother was a Lt Nurse in the Army and my grandfather Vincent fought for freedom in WW2 in the Battle of the Bulge. In that battle he was shot and wounded, but when he got to Colorado Spring, CO to receive care for his wounds, he met my grandmother Maxine. Yes, I am sure she had him sweeping the floors as that was the rehab back then! After weeks of knowing one another, they got married and lived a beautiful marriage of 62 years.
Millie Durst at Durst Cycle, Durst Cycle started in 1937 in Champaign, IL
Priscilla's grandma Millie loved family gatherings and always had the best Christmas gathering at her home!
Legacy of being an entrepreneur and running a family business
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I always wanted to do more for people and always had this innovative spirit and that is when I realized that my entrepreneur itch came from my dad’s side. My grandparents, Millie and Charles Durst started a bike shop in 1937 in Champaign, IL. by the University of Illinois. The shop still runs today by family. While growing up, I would work at the bike shop during the summer helping fix bikes, selling bikes, and well just working. My grandfather Charles Durst died when I was 5 years young and my grandma Millie kept the bike shop going by showing up 6 days a week and making sure to attend church on Sunday. The shop was closed on Sundays. I am truly thankful for her amazing example of taking care of her customers and employees.
Durst Cycle EST 1937 in Champaign, IL by the University of Illinois.
Legacy of Ministry
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The last of the legacy and maybe the most important is ministry. I do believe that growing up this has been the foundation to battling through those up and downs in life knowing that God has always provided and protected. My grandfather Vincent Gennaro and my dad Ken Durst, both pastors. My dad Ken Durst continues ministry work in Peoria, IL at PrayerView Community Church. I remember listening to my grandfather and my dad growing up; there was one thing that came through to just figure out a way to help people and the rest will get figured out. So, praying with people and being there in a time of need was just how I grew up. If people have a need, then fill the need right where they are.
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So, when people ask me about my strategy in starting Graith Care I can say there was no strategy it is pure family legacy. Now, it is my turn to bring the pieces of my family legacy together to build something not only for my four kids, but for humanity as God has big plans for all of us and I do believe at the end of the day God wins!
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Priscilla & Josh with Priscilla’s grandmother Millie Durst and grandparents Vincent and Maxine Gennaro in February 2005.
Priscilla & Josh were married by her grandfather Vincent Gennaro and her dad Ken Durst February 2005.