Our Vision

We envision a healthcare system where all communities receive inclusive, informed, and compassionate care. By engaging with communities, educating clinicians, and supporting research, we aim to reduce health disparities and foster belonging to elevate the quality of care for all populations.

Our Story

Bridging the Gap. Transforming Care. Changing Lives.

For years, Dr. Candrice Heath sat across from patients who bravely shared their frustrations—stories of feeling unseen, unheard, and misunderstood in the exam room. She listened as they recounted the barriers they faced navigating a healthcare system that often failed to meet their needs. She saw the disconnect firsthand: a gap between what patients longed for in their medical encounters and what clinicians were equipped to provide. Dr. Heath knew this wasn’t just a flaw in the system—it was a call to action. Driven by the belief that healthcare should be as compassionate as it is effective, she and her husband, Antoine Cruel, co-founded the Heath Health Foundation for Education and Research. Their mission? To dismantle these critical gaps, reshape patient experiences, and empower clinicians with the knowledge and skills to provide truly inclusive, patient-centered care. 

Dr. Heath’s unwavering commitment to education and advocacy is deeply personal. She credits her parents—namesakes of the foundation—as the guiding force behind her purpose. Her mother’s 30-year legacy as a public-school teacher and administrator taught her the power of creating solutions where buy-in was scarce. Her parents' lifelong dedication to service through their church instilled in her the profound impact of giving back. These lessons in education, service, and community stewardship became the foundation of her life’s work. Today, that same commitment fuels the Heath Health Foundation for Education and Research, ensuring that future generations of patients, caregivers, and clinicians experience a healthcare system built not just on science, but on understanding, respect, and trust. This is more than a foundation. It’s a movement—one that redefines the way we care for one another. And it all starts here. 

The foundation’s mission is rooted in education, research, and community engagement, ensuring that patients, communities, and clinicians have the knowledge and resources needed to inspire meaningful change and a more inclusive system. Our initiatives:

  • Empower healthcare professionals and community stakeholders.

  • Equip clinicians with the tools, training, and insights to provide inclusive, culturally conscious care.

Programs like Culturally Conscious Dermatology™ empower learners both novice and experienced, this initiative enhances the overall approach to diagnosis and treatment thus elevating the dermatological experience for communities overall.