Denise Gray-Boddie wanted to join the healthcare profession to help people since she was 14 years old. Her passion was to be of service to her common man. She graduated high school at 16, which was very rare at that time. She worked her way through college.  She exceeded all expectations that were put before her by her college colleagues and instructors. 
 
She raised 4 children on her own as a single mom. She became a pioneer for Black Women in the State of Michigan in her field.  She was recognized by then Governor Blanchard for the State of Michigan.
 
She spent over 30 + years identifying obvious and non-obvious ailments in patients (people) who were unwell. So her colleagues could help get that individual on a path from being unwell to stable and hopefully healthy. 
 
Along the way, she mentored many people in the healthcare field and provided support and guidance. Due to the rigorous pace of 30 + years of service. It finally started to take its toll on Denise Gray-Boddie. Which included needing to have back surgery. This meant she lost the ability to walk upright and currently uses two cans and walks at a 110-degree angle. She also started to experience the effects of kidney disease

 

She is doing her best to slow down the progression of the disease but the only long-term solution is a Kidney Transplant. This can come in the form of a living donor or a deceased donor. Many people in Michigan are waiting five years or more to receive a kidney from a deceased donors. Due to complications associated with kidney disease many people on the wait list do not remain healthy enough to receive a transplant by the time a kidney is available to them. This is why finding a Living Donor is so important.