Annette Grotheer

As a pioneer in addressing healthcare disparities, Dr. Annette Grotheer made strides even before the COVID-19 pandemic underscored these inequalities. Her understanding of the detrimental effects of lack of preventive care access on communities led to the birth of The Shop Docs. Grotheer established this non-profit organization during her tenure at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as the defining project of her Master of Public Health degree in 2016. The Shop Docs brought the critical service of hypertension screenings into the comfortable setting of barbershops, aiming to enhance health outcomes for predominantly African-American men.

Since its inception, The Shop Docs has grown from a small project into a substantial non-profit organization, extending its reach to other states, including Philadelphia and Paterson, N.J. The organization has not only increased its geographic footprint but has also broadened its service offerings to include HIV/AIDS screening. Grotheer's strenuous efforts and contribution to the healthcare community were recognized when she was listed in Forbes' "30 Under 30" 2020 compilation as the only African American represented in the healthcare category. The Shop Docs continues to grow under Grotheer's leadership, with plans underway to expand into additional states.