The Cave Institute is dedicated to the cultivation of “community appropriate” research. The persistent inequality in race-based health status mandates a radical change in clinical practice. Traditional paradigms, hypotheses, methodologies and existing research policies must become relevant for all. The historical absence of protective constraints cannot be ignored nor shall it impede progress in obtaining “health care of equal high quality for all”. The element of community in clinical research is paramount to the success of closing the health gap.
In its dedication to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities, The Cave Institute addresses and acts upon issues directly related to the socio-economic, anthropologic and political factors impacting the health status of communities of color. By creating a forum in which candid exchange among stakeholders results in commitment to practical and efficient strategies for the elimination of health disparities, The Cave Institute is uniquely positioned to effect sustained change.
- The Institute provides consultancy services for local, regional and international organizations in the areas of public policy, project development and healthcare management.
- The Institute offers organizations technical assistance in developing community based demonstration projects designed to reflect an improvement in health disparity statistics while altering the conditions to more acceptable standards through cooperative practices, accessible services and the participation of critical populations.
The Cave Institute provides the forum for judicial, political, medical, social and religious leaders to come together with the objective of designing and implementing public policy that addresses health disparities and provides a structure for its elimination.
By operating from an ethical and faith based perspective, The Cave Institute is able to bring the global community together to embrace a universal agenda that will generate quality health strategies affecting citizens worldwide.
Located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, The Cave Institute is a global organization committed to assisting foundations, associations, hospitals, managed care companies, health systems, faith based organizations and community based organizations as well as federal, state and local governments in resolving this critical issue, which ultimately effects all families, all communities, and all nations.
“Cave” in the firm’s name, honors the lineage of physicians and other health professionals who worked diligently on; the neighborhood, regional and national level, dedication to social justice and “healthcare of equal high quality” for all American residents. Rev. Lucille C. Norville Perez, M.D., an ordained minister of the A.M.E. Church, is the Institute’s founder and descendent of the Cave family.
The Family
Barbados born Joseph Lawrence Cave and Selina Ethel Small Cave brought their three, Republic of Panama born children, Vernal, Othello and Herbert to Brooklyn New York, in the early 1920’s. Olga and Lawrence were soon added to the family. Joseph Cave, renowned general contractor, of the Panama Canal fame, settled his family in Bedford Stuyvesant (BedStuy). The children of the Cave clan were all products of New York City’s public education, Panamanian Mission’s spirituality and “Bajan” discipline.
Typical of Bajan migrants, servant leadership was mandatory, in the Cave clan, resulting in a family dedicated to service and the humanitarian struggle for social justice.
Vernal G. Cave, M.D., first Black, board-certified Dermatologist in the country; past-president, National Medical Association (NMA), long-time director, NYC’s Bureau of Venereal Disease, Founding Director; NYC’s Health and Hospitals Corporation and Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation; medical officer to the Tuskegee Airman and mentor to thousands of present physicans, lawyers, HBCU presidents, elected officials and countless, name unknown, happy, proud, healthy and productive American residents.
Herbert G. Cave, M.D., first Black Diplomate of the American Academy of Anesthesiology; member of the medical team that operated on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., following his chest stabbing, in Harlem’s Blumstein Department Store, in 1958; Mount Vernon’s Commissioner of Ethics, Director of the Planning Board and long-time member of the Economic Planning Council and an integral part of the organized medical presence at the non-violent demonstrations in Mississippi in 1964 and the 54 mile “march” from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Dr. Herbert Cave, Sr., was also a mentor like his older brother to countless American residents whose collective contribution to this nation is unparalleled.
Lawrence G. Cave, OD, the youngest of the Clan, first African American Optometrist in Brooklyn, New York; recipient of the National Optometric Association, Founder’s Award; Charter member and President of the Crown Heights Lions Club; Life Member, NAACP and local organizer of the historic “March on Washington”, 1963. Dr. Lawrence Cave, like his brothers, spoke truth to power, igniting a community wide investigation of blatant access inequities in economic, educational, healthcare and geographic polices that perpetuates institutional racism. Countless, name unknown, resident’s of Crown Heights were mentored by Dr. Cave. His compassion for humanity, dedication to civil rights and social justice, remains an empowering force in Crown Heights to this day.
Mrs. Othello A. Cave Norville, R.N.; psychiatric nurse; Founder and Director of Othello’s Playhouse Nursery School; Community Mental Health Nurse, Deputy Director, NYC’s Residential Young Mother’s Program; Founder, Willing Worker’s for Human Rights; Life Member of the NAACP; Executive Board, Brooklyn Home for the Aged Colored People; Superintendent, Beginner’s Department, Bedford-Central Presbyterian Church; a profile in courage pressing through the morbidity and fatality of Diabetes. A mentor, to countless, name unknown; patients, migrants; physically, mentally and emotionally challenged “sheep of God”, were “re – presented” to their Shepherd through Mrs. Norville’s agape , like her brothers and sister, was a mentor, to countless, name unknown, humans who are and will continue to enhance our lives.
Mrs. Olga R. Cave Wiles, the youngest female of the Cave clan, blessed with exceptional administrative and managerial skills, retired from the NYC Department of Human Services after 30 years; office architect for Vernal’s and Lawrence’s practices and “voluntary consultant” to numerous beginning health professions office practices, opening in north central Brooklyn. Mrs. Wiles’ many political, civic and professional organization, included but were not limited to; Life Member of the NAACP; Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (recipient of the coveted Sojourner Truth Award); National Optometric Association (recipient of the Founder’s Award); founder of the Surface Line Operators Fraternal Organization Auxiliary and Crown Heights Lions/Lioness Club (recipient of the Lioness of the Year award). Affectionately, known as “Aunt Olga” was the keeper of the family schedule, the Queen of Coordination and the Duchess of “Getting it Done”. She mentored, countless, name unknown, planet residents who are and will continue to improve the quality of our lives.
The Joseph and Selina Cave family; Vernal, Othello, Herbert, Olga and Lawrence, leave a legacy of sacrificial service, in the name of social justice and through the confidence of the “Promise”. It is this legacy of “hope” that ignites the enthusiasm and dedication of the Firm to the family’s revered culture of humanitarian service with the “urgency of now”. The beloved hymn, “If I can help somebody as I travel on… then my living will not, be in vain…” was not only the family’s song but their “call”.
We're eager to collect the names, and more importantly, the stories and pictures of the countless, name unknown, mentee’s of the Caves.
Contact us for audio or video submissions.
