A Foundation for Growth

July 26, 2024

A Conversation with Palm Health Foundation Trustee Nathan E. Nason

Nathan E. "Nat" Nason, of counsel at Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero P.A., has seen a lot of growth and change in Palm Beach County over the last six decades. He remembers when Singer Island’s highest building was only four stories tall, and the Colonnades Beach Hotel owned by billionaire John D. McArthur in Palm Beach Shores was the “it” place to be. He’s had a front-row seat to growth in his career as well. As the eighth employee to join his father's former law firm in 1985, the firm has now grown to four offices in Florida and 48 attorneys. When Nat was elected to Palm Health Foundation’s board of trustees in 2017, he saw it as an opportunity to expand his personal impact on a county—and a philanthropic organization—on the move. 


Q: What drew you to the foundation?


A: Civic engagement and giving back to my community are important to me. I was born at St. Mary’s Hospital and my mom and dad had roots in the Glades. I’ve always been involved with organizations that have a significant influence in guiding the county’s development, including the West Palm Beach Rotary Club in my early career where I was president, and the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, where I worked my way up to chair. Philippe Jeck, a fellow chamber member and Palm Health Foundation trustee, asked me if I would be interested in replacing him to fill the foundation’s need for an attorney on the board. I knew if Philippe was involved, it had to be a good organization. I joined the board at the same time Patrick McNamara was hired as president and CEO. We went through a learning process together and the more I got involved, the more I realized all the good the foundation was doing. 


Q: What are some examples of the foundation’s impact that have been particularly meaningful to you?


A: The foundation’s Healthier Together initiative is a model that could be replicated in areas of need. It’s a grassroots movement that aims to—and does—provide better health outcomes to underserved communities. It’s also an example of how the foundation is partnering with residents and other players in the Palm Beach County community. We provide resources and they provide knowledge to direct where those resources need to go. BeWellPBC is another example of that model in mental health and wellness, an area where the foundation is making significant investments. Who among us hasn’t been touched in some way by a mental health situation? We’ve made brain health outcomes one of the legs of the foundation’s stool. It’s a focus area that resonates with the community and is very much needed.


Q: Why is brain health important to you?


A: I have family members who have been affected by neurodegenerative diseases and drug addiction. Many of us do. It’s touched me on a personal level. And when you see people struggling on the streets, or you talk to Sherriff Bradshaw, you realize it is a pervasive problem. I can’t close my eyes to it. It’s there. The vision Patrick has for Palm Beach County becoming a “Brain Coast,” and our partnerships with FAU Brain Institute, Max Planck, and others, plus our investments in mental/behavioral health professions scholarships and fellowships are what’s needed to get the ball rolling. 




Three Fun Facts About Nat Nason:

1 He’s played guitar for over 50 years. In college, his band was called “Nat and the Insects.”
2 Competitive sailfishing is his favorite sport. One of his fiercest competitors is Michael Jordan’s boat, Catch 23.
3 He’s a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School, Florida State University, and Duke University Law School.

Q: How have you seen Palm Health Foundation grow?

 

A: When I first joined, it was one of the best-kept secrets in the Palm Beach County philanthropic community. Now, our mission and what we do are beginning to resonate with the community and our story is being told. It’s like a snowball getting bigger as it rolls downhill. People are giving their time, joining committees, and donating because what we’re doing is good stuff.

April 27, 2026
Palm Health Foundation proudly supports paid practicum experiences for FAU’s Sandler School of Social Work MSW students. Through this support, we’re removing financial barriers to education and growing a capable behavioral health workforce in our community. One of FAU’s outstanding MSW students, Amy Ferguson, was placed with the Palm Health Foundation team for her learning, and provided a reflection on her experience:
April 24, 2026
West Palm Beach, Fla. – Palm Health Foundation today announced the election of new officers to serve on its board of trustees. The new leadership brings decades of combined experience in health, community development, law, and philanthropy to guide the foundation's mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration. 
March 30, 2026
South Florida Positioned as One of Four U.S. Brain Economy Hubs Poised for National and Global Influence 
February 24, 2026
Palm Health Foundation is pleased to share our 2025 Report to the Community, which highlights our commitment to leading change for better health – now and for generations to come.
January 27, 2026
Healthier Boynton Beach, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, recently celebrated the unwavering dedication of family caregivers at its 9th Annual Caregivers Recognition Luncheon at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. More than 150 guests gathered for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and joy. "Caring Hearts & Strong Hands – Celebrating the Love and Dedication of Family Caregivers," honored 130 family caregivers during a celebration that featured laughter, music, and meaningful moments, giving caregivers a well-deserved respite from their daily responsibilities. Montre Bennett opened the program with a mindfulness moment, followed by Boynton Beach Mayor Rebecca Shelton’s heartfelt welcome and personal caregiving story. Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay delivered the invocation before lunch, then handed the microphone to event host Rod-Z, who entertained guests with comedy, songs, and dancing. The JSharp Band provided outstanding live music that had caregivers on their feet throughout the afternoon.  Highlights of the event included keynote speaker Charlotte Wright’s moving message acknowledging the challenges and profound rewards of family caregivers’ service, and the presentation of the prestigious Caregiver Award to Angela T. Williams of Delray Beach, recognizing her extraordinary dedication and selfless service to her husband.
January 27, 2026
Thanks to a grant from Palm Health Foundation , The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach recently hosted a Day of Wellness for Palm Beach County School District Behavioral Health Professionals, who dedicate their lives to providing behavioral and mental health services to students. Seventy frontline mental health staff enjoyed a day of reflection, relaxation, rejuvenation, self-care, and professional development. The Day of Wellness was created in recognition of professionals’ deep commitment to the county’s youth and the emotional toll of the high-impact services they provide as challenges among school-age children continue to rise. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health , between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed depression among 12–17-year-olds increased by 45 percent, and diagnosed anxiety increased by 61 percent.  Set amidst ANSG’s beautiful and peaceful landscape of the sculpture gardens and the historic, inspirational Artist Studio, the program featured a series of therapeutic experiences led by local expert facilitators, including Creating a Garden of Gratitude and Hope, a therapeutic experience blending visual arts with personal reflections by Tiffany Mitchell and Amy Case of Rhythms of Hope, and Music for Mindfulness and Intention led by Bree Lukosavich. Participants also enjoyed creating a watercolor mindscape with art therapist Alicia Ballestas, exploring self-care with Shabrae Jackson, joining in a pollinator planting activity with ANSG Master Gardener CJ McCartney, and closing the day with a drumming circle led by Abasi Hanif.
November 26, 2025
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.
November 21, 2025
This fall, Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative , hosted a celebration event with community and partners to honor the resident-led work accomplished over the years of the initiative’s existence. In addition to food and fellowship, attendees shared aspirations for the initiative’s future and reflected on highlights, such as: The impact of Healthier Glades’ mini grants offerings Reduction of youth violence through collaborations with the “Dads on Duty” initiative The air quality initiative spearheaded in partnership with PHF Trustee Dr. Lisa Wiese The Safety Walk – an effort to identify unsafe areas on children’s walk-to-school routes, leading to the establishment of flashing lights in critical areas Resident connection to Mental Health First Aid training , strengthening the recognition that mental health is health Palm Health Foundation is honored to be part of the work that continues to advance health in the Glades communities.