To learn about Palm Health Foundation's charitable funds, contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship and Strategic Partnerships.
Phone: (561) 837-2281
A Palm Health Foundation Scholar Nourishes Body and Mind
March 28, 2022
Sara Martinez* has a heart that just keeps growing. Despite the domestic violence in her own personal life that left her feeling invisible and insignificant in the past, she has sought out opportunities to embrace others, letting them know there was someone who cared. The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund from Palm Health Foundation was one bright point that gave her a new start in life and so much more after she left her marriage. “The scholarship gave me a sense of fulfillment, a chance to give back and the opportunity to focus less on my unfortunate experience, knowing it would lead me to be the most happy in my personal and professional life,” said Martinez, a first generation college student.
Martinez’s passion for nursing began eight years ago as a hospice clinical social worker specializing in mental health. While working in the field alongside hospice nurses, she noticed that the mentally ill often fall through the cracks because of lack of representation. Martinez sees her role as their advocate amplifying when she completes her BSN degree from Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing with a goal to achieve her masters in psychiatric studies. “I hope that one day I will be a voice in different ways and advocate for the patient who is mentally and physically ill,” she said.
Martinez knows her experience as a social worker in a hospice setting will give her a solid grounding for both patients and their families as a nurse, particularly with difficult cases, or in the event of death. “My role is to provide emotional support,” she said. “I tell my clients now to use me, I want to be there for you, whether it’s the patient, or the families who are struggling.”
Martinez has been there for those in her personal life as well. She is the mother to a bright five-year-old daughter and two girls, ages 19 and two-years-old who “accidentally” chose Martinez to be their mommy. In 2019 she was awarded custody of a then two-month-old little girl whose mother was a teen dealing with mental illness and unable to provide for her. Martinez is a mother to both.
“I am heading to this new journey as a survivor of domestic violence and a single mom of three wonderful girls,” Martinez said. Besides the demands of a rigorous academic schedule and motherhood, Martinez is also caring for her mother who is battling cancer. In every aspect of her professional and personal life, she is preparing for a career of care and compassion. “The reward that I look forward to as a nurse is the difference that I will make in my patients lives by providing the best support to them while they are in the most vulnerable stages of their lives,” she said.
*Name changed to protect identity.
Debra Coffman Howe is giving back by removing the financial barriers to nursing education for Palm Beach County RN and LPN students seeking careers as bedside caregivers.
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:
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.
South Florida Positioned as One of Four U.S. Brain Economy Hubs Poised for National and Global Influence
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.
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.
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.
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.
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.
