For the Baldeos, Giving Back Through Nursing is All in the Family
Three of Palm Health Foundation’s most recent nursing scholarship recipients have something deeply in common: their last names. Sarah, David and Emily Baldeos’ stories of becoming nurses are rooted in family, faith and values, and a desire to give back to the Palm Beach County community that has given so much to them. That desire has evolved into a dream of someday opening a clinic together serving families in need, a way of coming full circle to honor their life experiences.
Sarah and David are brother and sister. Emily is David’s wife. All three were drawn to the medical field, but Sarah is looked to as the pioneer. She and David arrived in Wellington, FL, with their family in 2006 as immigrants from Guyana, South America, with one suitcase and $20. Sarah always enjoyed helping people and declared at age five that she wanted to become a nurse, but opportunities were limited. Her DACA immigrant status made her ineligible for financial aid. She persevered, pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Palm Beach State College while working at Wellington Regional Medical Center, and became the first in her family to graduate from college (she was also the first to graduate from high school). Sarah wanted to go farther, beyond an RN. Palm Beach Atlantic was her dream school for a master’s and doctorate program, but it seemed out of reach, until she heard about Palm Health Foundation’s nursing scholarships from recipient Dustin Magdales, RN, MSN.
“If not for the Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund from Palm Health Foundation, I could not have afforded to continue my education,” said Sarah. “I am forever grateful to Ms. Howe. It’s not one person she’s helping. Through the grace of God, I will help other people through her generous support.”
Sarah led the way for her brother David, who worked as a nurse at Wellington Regional in the ICU unit at first, then as a travel nurse, and eventually returned to Palm Beach County to serve at Good Samaritan Medical Center. He now teaches at his undergraduate alma mater, Palm Beach State College. David met his wife Emily in 2019, thanks to his mom, when the two attended a church retreat together. Emily was already a nurse, and his mom thought the two had much in common. They not only had nursing in common, they were about to experience COVID as health professionals, the most trying experience in their early years as nurses, but they pursued it together and married during the pandemic.
The Baldeo family with Abigail Goodwin, Vice President, and Patrick McNamara, President & CEO, Palm Health Foundation, at the 2021 Palm Health Foundation Scholarship Reception
David and Emily followed Sarah’s lead, pursuing advanced degrees together at Palm Beach Atlantic University to become family nurse practitioners, both with the support of Palm Health Foundation scholarships. Just like Sarah, David received his scholarship from the Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund. Emily is a recipient of the foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund.
Emily’s experience as a trauma nurse led her to discover the deep care and compassion she possesses to comfort others. Her gift and her husband’s experiences have led her to live a life of service. “My dream is to be able to serve the under-served here in Palm Beach County and in Guyana, where David still has family, and to serve the community alongside my husband,” said Emily.
Serving their own community also means sometimes having the opportunity to serve the people who have meant a great deal to their lives. That happened for David one night as he was working in the COVID ICU at Good Samaritan Medical Center and found himself taking care of Ricky Wade, a well-known community leader and entrepreneur, and chair of Palm Beach State College Foundation. Mr. Wade knew David as the foundation’s student representative, but that night he came to his hospital room as “an angel.” Afraid to close his eyes to sleep, not sure if he would wake up, a familiar voice called out to him, “Is that you Mr. Wade?” He recognized David’s voice immediately. “My entire experience changed,” Mr. Wade said. “It was like Christmas to me that given night. He graduates and becomes the professional he wants to be. And that was the professional who took care of me. It’s full circle.”
Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, also sees scholarship recipients as coming full circle to build a stronger community because of their life experiences. “So many of our scholars face barriers to achieve their dreams, especially those who come to our community as immigrants and aren’t eligible for financial aid,” said McNamara. “Their compassion, empathy and desire to help others is at the core of what makes an outstanding nurse and a healthier community. We are honored to have the opportunity to invest in the Baldeos and their life’s path to help families thrive and reach their full health potential.”
Hear about the impact David had on a COVID-19 patient.
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