Cultivating Compassionate Leaders: PHF's Scholarship Reception

November 21, 2025

Palm Health Foundation’s Scholarship Reception on October 28, 2025, brought together nursing and behavioral health scholars with their donors for an inspiring evening at The Center for Philanthropy in West Palm Beach, FL. Over 90 guests gathered in the center’s tropical courtyard to celebrate 62 scholarship recipients, with musical entertainment provided by orchestra students from Grace Notes Music Foundation. Together with donors, Palm Health Foundation has awarded more than $4.6 million in health professions scholarships since 2001.



Gratitude flowed throughout the evening as scholars met their scholarship donors—many for the first time—and two former recipients shared their personal stories of overcoming barriers to continue their education and become health professions leaders thanks to The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation.


Dr. Alice Brumley spoke about how her scholarship supported her through the challenges of nursing during the pandemic. “More than financial support, it was knowing that someone believed in me, and my community was supporting me,” she said. Today, Dr. Brumley serves as Interim Director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at FAU, leading compassionate, community-centered care for individuals and families affected by memory disorders.

Elizabeth Lubin shared her personal story about receiving her scholarship during one of the most challenging times of her life — balancing school, her family, the pandemic, and a cancer diagnosis. “It felt like a tremendous burden was lifted,” she said. “Not just from me, but from my family as well. It allowed me to breathe again, to focus on my studies, and to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse.” Lubin is now a charge nurse at a South Florida Level II trauma emergency room, where she makes a difference in people’s lives every day, and looks ahead to becoming a nurse practitioner.


Both former scholars encouraged students to persevere by remembering their “why” as they continue their school and career journeys—an important message to help address significant nursing and behavioral health workforce shortages. 

Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation President and CEO, echoed their sentiments and the foundation’s dedication to growing a skilled healthcare workforce. “You have lived through challenges and are determined to be the solution,” he said. “We and our donors are determined as well in developing diverse, dynamic professionals like you for the betterment of our community’s health.”


McNamara closed the event by announcing the foundation’s generous scholarship match program. From December 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, Palm Health Foundation is matching every donation to The Nursing Advancement Fund and all nursing scholarship funds dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000. Palm Health Foundation nursing scholarships support students with financial need in undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs.


Notable attendees at the event included: Dr. Christine Koehn, PHF trustee/vice chair and scholarship fund holder; PHF trustees Julie Fisher Cummings, Dr. Naelys Luna, Dr. Lisa Kirk Wiese, and Clovis Moodie, and former trustee Ilene Solomon Silber; scholarship fund holders Dr. Alina Alonso, Denise Bober, and Donald Smith-Browne; and Tim Snow, president of George Snow Scholarship Fund.


To make a gift or create a donor advised fund to support health professions scholars, please contact Carrie Browne, director of stewardship and strategic partnerships, (561) 837-2281, carrieb@phfpbc.org. 

View more

About Palm Health Foundation 
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors, and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $95 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Healthier Glades Celebration

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.

Meet Our New Fellow: Amy Ferguson

November 21, 2025

Train the Brain Campaign Connects All Ages and Communities

November 21, 2025
Palm Health Foundation ’s October 2025 Train the Brain community health campaign, themed “Brain Health Across the Lifespan,” offered opportunities all month long, drawing nearly 300 community members to connect with local brain health champions, access practical, science-backed information, and take meaningful steps to support brain health for themselves, their families, and their neighbors – at every age and stage of life. Train the Brain inspired local organizational collaborations from Belle Glade to Boynton Beach to offer a range of community programs to help residents of all ages recognize that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. At “Arts on the Muck,” Glades community elders engaged in arts activities, memory boosting games, music, and movement during a football-themed afternoon. The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum joined with The Center for Child Counseling to bring the brain-boosting benefits of yoga, art making, and music to children, while their parents and caregivers learned practical, science-based tips to support brain health and emotional well-being at home.  “Collaborations such as these create partnership opportunities though which we can further strengthen our communities,” said Ljubica Ciric, Senior Director of Strategic Impact, Center for Child Counseling.

Palm Health Foundation to Launch “Brain Health Across the Lifespan” During October’s Train the Brain Month

August 27, 2025
Community campaign to highlight brain health at every stage of life, aiming to boost resilience and prevent neurological issues. 

Healthier Glades Launches Free Five-Week Mini Grant Workshop Series

August 21, 2025
Applicants must attend at least one workshop to be eligible for Healthier Glades 2026 mini grants. 

"Hold Fast to Dreams": Spotlighting Trustee Clovis Moodie

July 29, 2025
With wisdom shaped by lived experience, Clovis speaks to the power of education, caregiving, and holding fast to dreams—even in the face of adversity – in this heartfelt reflection. Clovis is a shining example of resident leadership, and Palm Health Foundation is proud to partner with her in building a stronger, healthier Palm Beach County.

Healthier Glades Brings Chair Yoga to Local Residents Through Let’s Move 365 Initiative

July 10, 2025
Classes scheduled to resume August 5, 2025

From Scholarship to Service: How a Palm Health Foundation Nursing Scholar is Advancing Geriatric Memory and Wellness Care in Palm Beach County

June 27, 2025
Alice Brumley was a practicing nurse in 2020, when working in a hospital was a scary place to be. Receiving a scholarship from The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation enabled her to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus in geriatrics feeling assured and supported during a dark period. “The scholarship gave me certainty in an uncertain time,” Brumley said. “Nurses were leaving the field because of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than financial support, it was knowing that someone believed in me, and my community was supporting me.” Brumley’s scholarship support advanced her path and her expertise in geriatrics, a field dedicated to supporting individuals through a stage of life often defined by its own unique uncertainties. “I saw individuals suffering from strokes or dementia who were alone,” she said. “They were in a cycle of getting sick, returning to the hospital for long stays, and not understanding what medications they were on,” she said. “Navigating the system is so hard for us; imagine how it is for people with cognitive changes who don’t have any family close by.”

Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Naelys Luna

April 23, 2025
A conversation with Naelys Luna, PhD, MSW, Palm Health Foundation Trustee

Love, Lessons, and The Movement

April 23, 2025
Palm Health Foundation supports BeWellPBC, a county-wide behavioral health initiative. After 10 years of leading community change through Healthier Delray Beach and BeWellPBC, Lauren Zuchman will bring her passion to a new chief officer role in Palm Beach County with continued reinforcement of community at the forefront.