Your Gift + Their Grit

January 5, 2024

Give to nursing students who never give up on their dreams—or their patients. 

After Dercas Caneus lost her father in 2021, she inherited his role as the head of her household. Continuing her nursing education seemed like it might be impossible, but she also inherited her father’s tenacity and grit.  


She persevered, and with the support of The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Fund at Palm Health Foundation, she is becoming the caring, compassionate health professional she always aspired to be—and the kind of nurse we would all want in our time of need. 


Giving to nursing scholarships at Palm Health Foundation—or starting your own named fund—is a gift to a student like Dercas and a gift to strengthen the culture of health in Palm Beach County, a calling that benefits us all. 


Give now through January 31, 2024, and Palm Health Foundation will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact!

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Dercas’ Story


“Palm Health Foundation’s scholarship is helping me become the first in my family to obtain a college degree and live out my dream of leaving a meaningful legacy that benefits the world.


As a child of Haitian immigrant parents, I saw the value of nursing and how it can impact the community and break down cultural barriers within healthcare. 


From the beginning of my nursing career as an orthopedic nurse assistant, I also saw how compassion and companionship can start the healing process. As I helped a knee replacement patient through her pain and discomfort, I saw her regain confidence and independence. Upon discharge, as I said goodbye, she grabbed my hand while tears formed at the corners of her eyes and thanked me.Her gratitude made a profound impact on me, capturing my heart for healthcare and nursing. 


I want to be the kind of nurse who can sit at eye-level with her patients, share those tender moments, and provide them the solace they seek, with non-judgment.

As I gained experience in my career, I learned that it was a privilege to be involved in patient care. Being with family during their loved one's final moments was an honor. It was a treasure to share the joys and smiles of a patient's recovery. I learned that sporadic hugs, melodic hums, and notes of encouragement to colleagues during a stressful day are like sustenance to the soul. 


Through it all, I valued the art of connecting with people, something that will be so important when I become a critical care nurse after I complete my education. When saving a patient's life, nursing combines intuition, constant communication, and anticipatory actions—for the patient and for the family that awaits their loved one’s return. And I will return my scholarship donor’s gift through every patient I am honored to serve throughout my career.” 


-Dercas, Palm Health Foundation nursing scholarship recipient

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Support more nursing students like Dercas. 

100% of your donation will support local students, and Palm Health Foundation will match your gift, dollar-for-dollar.



“Many of our health professions scholars have been primary caregivers to family members during their youth or saw firsthand how conditions in their communities contributed to poor health outcomes. They have lived through the challenges and are determined to be the solution. Our donors play a significant role in developing culturally competent health professionals to deliver community-based care.” 


-Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation President and CEO

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