Every Experience Matters to a Child with a Dream

June 30, 2023

Do you remember a childhood experience that shaped your life or guided your path forward? It likely didn’t include viewing human specimens, but for some who dream of a career in medicine, that is exactly the type of defining experience that inspires future achievement. 


Students in the Palm Beach County School District’s Medical Sciences Academies are afforded rare opportunities to build advanced knowledge and skills long before graduating high school. Palm Health Foundation supported one such opportunity in 2017, when we awarded a small grant to support more than 500 Roosevelt Middle School students to view real human specimens at the OUR BODY: The Universe Within exhibit at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium. 


The OUR BODY exhibit provided a glimpse into the amazing inner workings of the human body through the display of perfectly preserved organs, skeletal structures, and intricate nervous systems.

 

Many aspiring to be a physician don’t get a chance to view specimens like this until their undergraduate studies. Palm Health Foundation helped expose local middle school students to this opportunity to encourage young minds to pursue their passion for medicine and, hopefully, stay in their community to help alleviate our most critical healthcare shortages. 


Raven Fashaw was one of these students, and back in 2017, she already knew that she wanted to be a doctor. “I want to stay in Florida after I graduate from high school and go to FAU,” Raven told the foundation. 

Moving forward while giving back

Fast forward to 2023, and that’s exactly what Raven is doing. At the age of 17, she’s graduating high school with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior from Florida Atlantic University’s accelerated dual enrollment biomedical program and plans to attend the University of Florida this fall to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Raven has decided to dedicate her studies and her career to her home state rather than accept any of the invitations she received to attend an ivy league university in the Northeast.


“She made that conscious effort as a young person to say I am going to stay, I am going to give back,” her mom said.


Giving back is central to Raven and her desire to complete her MPH and return to Palm Beach County to attend Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine for her Doctor of Medicine degree, with the career goal of opening her own practice as a free clinic, helping to keep people healthy through prevention. 


“I’ve become more interested in thinking about free resources for underprivileged people in this county,” she said. “Medicine is becoming less affordable and it’s becoming less accessible to certain groups. Knowing that I can prevent someone from the struggle and hardship of having a disease, and from having to financially support themselves and their family while going through treatment, that’s what’s kept me in this field.”



A Career Focused on Community

Raven describes public health as “where medicine meets social work.” She believes the union of the two can impact the well-being of Palm Beach County’s most vulnerable residents. It is also where she shares Palm Health Foundation’s belief on how to build a culture of health. 


“The whole goal of public health is making sure that people are thinking about health, getting other people educated about health, and preventative health measures,” Raven said. “I think a huge part of being a doctor is not only giving people resources but making sure they are educated about the resources they have and educating their families. I love this county, I love where I live, and I would love to come back and improve it.” 


Palm Health Foundation shares Raven’s vision for a healthier Palm Beach County – a community where all residents have opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential. 


Raven’s mom Susan can already see the promising future that lies ahead. “I think she is going to have a major impact on the medical field,” she said.


We couldn’t agree more.


Together with our donors, Palm Health Foundation invests in the education of Palm Beach County’s health professions workforce. From inspiring future doctors like Raven, to providing nursing and behavioral health professions scholarships, we offer a wide array of opportunities for you to make dreams come true. Join us, and let’s inspire the next generation to care for the people of our community. 


Visit palmhealthfoundation.org/ways-to-give or contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship and Strategic Partnerships at carrieb@phfpbc.org or (561) 837-2281.

Healthier Boynton Beach Honors 130 Family Caregivers at 9th Annual Recognition Luncheon

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.

Palm Health Foundation Grant Brings Day of Wellness to School Behavioral Health Professionals at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

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.

Christina Worley Joins Our Finance Committee

December 9, 2025

The Healthier PBC Endowment Fund

November 26, 2025
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.

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.

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.

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.