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.

Building Healthier Neighborhoods Through Connection and Trust

May 28, 2026
Aspen Institute spotlighted BeWellPBC , a Palm Beach County behavioral health movement supported by Palm Health Foundation, and their Community Connectors , a group of advocates that help improve the health and wellbeing of their neighborhoods by serving as a bridge between residents and private and public health services.  These Community Connectors are deeply trusted and have helped their communities navigate complex health challenges – like when one neighbor didn’t know what to do when her husband was admitted to a nursing home as his dementia worsened.

Brain Health Across the Lifespan for the PBC CHIP and Healthcare Council

May 28, 2026
Palm Health Foundation hosted an educational session for the Palm Beach County Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Healthcare Council , themed, “Brain Health Across the Lifespan.” This council serves as a countywide collaborative focused on improving health outcomes through shared priorities, cross-sector partnership, and coordinated action. Our brain health-focused session spotlighted how the Brain Coast Vision is translating brain science into practice through workforce development , shared learning , and community partnerships . Session presenters included: Patrick McNamara, LCSW, President and CEO, Palm Health Foundation Bama Lutes Deal, PhD, Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative Deborah Germain, MPH, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Culture of Health Network Spotlight: Partners Learning About Food as Medicine

May 28, 2026
Last year, Palm Health Foundation supported a cohort from our Culture of Health Network to attend the Help Conference , a regional event focused on health equity through plant-forward initiatives to improve the lives of those living with diet related diseases. Attendees included representatives from American Heart Association , Healthier Boynton Beach , and Healthier Glades .  This opportunity strengthened relationships between local organizations committed to health equity and provided invaluable learning.

Leading Change through the Culture of Health Network

May 28, 2026
This month, Palm Health Foundation convened 11 initiatives from across the Culture of Health Network for a full day focused on leadership, relationship building and community change efforts. The gathering was designed to strengthen local leadership structures while also creating space to learn across communities and initiatives.  Participants explored how to build lasting change using the resources and relationships already present within our communities. This was a wonderful opportunity to see who is “with us” in the shared effort to lead change for better health across Palm Beach County.

Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Naelys Luna

May 27, 2026
Palm Health Foundation is proud to have Dr. Naelys Luna, founding dean and professor at the FAU College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, on our esteemed Board of Trustees. Dr. Luna’s journey to her current position as leader, advocate, and educator is beyond inspiring, from political persecution in Cuba to becoming nationally recognized for her impact on the field of social work and higher education. Her story is a reminder of the power of hope, education, and resilience:

Humanizing Health: Removing Financial Barriers for Future Social Workers

April 27, 2026
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:

Palm Health Foundation Announces New Board Leadership

April 24, 2026
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. 

Palm Health Foundation Convenes Global Brain Health Leaders to Launch Inaugural Brain Coast Advisory Council

March 30, 2026
South Florida Positioned as One of Four U.S. Brain Economy Hubs Poised for National and Global Influence 

Palm Health Foundation's 2025 Report to the Community

February 24, 2026
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 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.