palm-health-foundation

Humanizing Health: Removing Financial Barriers for Future Social Workers

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:39:17 GMT

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:

I participated in community initiatives like Healthier Boynton Beach, engaging with caregivers in my local community. During Train the Brain, I attended a neuroarts caregiver support group and together we painted and moved. I learned how invaluable support and community are, and how even brief moments of respite and joy with others can be nourishing. I also participated in qualitative research, assisting in the facilitation of a sensemaking session, which was one of the highlights of my internship. Taking minutes for the Community Investment Committee, I was able to watch meeting recordings and listen to the generative discussions that took place amongst community leaders. I learned about community resources, local non-profit organizations, and grant making.

The most valuable piece of knowledge I received from my time at Palm Health Foundation is the importance of holding a vision of the future, even if it can’t be seen or is yet to be known, especially in our changing world and the power of knowledge and shared language that ripples throughout networks, evoking not only community change but change from within. One of the skills I am walking away with is leadership and what that looks like.

I learned that human relationships and the distribution of knowledge are central to change. During my time at Palm Health Foundation, I was exposed to a number of mentors, resources, and knowledge, as well as the PHF framework centered on complexity and how to navigate and convene for change in uncertain times. This meant leaning into curiosity, compassion, and humility, and being open to what emerges within the environment based on a combination of factors ultimately out of our control. I am certain that much of the change that has taken place has been from the inside out and has changed the way I look at the world. I’ve learned that by applying the PHF framework, we can transcend our ways of thinking and begin to think more relationally and communally, moving toward collaboration—leaning into trust and presence to guide us and create global change.

In a world where we can be consumed by the endless news cycle, we sometimes simply forget the good that is happening—how simple acts of kindness can truly change someone’s life.

Growing up in Palm Beach County, I’ve seen many changes take place. When places change, it’s the people who hold the history and ultimately the vision of a bright future. As I move forward in my social work career, I remain forever grateful for the opportunity to be mentored by such innovative and kind individuals and will carry that with me as I continue serving the community that raised me.

Palm Health Foundation is committed to strengthening our local healthcare workforce . Amy’s story is a shining example of our investment in the future leaders of our community’s health advancement.

Palm Health Foundation Announces New Board Leadership

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:46:50 GMT

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.

"We are honored to have such distinguished leaders guiding Palm Health Foundation during this important time as we continue to build a culture of health for lifelong wellbeing, convene local and national partners to advance our vision for the Brain Coast , and strengthen health professionals and quality of care,” said Palm Health Foundation President and CEO Patrick McNamara. "Their collective expertise and deep commitment to our community are invaluable as we continue our work to co-create solutions with residents and invest in promising initiatives toward better health for Palm Beach County."

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 $98 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

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

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:45:32 GMT

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

Leaders in brain science, philanthropy, neuroarts, and community health from across the U.S. and abroad converged in Palm Beach County March 2–4, 2026, for the Brain Coast Advisory Council launch convened by Palm Health Foundation. The gathering marked a pivotal moment in South Florida’s emergence as a nationally recognized brain-forward ecosystem, linking the region’s world-renowned brain science institutions, community assets, and innovation to improve brain health and resilience.

South Florida’s Brain Coast has been identified as one of four regions central to an emerging U.S. brain economy strategy—alongside Houston, California, and Pennsylvania—with its unique differentiator being the ability to unite cutting-edge neuroscience research with community-centered action. That vision drew Council leaders to the table, united by a shared conviction cited by the recent McKinsey Health Institute report, The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI : “Stronger brains strengthen resilience, productivity, and shared prosperity. It is time to invest accordingly.”

The Council explored three interlocking pillars of the Brain Coast vision: deepening brain science, education, and resiliency through research; engaging community to foster brain health across all ages and backgrounds; and spurring innovation to develop novel interventions for mental health illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases. Participants from the Brain Economy Hub, Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health South Florida, Johns Hopkins University’s NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Brain Health Network UK, and the Milken Institute’s SPARC initiative, among others, brought local, national, and global perspective to the Brain Coast’s distinctive role across the emerging brain health landscape.

“The opportunity is now," said Palm Health Foundation President and CEO Patrick McNamara. "Our esteemed Council members see the potential to make Palm Beach County and the greater South Florida region a place where brain health is intentionally integrated and prioritized across science, care, education, civic life, and economic development. We invite others to join us in what is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in human potential for our region, and as a model for the nation."

McNamara cites several converging forces that make the moment particularly urgent:

Nearly everyone is affected. About 8 in 10 Americans say they or someone close to them has experienced a brain health condition, making brain health a universal issue.
The burden on daily life is massive. Brain conditions drive a large share of disability worldwide, limiting people’s ability to learn, work, care for others, and live independently.
Brain health drives economic resilience. Healthy brains are core economic assets. Underinvesting in brain health undermines future innovation, productivity, and community prosperity.

Palm Health Foundation has already invested meaningfully to build the region’s brain health ecosystem, committing $500,000 toward the launch of the Center for the Resilient Mind at Florida Atlantic University’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, and another $1 million to support the institute’s Program in Computational Brain Science and Health. The foundation has also invested more than $500,000 to launch one of the country’s first named NeuroArts Coalitions, and another $500,000 in community-identified mini-grants to support brain health and well-being.

The Brain Coast reflects Palm Health Foundation’s role not only as a funder, but also as a strategic partner helping to bring together the people, institutions, and philanthropy needed to move the work forward. Early support from the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation and the David Minkin Foundation, along with a recent grant from the Carl A. DeSantis Foundation, is helping to build momentum and attract national attention.

“The science is accelerating, the need is undeniable, and South Florida has the institutions, the community, and the will to lead,” McNamara said. “The brain health choices we make as a region, in how we design our schools, our neighborhoods, our healthcare, and our civic life, will determine the cognitive and emotional health of generations to come. That is an incredible responsibility, and an incredible opportunity."

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Palm Health Foundation's 2025 Report to the Community

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:08:11 GMT

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.

Throughout this report, you’ll see the work we’re doing NOW and what is to come in THE FUTURE , reflecting our commitment to act with intention today and anticipate the impact we can make tomorrow.

We remain adaptive, forward-thinking, and deeply connected to the evolving needs of our community, with both lived and learned experts guiding our work.
We continue to embrace a broader understanding of what health truly means – it includes brain health, emotional wellbeing, opportunity, connection, and resilience across the lifespan.
We’re pioneering new approaches to brain health through our Brain Coast Vision , investing in our healthcare workforce through scholarships , and strengthening our Culture of Health Network of resident and system leaders.

We’re grateful to our partners, donors, and neighbors who make this work possible. Your commitment fuels the health advancement work of today, tomorrow, and beyond.

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

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:00:45 GMT

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.

Healthier Boynton Beach Project Director Ricky Petty reflected on the community support that made the event possible, including contributions from 17 sponsors. “We are a community-driven initiative that listens to voice and experience of caregivers to understand how we can best help them take care of their loved ones and themselves,” said Petty. “The luncheon and the community’s generosity reflect how much Boynton Beach values our work and the everyday acts of love provided by caregivers.”

Building on successes from the last several years, Healthier Boynton Beach received a $1 million, five-year grant in 2024 from the CVS Health® Foundation to improve health care access and resources for aging community members with brain, heart, and behavioral health conditions and their caregivers. The grant is funding Palm Health Foundation to create a Healthier Aging Initiative as part of Healthier Boynton Beach’s work to support caregivers who are over 60 years old.

Palm Health Foundation President and CEO Patrick McNamara commented, “By convening, connecting, and collaborating with caregivers, Healthier Boynton Beach has developed a deep understanding of how to lead change for better health. The luncheon celebrates caregivers’ important role, while the CVS Health Foundation grant strengthens the systems that support them and their family members.”

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.

About Healthier Boynton Beach
Healthier Boynton Beach launched in the fall of 2015, targeting the city’s 33435 ZIP code. Their focus is family caregiving with a specific interest in supporting the caregiver, increasing awareness of resources available to caregivers and developing a network for care. The community selected family caregiving believing “everything begins with the family.” Pathways to Prosperity is the initiative’s fiscal agent.

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

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:53:06 GMT

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.

Participant Larisa Lagasse captured the day’s impact: “The field trip to the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens felt like one of the most magical experiences, impacting my whole being and my work as a school behavioral health professional,” she said. “The closing drumming circle left me feeling validated and empowered to keep giving my best to students. This recharged my batteries—it was one of the best days of my life.”

“School behavioral health professionals have never been more essential to children’s brain health,” said Palm Health Foundation President and CEO Patrick McNamara. “Palm Health Foundation and our donors are committed to investing in their growth, recognizing both the lifelong impact they have on children and their need to care for their own health and well-being. They play a significant role in our vision for a thriving Brain Coast that ties together our county’s world-class neuroscience assets with community-based mental health.”

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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.

Christina Worley Joins Our Finance Committee

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:37:45 GMT

The Healthier PBC Endowment Fund

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:11:03 GMT

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

Healthier Glades Celebration

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 21:29:45 GMT

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

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:24:12 GMT

Train the Brain Campaign Connects All Ages and Communities

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:11:37 GMT

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.

Other events throughout the month included “Neuroarts, Stress Management, & Emotional Resiliency,” hosted by The Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative, “The Art of Care” Workshop Series for 60+ community members offered by Healthier Boynton Beach, and two highly educational presentations by The FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, “Brains Explained” and “Body, Mind & Brain: Lessons Across the Lifespan.”

Patrick McNamara, President & CEO at Palm Health Foundation commented on the importance of leveraging Palm Beach County’s world-renowned brain health assets. "Through Train the Brain, and our work to advance the Brain Coast Vision , we hope to explore ways we can all focus on our brain health throughout our lives and build resilience,” he said. “From the moment we're born all the way through our senior years, brain health impacts not just individuals but our whole economy and society. The costs—from medical care and lost work to the toll it takes on a family caregiver’s wellbeing —build up over time, especially when brain health issues aren’t caught early.”

To learn more about the Brain Coast Vision and Palm Beach County’s brain health resources, read The Well of PBC’s October/November 2025 issue, sponsored by Palm Health Foundation at bewellpbc.org/media/the-well-of-pbc/ .

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.

Cultivating Compassionate Leaders: PHF's Scholarship Reception

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:41:41 GMT

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 .

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.

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

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:27:23 GMT

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

If You Go:

What: Neuroarts, Stress Management & Emotional Resiliency
Discover the hidden impact of stress on the body, brain, and behavior before sampling proven arts-based techniques for helping your brain return to its calmer state (homeostasis). Learn new ways to build emotional resiliency through free-association drawing, contemplative art gazing, poetry, music, rhythmic movement, and mindfulness practices—there’s something for everyone! Includes coffee and refreshments, panel discussion, and interactive neuroarts experiences.

When: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:30 am - 11:30 am

Where:

Armory Art Center

811 Park Pl

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Registration: Free and open to the public. Registration required. Seating is limited.
Register at palmhealthfoundation.org/events

Contact info@phfpbc.org with event questions.

What: Train the Brain with Schoolhouse Children's Museum

An event for parents and children, designed to empower caregivers with practical, science-based tips to support brain health and emotional well-being at home. Kids will enjoy yoga, an art class, and music circle, while parents and caregivers engage in interactive educational sessions with experts from Center for Child Counseling.

When:

Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Where:
Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center

125 E. Ocean Ave.

Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Registration: Free and open to the public. Registration required. Seating is limited.
Register at palmhealthfoundation.org/events

Contact info@phfpbc.org with event questions.

What: Arts on the Muck for Glades Elders

Celebrating community, creativity, and cognitive wellness - The Muck Way! Event will engage seniors in arts activities, memory boosting games, music and movement, and more, during a football-themed afternoon. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite Muck Bowl football team colors—maroon and gold or royal blue and white.

When:

Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where:

Lois Lewis/Mary O. Evans Community Center

1224 SW Avenue E Place

Belle Glade, FL 33430

Registration: None required

Contact annie.glades@htpbc.org with event questions.

What: Body, Mind & Brain: Lessons Across the Lifespan

An exciting, half-day Train the Brain Community Conversation to explore how body and brain collaborate to support brain function, health, and promote resiliency. Hear from prominent, front-line brain researchers from across the country whose exciting work is revealing the significance of body-brain connections throughout life, with lessons that can improve and sustain brain health. Includes interactive sessions, refreshments, and lunch.

When:

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where:

FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

FAU Jupiter Campus
5353 Parkside Drive

Jupiter, FL 33458

Registration: Free and open to the public. Registration required. Seating is limited.
Register at palmhealthfoundation.org/events

Contact info@phfpbc.org with event questions.

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.

About Train the Brain

Train the Brain is a community health campaign annually presented by Palm Health Foundation throughout the month of October. The campaign goal is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. With information and resources provided, participants are encouraged to make changes in their thinking about mental health conditions and integrate brain healthy habits and self-care behaviors into their daily routines.
PalmHealthFoundation.org/train-the-brain

Healthier Glades Launches Free Five-Week Mini Grant Workshop Series

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:51:42 GMT

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

Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative, is inviting residents, grassroots groups, and new nonprofits to take part in a free five-week workshop series designed to prepare first-time applicants for the Healthier Glades Mini Grant.

The initiative empowers the Glades community through its Mini Grant Program by investing in promising programs to promote health, wellness, and youth engagement. Healthier Glades has awarded over $140,000 in mini grants to 52 residents and organizations fostering lasting community impact since 2019.

To be eligible for Healthier Glades 2026 Mini Grant, applicants must attend at least one workshop. Those who complete all five workshops in the series will have a better chance of being awarded the full grant amount if selected.

Eligible applicants include:

Glades residents (Belle Glade/Canal Point/Pahokee/South Bay) who have never applied for or received a Healthier Glades Mini Grant
Grassroots groups without a 501(c)(3) designation
Nonprofits that are less than two years old
Youth ages 12-18

Location:

Workshops will take place every Wednesday at 5:30 PM from August 20 to September 17, 2025, at:

The PBC Glades Recovery Hub
25 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd E
Belle Glade, FL 33430

Workshop Schedule:

Each workshop addresses a unique topic designed to strengthen the applicant’s application.

August 20, 2025, 5:30 PM: Proposal and program planning
August 27, 2025, 5:30 PM: Budgeting
September 3, 2025, 5:30 PM: Data collection
September 10, 2025, 5:30 PM: Asset framing and storytelling
Sept 17, 2025, 5:30 PM: Grant Writing 101

“This series is about building confidence, skills, and connections,” said Annie Ifill, Project Director of Healthier Glades. “We want to make sure that everyone—especially first-time applicants—feels ready to share their vision for a healthier Glades.”

To register for workshops, or for more information:

Email: healthierglades@htpbc.org
Call/Text: 561-685-4829

About Healthier Glades
Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative, launched in 2017 to focus on behavioral health in Palm Beach County’s western rural communities, including Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, and the unincorporated community of Canal Point. The initiative's motto is "unlocking our strengths," aimed at unleashing the region's rich assets so residents can thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

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.

"Hold Fast to Dreams": Spotlighting Trustee Clovis Moodie

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:15:57 GMT

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.

Education became my way forward.

My college experiences include earning a master's degree in working with individuals with disabilities and another master's degree in education leadership.

Determined to break the cycle of working in the fields, I took my younger siblings into my home and guided them toward earning college degrees.

I helped my mother leave the fields, and she lived in my home while she pursued education and new opportunities.

I am a mother, a grandmother, and a fierce advocate.

After 40 years of working full time in education— teaching, mentoring, and leading —I chose to embrace a more flexible lifestyle and to deepen my commitment to community service.

My professional and volunteer work includes devoting countless hours working with others to navigate systems to improve the quality of life for individuals who had been impacted by disabling conditions.

My mantra had been, “Help is available, one has to be diligent, and one has to keep knocking on doors.”

However, when I became a caregiver for an aging loved one, who was chronically ill; and a younger sibling who had suffered a stroke, I found that being a family caregiver was a daunting task.

My concern was that I had knocked on a lot of doors and I wasn’t getting much help.

I was introduced to Palm Health Foundation through its Healthier Boynton Beach initiative; The focus of Healthier Boynton Beach is to support and improve the lives of family caregivers.

I had a lot of questions.

I quickly realized that there were other family caregivers in my community who needed supports.

I became a steering committee member of Healthier Boynton Beach.

My involvement with Palm Health Foundation expanded to include my appointment to the Community Investment Committee and I currently serve on the Board of Trustees.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, I am committed to our mission—to lead change, strengthen communities, and build a healthier future for Palm Beach County.

We influence systems, convene decision-makers, fund cutting-edge brain research, and are actively supporting the building of resilient communities.

We embrace neuroscience and scholarships for the nursing profession as we strive to make a difference toward health equity.

Also, we remain thoughtful stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

Our organization’s impact is local, national, and global.

To some our aspirations may seem as vast as the ocean and sometimes everything flows as planned.

However, we don’t always experience smooth sailing; sometimes, we have rocky seas.

The waters may become choppy. Conditions over which we have little or no control sometimes impact us. During such times, we refocus, if needed. We might even examine our strategies. But, we hold on to the dream. We allow it guide us as we do the work.

As I draw my reflection to a close, I use some more words from Langston Hughes:

“Hold fast to dreams,

For when dreams go,

Life is a barren field,

Frozen with snow."

I remain engaged because I believe in the power and the possibilities that live within of our dreams.

The vision, the strategizing, and the realization.

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

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:24:12 GMT

Classes scheduled to resume August 5, 2025

Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative, has been helping residents stretch their bodies and their wellness goals through a successful chair yoga program that is part of the Let’s Move 365 initiative, funded by a Healthier Glades mini-grant. This program was inspired by the online chair yoga program first brought to the Glades community by Drs. Park and Wiese as research to test the program's feasibility in rural settings, which was funded by the FAU I-Health Pillar.

From January 28, 2025, through June 26, 2025, community members gathered every Tuesday and Thursday for one-hour sessions designed to support physical activity, relaxation, and overall well-being. Held at St. John First Missionary Baptist Church in Belle Glade, FL, the classes attracted a wide range of participants, ages 18 to 80, many of whom were seeking a gentle and accessible way to improve their health.

The initiative began in 2022, when BeWellPBC awarded Bettye Lawson of Glades Faith Health Educators a mini-grant to create a chair yoga program for improving the brain health of older adults. After the grant ended, Healthier Glades continued to support the program, facilitated by class instructor and mini-grant recipient Milton Olen. Olen focuses on enhancing Glades residents’ mobility, strength, and mental well-being while encouraging storytelling among participants to build a supportive community atmosphere.

“Chair yoga has been a game-changer,” said one participant. “It’s low-impact, but it helps with flexibility, balance, and stress. And it’s been a great way to connect with neighbors.”

Chair yoga is suitable for people of all ages and abilities, including those who find traditional yoga challenging due to health conditions or mobility limitations. In addition to Park and Wiese's study, other researchers have found that chair yoga can improve brain health, and other benefits as highlighted by Wake Forest and Brown Universities . These wellness outcomes include improved strength, leading to better balance and lower risk of falls; reduced stress, promoting relaxation and mental clarity; and improved pain management.

Let’s Move 365 is part of a broader collaboration between Digital Vibez, Inc., Healthier Glades, and other local partners to provide consistent, year-round opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged in healthy living. Chair yoga classes will resume on August 5, 2025, and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00–5:00 PM at St. John First Missionary Baptist Church, 600 SW 8th St, Belle Glade, FL 33430.

All sessions are free and open to the public, and no prior yoga experience is required. Whether you're looking to improve your mobility, ease chronic pain, or enjoy a mindful hour with your community, chair yoga offers a welcoming and supportive environment for all.

For more information about chair yoga and other wellness programs, contact Healthier Glades at annie.glades@htpbc.org or call-text (561) 685-4829, or visit their Facebook and Instagram social media pages @healthierglades.

# # #

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.

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

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 22:12:28 GMT

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.”

Brumley’s bedside experience, scholarship-funded DNP studies, and primary practice work prepared her for the leadership role she recently attained as the interim director of The Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. She is passionate about the center’s mission to meet the complex needs of persons with memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and their families.

The center provides individuals and their families compassionate and innovative programs of care, research, and education. Brumley sees a significant opportunity to tie the center’s vast offerings together with local neurologists, community organizations, and families to make the greatest impact at both the system and individual level.

“We have been doing so much community outreach and networking that it feels like a new chapter,” Brumley said. “We’re becoming a stronger network to support one another and share the most up-to-date information with our patients about research, clinical trials, treatment and new infusion therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, available resources, respite care, and how to navigate the system better.”

Early signs are showing positive effects on the center’s patients—and where opportunities remain.

“When people with mild cognitive impairment engage in all the necessary resources available, it makes a profound difference in either slowing their progression or improving their cognition,” Brumley said. “On the other side, we might see a patient a year later, and there is a decline in their condition. When we ask why, we often find that some barriers were as simple as the patient or family member needing to follow up on our referral. Now, we’re working to eliminate barriers by strengthening community partnerships and implementing warm hand-offs, ensuring the next steps are seamlessly handled rather than left to the patient.”

Brumley is deeply grateful for the scholarship that paved the way to her “dream job,” where she serves the community by supporting patients who still have so much life to experience and wisdom to share. It’s given her the ability to support seniors to have a better chance to enjoy their grandchildren, age in place, and share their legacies—some of Brumley’s most cherished moments.

“People at this life stage find fulfillment by sharing their wisdom," she said. "That's part of their healing. They gain from telling me their stories, but I'm gaining just as much."

Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Naelys Luna

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:44:57 GMT

Inspiring Agents of Change

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

 How did you learn about Palm Health Foundation?
In my role as a former Director of the Sandler School of Social Work and then founding dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University, I became aware of Palm Health Foundation through my professional journey and work with PHF president and CEO, Patrick McNamara. Pat served as a teaching adjunct in the Sandler School of Social Work, training and inspiring our students to be leaders and change agents. As someone who has spent years working closely with transdisciplinary teams and diverse communities, I often engage with organizations like PHF that share a commitment to health and wellness. Their focus on brain health, mental health, and community well-being resonates deeply with the work I’ve done for almost 30 years throughout my career.

What drew you to the foundation initially?
What initially drew me to Palm Health Foundation was its mission to address health disparities, especially in mental health. As a clinical social worker, researcher, and educator, I understand the importance of mental health services in creating resilient and thriving communities. PHF’s dedication to this work aligns perfectly with my own passion for empowering individuals and creating opportunities for growth and self-actualization.

Why does PHF’s work matter to you?
PHF’s work matters to me because it mirrors my core values of integrity, excellence, and service to others – particularly those in marginalized populations. I have spent my entire career forging meaningful relationships and working toward creating inclusive, caring environments. Brain health and mental health is foundational to personal and professional development, and PHF’s initiatives help break down barriers, allowing people and communities to thrive even in the most challenging circumstances.

What inspired you to give to the Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions?
I was inspired to contribute to the Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions because of my belief in nurturing talent and providing access and opportunities for individuals to grow and achieve their potential. Supporting future mental health and behavioral health professionals aligns with my vision of building a strong, capable workforce that can respond to the health and mental health needs of our communities. Investing in the education of those who will help others overcome challenges and find purpose in life is a deeply meaningful way to give back.

What inspired you to join the PHF Board of Trustees?
My decision to join the PHF Board of Trustees was driven by my desire to bring my leadership experience and values to an organization that aligns with my mission of positive transformation and community building. Serving on the Board allows me to contribute to the strategic vision of PHF and work collaboratively with others to advance brain health, mental and behavioral health, and wellness in our community.

What impact do you hope to make by serving on the board at Palm Health Foundation?
By serving on the PHF Board of Trustees, I hope to make an impact by helping to shape initiatives that promote brain health, mental health, resilience, and well-being across diverse communities. I aim to contribute to creating welcoming spaces where individuals feel empowered, uplifted, and valued. My goal is to help foster a culture that supports both individual and collective growth, much like the environment I’ve worked to create at the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice.

What would you say to encourage others to give to Palm Health Foundation or get involved in our health advancement work?
I would encourage others to give or get involved with Palm Health Foundation by highlighting the profound impact that brain health and mental health have on all aspects of life. PHF is a leader in advancing these areas, and by contributing to their work, you are not just supporting individuals—you are investing in the well-being of entire communities. It is a way to make a meaningful, long-lasting difference, inspire positive change, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Love, Lessons, and The Movement

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:16:04 GMT

A Moment of Reflection from Outgoing BeWellPBC Executive Director Lauren Zuchman

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.

We are all stewards of health. Each of us brings our own resources, talents, skills, and passion to the work we do. Systems need to make way for the community so collective efforts and aspirations can be realized.
Relationships are everything. It’s not just about who you know. It’s about building connections with those you haven’t met yet and forming meaningful, deeper connections with people around you. This community has taught me that giving and gaining — sharing in one another’s hopes, struggles, and triumphs — is where true strength lies.
Follow the energy. There’s incredible power in thinking differently and taking bold actions. The dividends of this kind of energy are endless, and it’s been humbling to witness what happens when we do.

These aren’t simple principles. They require bravery, boldness, and trust in one another that cannot be understated. They ask for adaptability, transparency, and a commitment to sustainability. But, in the end, this is the equation for community success: leaders will come and go, but the impact we create together will be everlasting.

I will continue to champion this movement, still leading in Palm Beach County, taking my love for this community and the lessons forward to influence change in more spaces across the county.

I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. I know this important work will continue to flourish in our hands. We’ve built something extraordinary together, and I can’t wait to see how this community evolves.

Please continue to follow and engage with BeWellPBC in its mission to lead the change we all want to see in our families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and cities. I know I will.

(Be) Well Wishes,

La uren

Palm Health Foundation and Merrell Family Foundation Announce Bold Brain Health Philanthropy at the Home of Frances and Jeffrey Fisher

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:35:51 GMT

Gifts will benefit The Center for The Resilient Mind at Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

On April 10, 2025, nearly 70 philanthropists, scientists and community leaders gathered at the stunning Palm Beach, FL, home of Frances and Jeffrey Fisher for the launch of The Center for The Resilient Mind at the Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute . During the event, Palm Health Foundation provided a challenge grant in the amount of $500,000 and The Merrell Family Foundation kicked off community support with a challenge gift of $50,000. Attendees also learned about the vision for The Brain Coast Alliance , a groundbreaking collaboration among six esteemed institutions, including Palm Health Foundation, aimed at establishing Palm Beach County as “The Brain Coast.”

Mrs. Fisher, Palm Health Foundation trustee and philanthropy committee chair, welcomed guests to enjoy a cocktail reception and buffet dinner while mixing and mingling with Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute scientists who are leading cutting-edge research and programs representing the four research programs at The Center for the Resilient Mind, including creative expression and mental health, youth brain development, aging brain resilience solutions, and translational behavioral health research.

“Our vision for The Center for the Resilient Mind is to bring together collaborative biologists, psychologists, computer scientists, educators, community advocates and policy makers to support the effort to build more resilient brains, minds, families and communities,” said Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D. executive director of the Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute during his remarks. “Together, we will learn the lessons and practices that can tap into the brain’s plasticity to allow our biology and experience to drive resilience.”

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, urged attendees that the time is now to accelerate learning about and investing in brain health. “What excites me most about the new Center for the Resilient Mind is that it will serve as a major lynchpin, connecting innovative neuroscience research with a current, critical need in our mental health system, which is to foster and enhance resilient minds,” McNamara said. “The Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute together with Brain Coast Alliance partners The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience have some of the world’s top neuroscientists doing research on brain health right here in our own backyard and are worthy of our support.”

Palm Health Foundation and its long-time brain health partner, The Merrell Family Foundation, are inviting the community to join them in supporting the launch of The Center for the Resilient Mind to fuel life-changing brain and behavioral research, the growth of research-driven educational programs to build careers in brain science and health, as well as inspired youth and community engagement that are the hallmarks of The Brain Coast of South Florida.

Mrs. Fisher has made her own personal commitment to brain health through the establishment of the Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation to encourage individuals to enter and advance in the mental and behavioral health professions fields. She shared with guests her belief in the exciting future for the Brain Coast. “I have been tremendously inspired by Palm Health Foundation’s visionary leadership and connection to our community’s most pressing needs” she said. “Together with the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, and other incredible Brain Coast Alliance partners, they have created the Brain Coast Vision – an aspiration for brain health advancement in our region and our world.”

Guests included: Jill Merrell, Katherine Saison-Penn, David Nicholson, Margaret Donnelley, Katherine Murphy, Kelly Smallridge, Beth and Steve Elgort, Joe and LeeAnne LaBanz, Ann Berner, Jeremy Morse and Laura Bessinger-Morse, John Lacy, Peter and Patricia Cooke, Jordan Vargas, Emily Kelly, Rose Wong, Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss, and Palm Health Foundation trustees Clarence Williams, Ellen Andel, Dr. Marsha Fishbane (chair), Dr. Jyothi Gunta, Barbara M. James, Dr. Christine Koehn, Dr. Naelys Luna, Clovis Moodie, Dr. Lisa Kirk Wiese, and Stephen Zaloom, Esq.

To learn more about the launch of The Center for the Resilient Mind, contact Carrie Browne, Palm Health Foundation Director of Stewardship and Strategic Partnerships, 561-837-2281, carrieb@phfpbc.org.

Palm Health Foundation Reveals Impact on Tackling Leading Health Challenges

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:17:14 GMT

Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s leading community foundation for health, has released its 2024 Report to the Community , “From Strategy to Impact: Cultivating Thriving Communities.” Dynamic storytelling, supported by video and podcast links, showcases how the foundation’s $2.7 million in grant investments for 2024 addressed the county’s most pressing health challenges.

Advancing brain health . According to the Dana Foundation , more than 8 in 10 Americans are affected by brain health issues. Palm Health Foundation’s investments through its Brain Health Innovation Fund continued to build a growing brain health network—from community-based solutions transforming behavioral health access and support for families and youth through BeWellPBC , to advancing science-based collaboration through the Brain Coast Alliance and the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative .

Strengthening the health professions . There are 510 individuals for every one behavioral health practitioner and over 16,000 nursing vacancies in the State of Florida. Thanks to an outpouring of donor support, Palm Health Foundation awarded $687,000 in needs-based scholarships to 73 nursing and behavioral health students at local universities pursuing degrees to fill significant gaps in access to care across Palm Beach County. Many scholars come from diverse backgrounds and will have the competencies proven to improve patient health outcomes, satisfaction, and the overall quality of care.

Activated, healthy, resilient communities . More attention has been given nationwide to the vital conditions —factors like access to quality housing, stable employment, healthy food, and safe communities—and their potential to contribute to health disparities. In 2024, Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Lake Worth Beach initiative created impact by relieving the stress of code compliance among 55+ residents in vulnerable communities by collaborating with city government through the Neighborhood Health/Code Compliance Curb Appeal project . Recognizing homeowners’ inability to correct code violations due to health or aging, the project engaged volunteers to provide home repairs and improvements, relieving residents of violations and improving their quality of life. Palm Health Foundation also joined with fellow funders during the year to award 21 Community Changemakers Fund grants, seeding and supporting a network of individuals, organizations, and businesses with ideas to benefit resident health through enhancing vital conditions across Palm Beach County.

Palm Health Foundation president and CEO, Patrick McNamara, sees how the foundation’s innovative approach to long-term health solutions through community collaboration is paying dividends. “Since evolving our strategy from short-term grant-making to systems change and generational transformation in partnership with community and our donors, we have better recognized—and invested in—the incredible people and ideas for building a thriving community,” McNamara said. “At the same time, we are strengthening our entire health network through scholarships and game-changing collectives, like the Brain Coast Alliance. Our efforts are creating connections between philanthropists seeking breakthrough health solutions and the people who are leading the way for a healthier Palm Beach County.”

###

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.

When The Brain Coast Thrives, We All Benefit

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 18:58:25 GMT

The Palm Beach Post’s November 12, 2024, article, “ How South Florida aims to become capital of neurological research and treatment ,” introduced readers to a historic collaboration among six esteemed institutions who have formed an alliance to position our region as the “Brain Coast.”

As more attention is placed on health and science research spending at a national level, the Brain Coast Alliance is shining a light on the significant discoveries and economic benefits that we all enjoy because our community is united in support of scientific innovation in our own backyard. Our local investments have had a profound global impact, especially in the area of brain science. This is vitally important to all of us, because when the brain thrives, every aspect of our being benefits. When the Brain Coast thrives, every aspect of our region stands to benefit.

The brain health discoveries originating in Palm Beach County, FL, where Brain Coast founding members, the Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute (FAU), The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) reside, reflect the life’s work of hundreds of scientists working together to illuminate the awesome complexity of the human brain. Their ultimate goal is to find better treatments and even cures for some of humanity’s most challenging brain diseases and disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, and developmental difficulties such as autism and sensory processing disorders. Together, these brain conditions affect more than eight in 10 Americans and their ability to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Life science discoveries and development affect the health of our local economy as well, providing over 7,500 jobs and contributing $1.6 billion total gross regional product , according to the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. This local industry is also a driving force for growth.

MPFI has attracted scientific investment through a partnership with microscopy manufacturer Abberior Instruments, who moved their US headquarters to Jupiter, FL, in 2017, where recently ZEISS opened a new advanced microscopy training center. Similarly, FAU’s multi-campus partnership with Nikon Instruments, has garnered a designation as a Nikon Center of Excellence , one of only 17 in the Americas and 1 of 32 worldwide. Additionally, Wertheim UF Scripps Institute researchers have established companies in Jupiter that are attracting millions in outside investment while they advance possible treatments for forms of muscular dystrophy, ALS, and glioblastoma. Building upon strengths, Florida Atlantic, home to five inductees into the National Academy of Inventors, oversees a thriving Tech Runway and Research Park , promoting the development of diagnostics and treatments for brain disorders, among others.

With professional opportunities and investment come advanced educational opportunities to boost STEM appreciation and careers, creating a dynamic ecosystem where schools benefit from enhanced educational resources, career opportunities, and community collaboration, all bringing the vision for a thriving Brain Coast to life.

Beyond local impact, Brain Coast Alliance partners are fueling America’s research pipeline, ensuring that our country is—and stays—at the forefront in the development of life-changing medications and therapies. Palm Beach County’s research institutes’ list of discoveries is inspiring and supports Florida’s public health priorities , including addressing chronic health conditions, understanding the neural basis of addiction, treating mental health conditions, and understanding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Did you know, for example, that the genetics of forgetting were uncovered in Jupiter?

Other examples of Brain Coast Alliance researchers’ worldwide impact on some of the most debilitating diseases and conditions include:

At FAU, Erik Engeberg, Ph.D., is exploring two-way communication between the brain and robotic devices , where an artificial limb would respond to brain signals for movements, and Ning Quan, Ph.D., has discovered novel healthy roles for inflammatory immune molecules in the brain that may one day lead to novel neuroprotective medications.
At The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Laura Bohn, Ph.D., has shown that dangerous and unwanted side effects of pain medications, including respiratory suppression and itching, can be minimized with next-generation medications now in development. Meanwhile, Matthew D. Disney, Ph.D., has discovered a potential medication for Parkinson’s that disables the toxic RNA driving the disease.
At MPFI, Vidhya Rangaraju, Ph.D., is conducting research that could allow for earlier diagnosis and intervention of ALS, and Sarah Stern, Ph.D., is helping to uncover how the brain processes information related to hunger, thirst and stress, that could unlock new treatments for obesity, eating disorders, and other psychiatric conditions.

We look forward to maintaining the momentum on life-changing research that impacts our region and our world. Science is a vital pillar of our economy, one that enhances everyone’s health and wellbeing. To learn more about how you can champion science and support this vital work, visit Palm Health Foundation’s website .

Signed,

Patrick J. McNamara , President and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, on behalf of the Brain Coast Alliance :

Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Palm Health Foundation, Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, and the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network

CVS Health Foundation grants Palm Health Foundation $1 million as Part of its New Healthy Aging Initiative

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 14:17:40 GMT

What if I become ill? What if my loved one does? How will we manage?

These are the questions many ask themselves as Americans have fewer children and live longer. According to the Census Bureau , more people in the U.S. will likely be over 64 than under 18 by 2034—the first time older adults are projected to outnumber kids in U.S. history. In Palm Beach County, 31% of the county’s population is 60 years old or older, according to a 2022 report from the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast.

With this rise in aging Americans, the CVS Health Foundation identified an opportunity to introduce Healthy Aging as a new focus area for giving. They have just announced a grant award of $1 million over five years to Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, as part of its new Healthy Aging initiative. Funding will improve health care access and resources for aging community members with brain, heart and behavioral conditions, as well as their caregivers.

Palm Health Foundation will co-create with family caregivers and residents a Healthier Aging Initiative as part of Healthier Boynton Beach to support caregivers who are over 60 years old. Often a caregiver’s own health gets overlooked. This grant will help to identify, coordinate, and connect health and wellness services to caregivers in the community.

CLICK HERE to read CVS Health Foundation's grant funding announcement.

Digital Vibez’ “Let’s Move” Campaign Expands to Year-Round Programming

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 14:05:45 GMT

Let’s Move Encourages at least 30 Minutes of Activity Daily for Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health

Digital Vibez, in partnership with the Palm Health Foundation, proudly announces the expansion of “Let’s Move” to a year-round program – Let’s Move 365. Designed to combat childhood obesity and promote wellness in underserved communities, the initiative is made possible through Palm Beach County and oversight by the Parks & Recreation Department as fiscal agent.

Launched in 2012, Let’s Move began as a month-long challenge in March, encouraging residents to log 30 minutes of daily activity. Starting with 100,000 minutes in its first year, the county logged an astounding 72.5 million minutes in March 2024 .

The program’s evolution into a year-round initiative will provide free fitness classes, wellness education, and community events to ensure residents maintain healthy lifestyles. With support from partners like Genesis Health and advocates like the American Heart Association, Let’s Move will target zip codes with higher rates of metabolic conditions, including diabetes and obesity, focusing on communities including 33446, 33404, 33417, 33436, 33435, 33438, 33445, 33477, and 33467 . Genesis Health will work proactively to monitor and collect medical data across zip codes year-round to ensure metabolic rates are improving.

The program will offer tailored classes for all ages, including:

Fitness Classes: Zumba, POUND fitness, weight training, and step aerobics
Wellness Sessions: Mindfulness and meditation
Intergenerational Activities: Programs designed for children, families, and senior citizens

“Together with Palm Beach County, the Parks & Recreation Department, and partners like Genesis Health and advocates like the American Heart Association, we are reimagining what wellness looks like in our community,” said Wil Romelus, founder of Digital Vibez.

Participants in these communities will also receive access to free health information and resources, empowering them to make informed choices about their well-being.

“Let’s Move has already inspired millions of minutes of activity across Palm Beach County,” said Patrick McNamara, president, and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “By expanding to year-round programming, we’re not just encouraging healthier habits—we’re creating lasting change in the lives of our residents.”

For more information about the Let’s Move 365 initiative, visit www.letsmovepbc.org .

About Digital Vibez®, Inc.
Digital Vibez is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Palm Beach County. Our mission is to empower youth in diverse and underserved communities through dance fitness, technology, and the arts. Our innovative programs and events motivate and inspire youth to use their creativity and talents to develop healthier habits while expressing themselves through positive outlets and engaging activities. For more information about Digital Vibez, visit digitalvibez.org or call (561) 847-4521.

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 $93 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 Celebrates Six Years of “Unlocking Our Community Strengths” through Mini Grants

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 13:56:45 GMT

Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative, proudly marked six years of empowering the Glades community through its Mini Grant Program with the recent announcement of four grant awards to recipients in Belle Glade and Canal Point, Florida. Through the Mini Grant Program, Healthier Glades invests in promising programs to promote health, wellness, and youth engagement. The initiative has awarded over $140,000 in mini grants to 52 residents and organizations fostering lasting community impact since 2019.

The four innovative grants exemplify Healthier Glades’ ability to unlock community strengths by elevating and investing in the ideas that the community believes hold the most promise to change lives and the narrative around mental health.

“The programs highlight the creativity, passion, and dedication of Glades’ community members,” said Annie Ifill, Director, Healthier Glades.

Mini grant recipients began program implementation on January 1, 2025.

Mini Grant Recipients

“As the mini grant projects begin, Healthier Glades continues to champion community empowerment and collaboration,” Ifill said. “Each initiative showcases the remarkable ways residents address challenges, build resilience, and create a healthier, stronger Glades community. Together, we are unlocking the strengths of our community, one grant at a time.”

For more information about Healthier Glades and its Mini Grant Program, please contact Annie Ifill at annie.glades@htpbc.org or call/text (561) 685-4829.

# # #

About the Healthier Together Initiative
Healthier Together is a resident-led, community-driven grantmaking approach developed by Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. This strategic initiative convenes residents to address a variety of social, economic, and environmental factors that affect health outcomes. Healthier Together engages residents in creating their own solutions to make positive, healthy changes in the neighborhoods where they live, work and play. To learn more, visit healthiertogetherpbc.org .

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 $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Together, We Can Lead Change for Better Health

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 16:36:33 GMT

Dear Change Leader,

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the board of Palm Health Foundation since 2011. Year after year, meeting after meeting, and through my prayers for strength and resolve each day, I renew that commitment because it is a huge part of my “why.”

Mark Twain wrote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” I realized many years ago that the lessons I learn may be for me alone in the moment, but they are not mine to hoard—they are to be shared with others.

My “why” is to serve others: helping people learn and grow, supporting them as they reach for heights they might not otherwise achieve, and defying the odds life has stacked against them.

This sense of purpose drives my work with Palm Health Foundation. Our tagline, “ Leading Change for Better Health ,” captures the essence of what we do. It mirrors my personal mission to help others tap into their resilience, find strength, and discover that, together, we can and do accomplish hard things.

Sometimes, people just need a little help—a hand to pull them up when they cannot pull themselves up alone. That’s where we come in.

This year, thanks to your generosity, we have:

Provided community organizations with grants to expand access to health resources.
Invested in innovative programs that address mental health, chronic disease prevention, and equitable access to care.
Listened to and learned from residents to ensure our work reflects their needs and aspirations.

But the work is not done.

There are countless opportunities for us to do better and do more. Your support is what allows us to continue leading change.

Together, we strengthen our communities and build a healthier future.

As we approach the end of the year, I invite you to join me in renewing your commitment to better health for all.

Together, we can lead change.

Make your year-end gift today and help us continue our health advancement work.

Hospital Conversion Foundations are Connected to Community Needs

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:31:53 GMT

Article written for the Estate Planning Council's annual Estate Planning Supplement by Palm Health Foundation Philanthropy Committee member Chioma Deere, Esq.

Hospital conversion foundations are unique and powerful forces in advancing community health. These charitable organizations are born when non-profit hospitals are sold and converted to for-profit entities. A foundation is then established from the proceeds of the sale or “conversion.”

Because of their history in healthcare, these organizations are deeply rooted in the community, and therefore in touch with our neighbors’ most pressing health needs. Though these foundations carry forward the charitable missions of the original hospitals, they are nimbly positioned to respond to the ever-changing health landscape and can connect donors to the health causes closest to their hearts.

Rooted in Community

Hospital conversion foundations are deeply embedded in the fabric of the communities they serve. Unlike national health organizations, these foundations focus on hyper-local health needs and can partner with residents, philanthropists, institutions, and fellow nonprofits to drive innovative solutions to the biggest health challenges that communities face.

This deep connection to the community is something I relate to as an attorney dedicated to serving our Palm Beach County neighbors. I work with families daily to ensure that they are protected in as many ways as possible. By partnering with Palm Health Foundation, a local hospital conversion foundation and Palm Beach County’s only community foundation for health, I’ve discovered a world of other ways that I can continue to help the community. I choose to partner with organizations like Palm Health Foundation because they are an extension of the work I, and professionals like me, do to help our neighbors.

To advance local health causes, we must recognize that our neighbors’ lived experiences shape their health outcomes. Just as I center listening to my clients and prioritizing their voice and experiences in shaping solutions to their problems, our philanthropic partners must center resident voices when seeking community health solutions. Palm Health Foundation is a ready partner in this, prioritizing resident voices in their fundraising and grantmaking efforts. Though the foundation was born out of a healthcare system, people are the priority.

Poised to Advance Innovation
Through community collaboration, Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001, focusing on building a culture of health, advancing brain health, and strengthening our local health professions. In addition to funding innovative health programming and initiatives, the foundation has awarded more than $4.6 million in scholarships, helping more than 1,000 graduates enter the healthcare workforce, addressing critical shortages and improving care in Palm Beach County.

Palm Health Foundation’s investment in scholarships echoes back to its hospital roots, but its unique position today allows the support of cutting-edge health innovation. In the foundation’s brain health advancement work, it convenes local brain science institutions, philanthropists, clinicians, artists, researchers, and residents to advance our understanding of the brain and develop new treatments for brain health conditions.

Palm Beach County is home to leading brain science and research institutions, attracting talent from around the world to study and develop new technologies and treatments right here in our backyard. This hospital conversion foundation bridges scientific study with community, poising Palm Beach County to become a national leader in brain health advancement.

Strategic Philanthropy

Your philanthropic interests don’t need to be in any one specific area to find meaningful partnership with your local hospital conversion foundation. These foundations can partner with you in advancing the health cause you – or your client - care about most. In the world of philanthropy, professional advisors, whether they are estate planners, financial planners, or legal professionals, play an essential role in helping clients make informed decisions about their charitable giving.

Whether your clients are interested in supporting immediate health needs or establishing a long-term legacy, health conversion foundations offer a range of giving options that allow donors to tailor their philanthropy and provide potential tax advantages. From tax-efficient donor-advised funds to planned giving strategies, these foundations work with advisors to create personalized plans that align with clients' financial and charitable goals, build a legacy, and make lasting impact.

Because of Palm Health Foundation’s deep roots in the community, their dedicated staff can act as an extension of any advisor or estate attorney working to protect and support Palm Beach County families and can help guide clients who are particularly interested in leaving a legacy for a thriving community. Palm Health Foundation offers a variety of avenues, including one-time donations, legacy planning, cryptocurrency contributions, and donor advised and endowed funds, to give meaningful support of our local health landscape. These opportunities allow donors to tailor their philanthropy to both immediate and long-term health improvements in our community.

Connected and Collaborative

Through strategic philanthropy, community collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to addressing local needs, hospital conversion foundations build healthier, more resilient communities. In Palm Beach County, the ongoing work of Palm Health Foundation is a testament to the enduring value of health conversion foundations.

Your support through thoughtful, strategic philanthropy has the power to make lasting, generational change. By partnering with foundations like Palm Health Foundation and leveraging the expertise of professional advisors, donors can create a legacy of health and well-being that will benefit Palm Beach County for generations to come.

Giving Tuesday 2024

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:11:45 GMT

Giving Tuesday is About Giving Chances to Someone Like Me.

Give a chance to a nurse like me and your generosity will go twice as far.

Despite everything around me, I’m still standing because of the gift a donor made to Palm Health Foundation.

Keosha with her fellow scholars and their donor, Debra Coffman Howe.

About Palm Health Foundation Scholarships

Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $4 million in nursing and behavioral health professions scholarships for advanced education since its founding in 2001. The foundation partners with the George Snow Scholarship Fund to administer scholarships with nursing scholarship funding provided through Palm Health Foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund , and donor advised funds, including The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund , The Alonso Family Neighborhood Healthcare Fund , The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund, The Charles Norton Adams Nursing Endowment Scholarship Fund, The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Fund, The Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund , The Peter & Elinka Ordway Nursing Scholarship Fund, The Madeline and Delaney Nursing Scholarship Fund , and The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund .

Palm Health Foundation Scholarship Reception Filled with Gratitude

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:50:11 GMT

Palm Health Foundation ’s Scholarship Reception on November 2, 2024, brought together nursing and behavioral health scholars with their donors for an inspiring evening at the stunning Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach, FL. Over 190 guests attended the event to celebrate 92 scholarship recipients, the largest group of scholars in the history of the foundation due to a generous gift from Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (SEFBHN). Frances Fisher generously underwrote the reception at ANSG where she serves as chairwoman.

ANSG’s natural gardens and monumental sculptures served as the perfect setting for scholars and their donors to meet each other, all expressing gratitude. Guests and donors thanked the scholars for their dedication to the healthcare workforce of South Florida, and scholars thanked donors for their generosity that enabled them to continue their education.

“The scholarship recipients here tonight are not only the future of South Florida’s healthcare system, but also the heart and soul of our community,” said Fisher. “I am inspired by their dedication, and I am grateful to our donors who are helping to shape a brighter, healthier future for all.”

The $530,000 awarded in needs-based scholarship funds will help address significant shortages in the nursing and behavioral health care workforce. Donor funding will also help humanize health by advancing the careers of healthcare professionals with lived experience and cultural competencies to serve South Florida’s diverse population, a need echoed by Abigail Goodwin, executive vice president of Palm Health Foundation, in her address to scholars.

“Your ability to bridge languages and cultures is critical to providing quality care for our dynamic South Florida communities, making our entire region healthier and stronger,” Goodwin said. “You are here today because you’ve demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a true desire to serve your neighbors. Palm Health Foundation is proud to support, honor, and uplift you as you continue your journey.”

Goodwin closed the event by announcing another gratitude opportunity to donors. From December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, 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 LPN, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs in Palm Beach County.

“Through our charitable funds and with the collaboration of donors, residents, and partners, we are building a culture of health for all in our community,” said Dr. Marsha Fishbane, chair of the Palm Health Foundation Board of Trustees.

Notable attendees at the event included: Frances Fisher, PHF Trustee and scholarship fund holder; Dr. Marsha Fishbane, Palm Health Foundation chair, and trustees Dr. Naelys Luna, Barbara James, Clovis Moodie, and Nathan Nason; scholarship fund holders Debra Coffman Howe, Ann Berner, Dr. Alina Alonso, Denise Bober, and Carrie Browne and Donald Smith-Browne; and Tim Snow, president of George Snow Scholarship Fund.

About Palm Health Foundation Scholarships

Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $4 million in nursing and behavioral health professions scholarships for advanced education since its founding in 2001. The foundation partners with the George Snow Scholarship Fund to administer scholarships with nursing scholarship funding provided through Pam Health Foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund , and donor advised funds, including The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund for those seeking to work in bedside care, The Alonso Family Neighborhood Healthcare Fund , The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund, The Charles Norton Adams Nursing Endowment Scholarship Fund, Diamond Hill Capital Management, The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Fund, The Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund , The Peter & Elinka Ordway Nursing Scholarship Fund, The Madeline and Delaney Nursing Scholarship Fund , and The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund .

The foundation’s behavioral health professions scholarship funding is provided by the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network , which has granted more than $600,000 for behavioral health scholarships since 2023, The Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions at Palm Health Foundation , and donor advised funds, including The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund , The Koehn Family Fund , and The Mike McNamara Scholarship Fund . Scholarship funding continues to elevate Palm Health Foundation’s leadership in advancing brain health and building educational pathways for the next generation of healthcare workers.

Also in the area of behavioral health, Palm Health Foundation’s Brain Health Innovation Fund is dedicated to strengthening the local bonds between scientific research, community supports, and quality care to transform brain health in Palm Beach County. The Brain Coast is sparking shared vision, determination, science, education, collaboration, and investment to transform our region and change the world.

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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 $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation and Partners Unveil The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:39:09 GMT

Palm Health Foundation marked its eighth annual Train the Brain community health campaign during October 2024 with the unveiling of a significant collaborative initiative. On October 24, 2024, over 95 guests gathered at the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University for the launch of The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida , an aspiration endorsed by six Palm Beach County brain health and science visionaries who believe that shared vision, determination, science, education, collaboration, and investment can transform a region and change the world.

The launch partners included:

Palm Health Foundation
Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University
Stiles-Nicholson Foundation
The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network

Many more have committed to advancing this exciting vision with imagination, curiosity, and desire to push the boundaries of brain science and its promise.

Guests at the event were eager to learn about the vision for The Brain Coast, which partners compare to President John F. Kennedy's ambitious goals for American space exploration that accelerated Florida's Space Coast. Evening highlights included ambitious initiatives demonstrating The Brain Coast Vision’s promise and the inspirational journeys that led local scientists, including Palm Health Foundation Computational Brain Science and Health Graduate Fellows, to dedicate their lives to advancing treatment for brain disorders as varied as depression, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and more.

The Brain Coast partners aim to accelerate innovation in diagnosing, treating, and curing neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and other brain conditions that affect 8 to 10 Americans according to the Dana Foundation and Research America . All have signed a Brain Coast vision statement , committing to three pillars:

1: Deepening Brain Science, Education, and Resiliency Through Research
2: Engaging the Community
3: Spurring Innovation to Improve Brain Health, Mental Health, and Community Resilience

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, spoke at the event, sharing with guests, “the Brain Coast is more than a sum of its parts. Many initiatives advancing The Brain Coast Vision are already underway—from creating education-to-career pipeline for STEAM students to residents participating in neuroscience research—setting the course for the massive potential that lies ahead.”

McNamara unveiled the next step for the Brain Coast: forming the Brain Coast Alliance, extending to Miami and enlisting other key partners. Ideas to propel the alliance forward include working collectively to showcase existing talent, efforts and successes of the South Florida brain science and health community; attracting talent to transform brain research and education, leading to regenerative economic growth; and investing in the future of brain health by steering federal, state, regional and private investments to ensure translation of advances in brain science and health for citizens of the Brain Coast and beyond.

“Through the Brain Coast Vision and Alliance, students, researchers, scientists, health professionals, funders, nonprofits, and residents are coming together across South Florida to transform brain health in our local community and around the world,” McNamara said.

Notable attendees at the event included: Dr. Marsha Fishbane, Palm Health Foundation Board Chair; Dr. Randy Blakely, Executive Director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; David J. S. Nicholson, Chairman & Founder, Stiles Nicholson Foundation; LeeAnne LaBanz, Trustee, Stiles Nicholson Foundation; Dr. McLean Bolton, Research Group Leader, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience; Dr. Baoji Xu, Professor, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology; Dr. Michael Dobbs, Chair of the Clinical Neurosciences Department, Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University; Dr. Nicole Baganz, Director of Community Engagement and Programming, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; and Darcy Davis, CEO, Health Care District of Palm Beach County.

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 $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Train the Brain

Palm Beach County Visionaries to Unveil “Brain Coast” Vision During October’s Train the Brain Month

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 20:11:12 GMT

Leaders believe shared vision, determination, science, education, collaboration, and investment can transform the South Florida region and change the world.

Palm Health Foundation ’s eighth annual Train the Brain community health campaign during October 2024 marks the unveiling of a significant collaborative initiative. On October 24, 2024, at the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University, Palm Health Foundation will launch The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida, an aspiration endorsed by six Palm Beach County brain health and science visionaries:

Palm Health Foundation
Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University
Stiles-Nicholson Foundation
The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network

Patrick McNamara, President & CEO, Palm Health Foundation and Dr. Randy Blakely, Executive Director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

Image Credit: Joel Engelhardt, Stet News Palm Beach County

These six partners believe the vision for The Brain Coast is akin to President John F. Kennedy’s ambitious goal for America’s space exploration that accelerated the development of Florida’s Space Coast. Together, they aim to accelerate innovation in diagnosing, treating, and curing neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and other brain conditions that affect 8 to 10 Americans according to the Dana Foundation and Research America . All have signed a Brain Coast vision statement , committing to three pillars:

1: Deepening Brain Science, Education, and Resiliency Through Research
2: Engaging the Community
3: Spurring Innovation to Improve Brain Health, Mental Health, and Community Resilience

As these partners grow their network of partners beyond Palm Beach County to all of South Florida, the three pillars will guide their work to advance the understanding of the human brain, mental health, and resilience, and shape the future of healthcare delivery and societal wellbeing. They envision future partners to span across science, health, education, funding, and the community.

“With world-renowned brain science institutions in our backyard, and science, health, education, and community partners integrated into a growing network focused on brain health, we see the transformational potential for South Florida to become recognized as The Brain Coast over the next decade,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation.

Many initiatives demonstrating The Brain Coast Vision’s promise are already underway:

The Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative becoming the national NeuroArts Blueprint ’s first local Community Arts Coalition Partner
Glades residents leading National Institute of Health-funded Alzheimer’s research at FAU
Palm Health Foundation Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Computational Brain Health Graduate Fellowships

“The Brain Coast is more than a sum of its parts,” McNamara said. “Students, researchers, scientists, health professionals, funders, nonprofits, and residents are coming together across South Florida to transform brain health in our local community and around the world, setting the course for the massive potential that lies ahead.”

If You Go:

What: Launching the Brain Coast Vision
Palm Health Foundation is launching "The Brain Coast Vision," an aspiration toward a thriving brain health ecosystem in South Florida. This vision is partly realized through breakthrough scientific research happening right here in Palm Beach County. Join us to hear the stories behind the science and be inspired by the journeys that led local scientists to dedicate their lives to advancing treatment for brain disorders as varied as depression, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and more.

When: Thursday, October 24, 2024, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Where:
Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University Jupiter Campus, Jupiter, FL 33458

Registration: Free & Open to the Public. Registration Required - Seating is Limited.
Register at palmhealthfoundation.org/events

Contact info@phfpbc.org with event questions.

# # #

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 $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Train the Brain

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Palm Health Foundation Appoints New Community Investment Committee Members

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 20:00:20 GMT

Palm Beach County leaders will guide foundation’s grantmaking initiatives to help residents thrive and reach their full health potential.

Palm Health Foundation announced today the appointments of three Palm Beach County leaders to its Community Investment Committee. The new committee members will guide the foundation’s grantmaking initiatives to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration across three strategic priority areas: building a culture of health through community-led solutions; advancing brain health; and strengthening the healthcare workforce. The foundation’s Community Investment Committee’s investments have averaged $2.4 million a year and totaled over $93 million since 2001.

The new Palm Health Foundation Community Investment Committee members are:

Elisa Cramer , Director of the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department and West Palm Beach resident
Jyothi Gunta MD, MPH , Director of the Florida Department of Health-Palm Beach County, Palm Health Foundation trustee, and Village of Wellington resident
Lisa Kirk Wiese, Ph.D. , associate professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Palm Health Foundation trustee, and Boca Raton resident

All three bring diverse experiences to the foundation and its strategic priorities.

Elisa Cramer is a local leader in addressing the mental health, enrichment and safety needs of youth. In her current role, she oversees a wide range of services, including residential, school-based, and community behavioral healthcare, summer programs, youth violence prevention programs, education and employment opportunities, and coordination with community providers. She co-chairs the Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures Alliance and the “Creating a Trauma Sensitive Community” and “Safety and Justice” Action Teams. In her prior role, Cramer served as the Acting Regional Managing Director and Circuit Community Development Administrator for the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Dr. Gunta’s professional interests and expertise, including obesity medicine, occupational medicine, health and wellness, education, and policy, align with Palm Health Foundation’s mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County. She has several years of experience as a medical director in family practice, preventive health services, obesity medicine, urgent care and occupational and environmental health. She has demonstrated leadership within multiple healthcare systems and outpatient practices including the Veterans Health Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Wiese is a trailblazer in resident-led health solutions. She includes community in every stage of her work, from training residents to collect health data, to profiling their contributions in her scholarly presentations and publications. Dr. Wiese’s research and scholarly work is focused on increasing understanding, early detection, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease in rural populations. She has partnered with Palm Health Foundation and its Healthier Glades initiative to study and implement solutions to overcome rural health disparities.

“Palm Health Foundation is fortunate to have these three accomplished and community-focused health leaders join our committee,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO. “They understand how to humanize health and will make thoughtful decisions on where we invest our funding to impact the behavioral, social, and environmental conditions at the root of health inequity. I know they will make our donors proud.”

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A PHF Scholar Dedicated to Supporting her Hispanic Community

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 13:19:18 GMT

Palm Health Foundation behavioral health scholarship recipient Beatriz Moreno remembers the first time she was made aware that she was a first-generation student.

“I was applying to colleges in my junior year of high school with my high school counselor and I had to answer what level of education my parents had completed,” said the Argentine American scholar. “As I sat there, I realized that neither of my parents had completed a college degree in the United States. I was the eldest child to start that journey.”

It was the beginning of her educational pursuit to combine her interest in behavioral health with her passion for helping people from Hispanic cultures.

“Stigma surrounds mental health in the Hispanic community,” she said. “It prevents people from receiving the proper supports, especially when acculturating to a new way of life. And it affects their children.”

From September 1 to October 31, 2024, Palm Health Foundation will match 100% of donor contributions to The Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions for students like Beatriz. Your gift will create change for good in the life of a student, a family, and a community, as we build a culture of health together.

Building our Culture of Health Network

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:26:24 GMT

In April, Palm Health Foundation and partners convened at the Community Changemakers Gathering to celebrate the Culture of Health Network that formed The Community Changemakers Fund , and learn about the projects that applied for and received funding to continue their health advancement work.

Following the event, Heather DeStefano, our director of grants and community partnerships, and Jeanette Gordon of McArthur’s Own , were interviewed on 104.7 The Flame radio to share about the Culture of Health Network’s innovative, collaborative process for advancing Palm Beach County Health.

NeuroArts in Our Schools

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 17:50:51 GMT

The Palm Beach County School District’s Department of Behavioral and Mental Health provided a Summer Institute for our 180 school behavioral health professionals, focusing on how the neuroarts contribute to mental health and well-being.

This focus was influenced by Palm Health Foundation and the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative . We supported the Summer Institute, and purchased Your Brain on Art books for all school behavioral health professionals.

Supporting neuroarts learning ties into our work to advance brain health , in our county and beyond.

Glades Senior Citizen Prom is a “Night to Remember”

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:22:10 GMT

Highlights of the evening included a moment to remember Mrs. Mary Harrell, who attended all of the proms before her passing. Her daughter Cynthia Harrell-Baker donated her 360’ Photo Booth for the seniors to enjoy. Other highlights included honoring the kings and queens, longest married couples, and the oldest residents from each city.

Janet B. Taylor, former Hendry County Commissioner from Clewiston, and Teri Mitze, Representative Rick Roth’s district aide, were two of the many dignitaries attending the prom and naming the kings and queens from each community. City leaders joining the prom included: Pahokee’s Mayor Keith Babb, Vice Mayor Clara “Tasha” Murvin, and Commissioners Sanquetta Cowan-Williams and Everett D. McPherson, Sr.; South Bay’s Mayor Joe Kyles and Commissioners Albert Polk and Barbara King; and Belle Glade’s Mayor Steve Wilson and Commissioner Robert L. Rease.

Many organizations contributed to the event to make it an enjoyable evening for all. Dress for Success, Prom Beach, Commissioner Albert Polk & Mayor Kyles donated dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories. Event sponsors included US Sugar, AARP, Devoted Health, and the Cities of Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay. Vendors were also on hand to offer information and goodies to the seniors, including AARP, Devoted Health, Legal Aide, Empire Women Health, Area Agency on Aging, and Pace.

About Healthier Glades

Healthier Glades launched in the fall of 2017 in the historically underserved rural area of Palm Beach County with rich culture and agricultural assets. “The Glades” is the collective of four communities—Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, and the unincorporated community of Canal Point—located in the western section of the county along Lake Okeechobee. Healthier Glades’ focus is behavioral health, with the goal for residents to thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The Cooke Family Fund Invests in a Brain Coast Vision

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:08:47 GMT

Patty’s love for Palm Health Foundation’s innovative approach led her and Peter to open The Cooke Family Fund, a donor advised fund dedicated to brain health, mental health, and the neuroarts.

A Foundation for Growth

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 19:48:56 GMT

A Conversation with Palm Health Foundation Trustee Nathan E. Nason

Nathan E. "Nat" Nason, of counsel at Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero P.A., has seen a lot of growth and change in Palm Beach County over the last six decades. He remembers when Singer Island’s highest building was only four stories tall, and the Colonnades Beach Hotel owned by billionaire John D. McArthur in Palm Beach Shores was the “it” place to be. He’s had a front-row seat to growth in his career as well. As the eighth employee to join his father's former law firm in 1985, the firm has now grown to four offices in Florida and 48 attorneys. When Nat was elected to Palm Health Foundation’s board of trustees in 2017, he saw it as an opportunity to expand his personal impact on a county—and a philanthropic organization—on the move.

Q: Why is brain health important to you?

A: I have family members who have been affected by neurodegenerative diseases and drug addiction. Many of us do. It’s touched me on a personal level. And when you see people struggling on the streets, or you talk to Sherriff Bradshaw, you realize it is a pervasive problem. I can’t close my eyes to it. It’s there. The vision Patrick has for Palm Beach County becoming a “ Brain Coast ,” and our partnerships with FAU Brain Institute, Max Planck, and others, plus our investments in mental/behavioral health professions scholarships and fellowships are what’s needed to get the ball rolling.

Three Fun Facts About Nat Nason:

Q: How have you seen Palm Health Foundation grow?

A: When I first joined, it was one of the best-kept secrets in the Palm Beach County philanthropic community. Now, our mission and what we do are beginning to resonate with the community and our story is being told. It’s like a snowball getting bigger as it rolls downhill. People are giving their time, joining committees, and donating because what we’re doing is good stuff.

Palm Health Foundation Appoints Ernest Dumenigo Accounting and Grants Coordinator

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 19:28:29 GMT

Salute to Nursing

Wed, 29 May 2024 20:21:56 GMT

We celebrated National Nurses Week (May 6-12) by honoring nurses near and dear to Palm Health Foundation in South Florida Hospital News’ “Salute to Nursing” issue.

Lisa Kirk Wiese, Ph.D., Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Dercas Caneus, BSN, Florida Atlantic University

Stephanie Kurzejewski, BSN, RN

“I get to pay forward what nurses have done for my family by ensuring my patients feel heard and truly cared for.”

>> You can view the full South Florida Hospital News “Salute to Nursing” issue here !

"Mama Said, Daddy Did" Podcast Mini-Series Launch

Wed, 15 May 2024 15:49:27 GMT

"Mama Said, Daddy Did” is a 3-episode podcast mini-series that explores brain health wisdom passed down through generations and how we as a community can apply that wisdom into our daily practices for a healthier, more balanced life.

Youth Talent Explosion Dazzles Audience in Riviera Beach

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:47:32 GMT

The inaugural Riviera Beach Youth Explosion on April 6, 2024, at the United House of Prayer drew 225 attendees to a talent extravaganza showcasing the incredible youth singers, dancers, and instrumentalists from Lake Park, Riviera Beach, and West Palm Beach. Over 80 youth aged 5-18 delivered eleven outstanding performances, including choirs, groups, and solo acts to entertain the awe-struck audience and compete for cash prizes ranging from $200 to $500.

Judges Edwin Ferguson and Marsha Andrews from the School District of Palm Beach County and Shirley Lanier, Doug Lawson, and Julia Botel of the Riviera Beach City Council chose the winners in song, dance, and instrumental categories among a sea of talent.

The winners, all from Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach, were:

Singing

1st Place - Seanna Simmons
2nd Place - Nathan Butler
3rd Place - Caleb, Gabriel, and Jokim Washington
Honorarium - Grace Rhoden

Dance

1st Place – Faith’s Place Jubilant Dancers
2nd Place – RJH Praisers, R.J. Hendley Christian Community School

Instrumental

1st Place - Faith's Place Marching Line
2nd Place - Jeremiah Aboderin
3rd Place - Nathaniel Gayle
Honorarium - Elijah Jackson
Honorarium - Travis Jackson II

The Riveria Beach Youth Explosion was organized by Rev. Willie Lawrence and Eld. Joel Simmons of Tenacity Foundation . Palm Health Foundation sponsored the event in support of the arts' effects on the brain to promote health and wellbeing. Several organizations also contributed to the success of the event, including the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, the Florida Department of Children and Families, Urban Farmers, Inc., and Federation of Families of Florida, Inc. The United House of Prayer For All People provided the event location and volunteer staff.

Organizers and sponsors see the competition as an important opportunity for youth to showcase their gifts and talents to positively impact their development. Organizers are seeking connections for the youth in the local arts and music community where they can continue to advance their talent.

“The Youth Explosion is a way for the community to come together to celebrate the incredible creativity and talent of our young residents while boosting their confidence,” said Rev. Willie Lawrence. “We want to support their passions and offer them a pathway to pursue their dreams, knowing there is an entire community rallying behind them.”

Dignitaries and local leaders attending the event included:

Community leaders: Mack Bernard, PBC Board of County Commissioners; Riviera Beach Mayor Ron Felder; Ms. J. Brown, Assistant to Mayor
Business leaders: Terry Booty, President and CEO, Urban Farmers , Inc.; C. Ron Allen, Aviation Specialist and Local Community Youth Leader/Mentor; Njeri Kinyanjui, CEO and Serial Entrepreneur of American Businesses
Musicians/talent connections: Reggie Dee, 104.7; Davy Yue; and Sharon & Willie Spence, Sr., parents of Willie Spence, the runner-up in season 19 of American Idol, who passed away in 2022

The next Youth Explosion will be held on June 22nd at 6pm in Belle Glade.

Community Changemakers Fund Makes First Investment in Building a Culture of Health Network

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 15:32:32 GMT

The Community Changemakers Fund (CCF) at Palm Health Foundation announced its first 21 grant awards totaling $186,500. Seven local funders are supporting the fund, all part of a growing Culture of Health Network comprised of changemakers committed to improving Palm Beach County’s health. Funders include the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the Frederick A. Deluca Foundation, Lost Tree Foundation, Palm Health Foundation, Quantum Foundation, and the United Way of Palm Beach County.

Funders were inspired to create the CCF after Palm Beach County won the 2020-2021 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize in recognition of the way residents take the lead in creating solutions to build healthier communities. The CCF is investing in the individuals, organizations, and businesses committed to community change and is connecting them with like-minded changemakers to share project ideas and resources.

Judging by the initial response to the CCF application process, the Palm Beach County community is eager to create change. The CCF received an astounding 288 applications from individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits with operating budgets under $500,000 showcasing their ideas for improving health and well-being and their drive to create solutions in their communities. While 21 applicants received grant awards, all 288 will become part of a Culture of Health Network and have the opportunity for mentorship and connections with peers across the county.

“We have all seen how one person’s idea, given some funding and support, can grow into a solution that can impact an entire community,” said Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. “That’s the spirit of the CCF. Now Palm Beach County has an entire network of changemakers to share ideas and learn from each other as we build a culture of health, neighborhood by neighborhood.”

Funded projects address a wide variety of issues affecting health and well-being, including equitable access to behavioral health services; community violence; maternal health; fathers' rights as parents; funding for school uniforms; support for cancer and chronic illnesses; and healing through the arts.

“We listened to community voices for traditional and non-traditional ways to impact health and well-being,” said Patrick McNamara, President and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “What’s different is that these are people who are personally connected to the issue they want to solve. We’re investing in their passion and power to unlock change.”

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About the Community Changemakers Fund

The Community Changemakers Fund invests in new approaches to grantmaking, and in place-based practitioners, changemakers, and community organizers. Palm Beach County grantmakers are exploring innovative ways to support local changemakers; this fund supports that work. Grounded in the work that led to our county's Culture of Health Prize win , and recognizing that changemakers often don’t have sufficient investment in their personal and professional development, this fund will honor the work of those committed to community change by directly investing in them.

Palm Health Foundation Welcomes Dr. Lisa Wiese to its Board of Trustees

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 19:47:34 GMT

“Dr. Wiese has brought knowledge, experience, and investment to Palm Beach County and our Glades region to empower and improve the lives of residents,” said Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO. “She includes community in every stage of her work, from training residents to collect health data, to profiling their contributions in her scholarly presentations and publications. Dr. Wiese exemplifies our belief in resident-led health solutions and will be a guiding voice on our board of trustees for years to come.”

Dr. Wiese is the recipient of over 5 million dollars in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Florida Department of Health. She is the principal investigator for a recent five-year, $4.2 million R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging of the NIH in collaboration with the University of Miami, Colorado State University, and Washington State University to study “The Role of Air Quality and Built Environment in Social Isolation and Cognitive Function Among Rural, Racially/Ethnically Diverse Residents at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease.” The project will involve 1,087 Glades region adults ages 45 and older who have not been previously diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. A key factor in the work has been the continuous engagement of rural community residents and organizations in the design, implementation, and evaluation of research to decrease dementia risk.

Dr. Wiese received her M.S. in Nursing from the University of Virginia, her Ph.D. in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University, and a post-graduate certificate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Drexel University. She is board-certified in Advanced Public Health Nursing, Gerontological Nursing, and Rural Health Nursing. Dr. Wiese was selected as a 2021 Hartford Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing and 2023 Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America. She serves on the Florida State Health Improvement Plan taskforce and co-launched a new Rural Health Disparities workgroup of the Alzheimer’s Association Diversity/Disparities PIA of ISTAART. She was selected to attend the first annual Alzheimer’s Association Interdisciplinary Summer Research Institute (2021) and the 2023 IMPACT-AD training, related to her work with rural, racially/ethnically diverse older adults. This workgroup's investigation into global rural health disparities was recently published in the Alzheimer's and Dementia journal.

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Empower Healthcare Partners with Healthier Glades to Promote Heart Health in Pahokee

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 19:06:48 GMT

On February 3, 2023, the Empower Healthcare clinic in Pahokee, FL, partnered with Healthier Glades, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, for “Know Your Numbers by Heart,” a special event to promote heart health during American Heart Month. Fifty attendees came to the Senior Resource Room in Pahokee for rapid A1C and cholesterol screenings, nutritional counseling, live CPR demonstrations, and education about preventing heart disease. Testing and information were provided by seventeen community partners, including the American Heart Association, Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and the Diabetes Coalition of Palm Beach County.

According to the 2022 Palm Beach County, Florida Community Health Assessment, heart disease was the leading cause of death in Palm Beach County. What’s more, Black Americans—the majority in Pahokee—are 54% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than White Americans, due to distinct risk factors like genetics and systemic disparities.

Empower Health, under the leadership of its founder Dr. Jinga Oglesby-Brihm, has been focused on comprehensive and innovative chronic disease management for the rural Glades community since the clinic opened on the campus of First United Methodist Church in 2022. The heart health event is one of many ways she integrates local and county partners to improve patient health education and access to care. “We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with the community to provide free potentially lifesaving screenings and educational sessions,” she said.

Healthier Glades and Palm Health Foundation have invested in Dr. Oglesby-Brihm to support her goal to “break the chains of healthcare disparity.” A Healthier Glades mini-grant provided funding to deliver healthcare services through churches in the Glades, and a Palm Health Foundation scholarship supported her doctoral studies at FAU College of Nursing, her first exposure to the Glades’ healthcare disparities.

Dr. Oglesby-Brihm’s comprehensive, innovative care for the rural Glades community has also captured national recognition. She placed second in the American Heart Association’s 2022 Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator, awarding her training and a grant of $25,000 to help her grow her health clinic.

“Dr. Oglesby-Brihm and Empower Healthcare are building a culture of health in the Glades by building trust,” said Annie Ifill, Healthier Glades project director. “Her love of the people of our region and her approach to delivering health and services through her clinic and out in the community through events like “Know Your Numbers by Heart,” are helping to overcome disparities and lead the way to a better quality of life.”

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About Empower Healthcare

Empower Healthcare, Inc. is committed to strengthening the communities of Palm Beach County by increasing healthcare access regardless of the ability to pay. We offer primary care services that can be accessed in our clinic, via virtual visits or house calls. We are dedicated to empowering YOU to improve your health through personalized, relationship-based care. Our compassionate, patient-focused services provided by the Empower Healthcare Team, with free health educational seminars, and chronic disease management programs will equip you as you partner with us to take charge of your health.

About the Healthier Together Initiative

Healthier Together is a resident-led, community-driven grantmaking approach developed by Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. This strategic initiative convenes residents to address a variety of social, economic, and environmental factors that affect health outcomes. Healthier Together engages residents in creating their own solutions to make positive, healthy changes in the neighborhoods where they live, work, and play. To learn more, visit healthiertogetherpbc.org.

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 $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Releases Annual Report

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 20:06:21 GMT

Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s leading community foundation for health, announced the release of its 2023 annual report . Entitled "Humanizing Health," the report describes the foundation's innovative approach to health philanthropy and how it is maximizing the impact of donor contributions.

The foundation’s president and CEO, Patrick McNamara, believes the report demonstrates the value of community collaboration fueled by philanthropy. “We are prioritizing the lived experiences of our neighbors and fostering community collaboration to guide our solutions to Palm Beach County’s greatest health needs,” he said. “Artists and musicians are coming together with world-class brain institutions to enhance the well-being of residents with Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases. Scholarship donors are developing bonds with nursing and behavioral health students. And health, government, and faith leaders are joining together with residents to create new solutions for health and wellness in their communities.”

The foundation granted $2.4 million in 2023 and reported nearly $86 million in total assets. Highlights from the report include:

Advancing Brain Health. Through The NeuroArts Fund, the foundation and its donors and partners are pioneering an emerging “brain coast,” with a vision to become as highly recognized as Florida’s Space Coast. Funding in 2023 supported learning about the neuroarts’ potential to impact mental health and neurodegenerative diseases.

Building a Culture of Health. A collaboration with fellow Palm Beach County funders resulted in the new Community Changemakers Fund at Palm Health Foundation with $250,000 raised in 2023. A portion of the funds supported education for nearly 40 local change agents to advance their skills and increase their networks. The majority of the fund will support grants for resident and community-led ideas to address health inequities in vulnerable neighborhoods in 2024.

Strengthening the Health Professions. Over $192,000 in scholarships was awarded to nursing and behavioral health students with lived experience and a desire to serve Palm Beach County’s diverse communities, especially those with health disparities.

The report also shines a light on the meaningful connections made between donors and beneficiaries. With Palm Health Foundation's donor-advised funds, families can build their philanthropic legacy while supporting the change leaders in our community.

“Our donors help us fulfill our mission and our aspiration for all residents to have opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential,” said David Wisehaupt, immediate past chair of the foundation. “We always come to better solutions together than any of us would come to alone.”

Palm Health Foundation Celebrates the Spirit of Philanthropy at Scholarship Reception

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:53:24 GMT

Palm Health Foundation ’s Scholarship Reception on January 24, 2024, brought together nursing and behavioral health scholars with their donors for an inspiring evening at the stunning Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach, FL. Over 150 guests attended the event to celebrate 73 scholars and the spirit of philanthropy that resulted in $687,000 in awarded scholarships to support the future careers of aspiring South Florida health professionals. Frances Fisher generously underwrote the reception at ANSG where she serves as chairwoman.

An unprecedented number of donors contributed to Palm Health Foundation’s scholarship funds in 2023, including a pivotal $400,000 contribution from the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (SEFBHN). Dr. Marsha Fishbane, Palm Health Foundation board chair, noted the significance of the scholarship program to Palm Beach County. “Through our support of the nursing and behavioral health professions, we are ensuring that our residents receive the person-centered care they need and deserve.”

One of the evening’s highlights included foundation trustee Dr. Christine Koehn sharing why she and her husband Rich decided to create The Koehn Family Fund for behavioral health and nursing scholarships. “We know that there aren’t enough behavioral health and nursing professionals in the field,” she said. “After hearing the scholars’ stories of the financial barriers they face and the heart they want to give, we knew we wanted to help.”

Several other scholarship donor advised funds were recognized at the event, including The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund , The Alonso Family Neighborhood Healthcare Fund , The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund, The Charles Norton Adams Nursing Endowment Scholarship Fund, Diamond Hill Capital Management, The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Fund, The Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund , The Peter & Elinka Ordway Nursing Scholarship Fund, The Solomon Silber Children and Families Fund , and The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund . Nursing scholarships were also provided by the Palm Health Foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund and a donation from Valley National Bank. The foundation’s behavioral health professions scholarship funding was provided by the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network , The Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions at Palm Health Foundation , and donor advised funds, including The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund , The John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund , and The Mike McNamara Scholarship Fund .

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, closed the evening by thanking all for their contributions. “To our scholars, you are here because you have demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a true desire to serve your neighbors,” he said. “To our donors, thank you for playing a significant role in developing these professionals for the betterment of our community’s health.”

Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $4.6 million in health professions scholarships since its founding in 2001. Scholarships are administered by the George Snow Scholarship Fund and encourage individuals with financial need to enter and advance in the nursing and mental/behavioral health professions. For information about donating or creating a scholarship fund, please contact Carrie Browne, director of stewardship and strategic partnerships, (561) 837-2281, carrieb@phfpbc.org , or visit palmhealthfoundation.org/for-donors .

Dr. Marsha Fishbane Elected Palm Health Foundation Board Chair

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:03:31 GMT

Dr. Fishbane has also been a key advocate of the foundation’s Healthier Together place-based funding effort, which was a major contributor to Palm Beach County winning the 2020-2021 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Culture of Health Prize . “I’m proud to lead Palm Health Foundation at a time when they are capturing local and national attention for their ground-breaking health initiatives,” said Dr. Fishbane. “The foundation’s staff, board of directors, and community partners are dedicated to building a culture of health, advancing brain health, and strengthening the health professions—all initiatives I am personally and professionally committed to advancing.”

Dr. Fishbane is a resident of Singer Island and a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Her pediatric training was completed at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She was a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar and obtained a master’s in science from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

As a medical professional, she was in private pediatric practice for six years before moving into a 30-year career in public health with the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, where she held the positions of community and school health division director and school health medical director before her retirement. Her leadership commitments have included the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention/Teen Parenting Coalition, the Florida Coordinated School Health Partnership, and the Wellness Promotion Policy Task Force with the School District of Palm Beach County.

Dr. Fishbane’s favorite pastimes are traveling and keeping up with her three daughters and three grandchildren.

At the Intersection of Code Compliance and Compassion

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 21:19:37 GMT

BEFORE:

Yolanda Robinson, assistant community sustainability director of code compliance for the City of Lake Worth Beach, is well aware of the perception residents have of her office.

“Code has always been the fear division,” she said.

Ms. Robinson has witnessed the anguish a violation can inflict on a household that doesn’t have the financial means to take corrective action to pressure clean a mold-blackened driveway, repair a shattered window, or remove overgrown tree limbs.

“My first initial thought was trouble and fear, because no one wants to get that post-it from the city hall saying you need to fix this and fix that, knowing that you don’t have the funds to fix it yourself,” said a young resident who found a violation on the front door of the home he shares with his grandmother. “It’s a very scary situation to be in.”

“I’ve heard horror stories about people being unable to pay the fines and losing their houses,” said another resident.

Code violation may not seem like a health issue to some, but the immediate stress it creates—and the prolonged stress from living in a home in need of repair—can affect residents’ mental and physical health. What’s more, researchers at RAND have found that toxic stress can increase in marginalized communities from an accumulation of despair, discrimination, and disparity, generation after generation. They discovered that the communities with stronger social ties, a more inclusive and responsive government, and a community narrative of facing challenges and overcoming them, were the ones that responded well and recovered.

Carmelle Marcelin-Chapman, project director of Healthier Lake Worth Beach (HLWB), a Palm Health Foundation-funded initiative, did not need the research. She’s lived it by convening residents and local government to build a cleaner, greener, and safer Lake Worth Beach for better health. HLWB partnered with Ms. Robinson and the city to create the Neighborhood Health/Code Compliance Curb Appeal Project in partnership with the City of Lake Worth Beach Code Compliance Division and the nonprofit organization Arms of Hope Community, Inc.

Once a resident shares their financial challenge for correcting a code violation, HLWB quickly responds.

“We told them that we couldn’t afford to do those things, and then a few days later Carmelle and her team came knocking at our door,” a resident commented.

Volunteer teams contributed 200 service hours and businesses provided $15,000 in in-kind resources to aid residents ages 55-75 with health issues on limited incomes to repair fences, trim trees, remove yard debris, and more for 15 households.

“Because of Healthier Lake Worth Beach, we have a more compassionate side of code,” said Ms. Robinson.

Residents like Leslie have experienced that compassion and the benefit of Healthier Lake Worth Beach building a culture of health. “Thank you for giving me peace of mind instead of asking myself, ‘what am I going to do, how am I going to do all of this,’ everyday.”

AFTER:

View more on the story:

Code Compliance Story - November 2026

Honoring a Trustee with a Heart of Gold

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 20:58:15 GMT

When Ruth Schwarzkopf completed her nine-year term as a Palm Health Foundation (PHF) trustee in December 2023, she left a legacy that began not in the boardroom, but a ballroom.

About a decade before she joined the board, Ruth attended the foundation’s inaugural Nursing Celebration at The Breakers Palm Beach. She was a hospital nursing director at the time and had never seen any significant acknowledgement of nurses anywhere. “To have somebody say nursing is a special and unique profession and recognize the dedication and the hard work we do every day was amazing to me,” Ruth said.

She was hooked.

Ruth advanced as a nursing leader within Tenet Health while at the same time becoming one of the foundation’s most dedicated volunteers. In the years prior to joining the board, she took on numerous committee and advocacy roles to support the foundation’s work to strengthen the nursing profession and improve the quality of healthcare in Palm Beach County.

Once she became a trustee in 2014, she guided grant investments and leadership as a member of the Community Investment Committee and Nominating and Board Governance Committee. And she led on evolving the foundation’s nursing recognition and scholarship programs, the most meaningful experiences for her. “When you read scholarship applications, you see how people are willing to overcome hardships in their own lives to go to nursing school,” Ruth said. “We can say to them, ‘come here, we’ll help you.’”

Ruth was instrumental in helping the foundation help others on a larger scale through the Volunteer Nurse Corps. First established by PHF in 2016, the program is administered by the School of Nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic University and utilizes volunteer nurses to provide health information, education, and care to vulnerable populations in Palm Beach County—a role that was critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, and where Ruth’s leadership was invaluable.

Ruth’s care and compassion extend to her giving. She established The Schwarzkopf Family Greatest Need Fund at Palm Health Foundation to support evolving community challenges. “I put all my trust in the board and being good stewards of the foundation’s assets,” she said. “It’s one of the hardest working, most dynamic, dedicated boards I’ve ever been on, and the staff and their enormous engagement with community and understanding their needs really makes PHF stand out.”

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, describes Ruth as “a true nursing leader who can see through the complexity of our ever-changing healthcare system to ensure the patient’s needs always come first. She cares deeply about people. We’ve experienced it in her leadership of the foundation, particularly during the pandemic when she served as our eyes and ears for how we could best support healthcare professionals and the community. And we have experienced it in her friendship. She is always the first trustee to congratulate staff on milestones with handwritten notes and a kind word. She sets the example for healthcare professionals to lead with compassion—which she will continue to do for a long time as a volunteer for the foundation and in the nursing community.”

The feeling is mutual. “I know what a hardworking dedicated group they are, and I only expect great things to continue,” Ruth said.

Healthier Glades Awards $30,000 in “Mini-Grants” to Promote Behavioral Health

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 20:34:08 GMT

Funding puts the power of change in the hands of residents and nonprofit agencies.

Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative, has granted $30,000 in mini-grant awards to fund resident-led and grassroots organizations to develop programs focused on health and wellness, storytelling, and advocacy for youth. Ten recipients received $3,000 each to pursue their innovative ideas that will benefit resident and youth behavioral health in 2024. Healthier Glades has awarded nearly $129,000 in grants to residents and organizations since 2019.

Over 50 people gathered for the awards celebration on December 16, 2023, at the Belle Glade Civic Center to recognize mini-grant recipients. Local leaders attending the event included Belle Glade City Commissioner Mary Wilkerson, Corey Murphy, community impact officer from the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and Florida State Representative Rick Roth.

Healthier Glades’ unique approach to behavioral health brings together residents, grassroots initiatives, and organizations to unlock community strengths, elevating and investing in the ideas that the community believes hold the most promise to change lives and the narrative around mental health.

“Our residents are closest to our community’s challenges and have the talent and knowledge to make an impact,” said Annie Ifill, Healthier Glades project director. “We’re investing in homegrown solutions delivered by trusted people in our region.”

Anquonette Irving, Prolific Readers , will encourage a passion for reading among youth and improve behavioral health and wellness by providing social and emotional reading books.
Beverly Lee, Advocacy Support , will empower parents with skills and support to advocate for school age children with special needs.
Mona King, Music for the Heart and Soul , will provide musical therapy to Glades region senior citizens who have age-related memory issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Jessica Garcia, I Am Chosen , will prepare youth/young adults to enter the workforce prepared, educated, confident and with a professionalism mindset.
Shresse Lumpkin, ME , will strengthen youth self-awareness, discovery, and management through education on nutrition, storytelling, and advocacy in collaboration with the faith community.
Steve Messam, Youth Sports Media Academy , will establish a dynamic Youth Sports Media Academy dedicated to showcasing the talents, aspirations, and stories of young athletes in the Glades communities.
Nepoleon Collins, MOT Behavioral and Physical Health Program , will support the "Men of Tomorrow Wellness Program" to improve the behavioral and physical health of local community high school boys.
Queens Justice Holistic Services, Maternal Health Support Groups , will implement a maternal health support group to pre/post-natal women in the Glades.
Glades Area Ministerial Association, Crossroads Faith-based Values Youth Summit , will offer Glades youth in the juvenile justice system, the opportunity to participate in a faith-based “Chosen To Overcome” mentoring program.
LetCo Community Development, Inc., Mentoring Minds Mission , will partner with two alternative schools and provide mentoring services and academic support.

President and CEO of Palm Health Foundation Patrick McNamara values the impact the mini-grants will have on residents in the Glades region. “The mini-grants this year are exactly the kinds of ideas we seek to invest in—those that prioritize the experiences of people rather than systems,” he said. “When we listen to the voices of our neighbors, we are valuing the human experience and the important roles we all play in building a culture of health.”

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About the Healthier Together Initiative
Healthier Together is a resident-led, community-driven grantmaking approach developed by Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. This strategic initiative convenes residents to address a variety of social, economic, and environmental factors that affect health outcomes. Healthier Together engages residents in creating their own solutions to make positive, healthy changes in the neighborhoods where they live, work and play. To learn more, visit healthiertogetherpbc.org .

Your Gift + Their Grit

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:53:09 GMT

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

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.

Learn more about Palm Health Foundation’s Nursing Scholarships Match!

Giving Tuesday 2023

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:46:47 GMT

Whose memory will you honor? Whose future will you change?

Special gifts mark the most meaningful moments and memories of our lives. For Carrie Browne and her family, the gift of The Madeline and Delaney Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation is a commemoration of their precious twins who would have turned 21 this year. It is also a legacy to create a new generation of nurses to care for and comfort patients and families in the same way the Brownes’ experienced in their time of need.

This Giving Tuesday, we are honoring the Brownes and their new fund by announcing our gift to you. Palm Health Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $10,000 to create your own nursing scholarship fund, or to double the gift you make to existing fund, between November 28, 2023, and January 31, 2024. Honor or memorialize someone special—maybe it’s you—and have their legacy live on through the nurses who will always be remembered, too.

The Brownes have never forgotten the nurses who cared for Madeline and Delaney. And now aspiring nurses will carry their daughters’ names with them throughout their careers, giving back from a gift that started on Giving Tuesday.

Our Story

On July 10th, 2003, our family was blessed with the arrival of our twins, Madeline and Delaney. Born prematurely and diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, their brief yet impactful time with us has left an indelible mark on our hearts.

In the NICU, the nurses became our unwavering support. With their kindness, professionalism, and honesty, they celebrated each milestone with Madeline and Delaney, embodying empathy and compassion through every challenge.

During those precious days, we came to understand their distinct personalities. Madeline, serene and delicate, was soothed by a nurse-crafted waterbed made from an IV bag. Gentle whispers were the key to keeping her oxygen levels stable. Delaney, our vibrant firecracker, responded best to strong, confident tones, especially during medical procedures.

Our family's steadfast support was equally powerful. They surrounded us with strength and love, sharing in our journey. The girls, inheriting my red hair and Donnie's adorable toes, forever symbolize the deep bond of our family.

Though Madeline and Delaney couldn't stay with us, they forever remain a cherished part of our family's story. We honor their memory each year, celebrating their lives with a special cake chosen by their brothers, Jake and Nicolas. This year, commemorating their 21st birthday, we are honoring them uniquely through The Madeline and Delaney Scholarship Fund .

Grantee Spotlight: Wellington Cares

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:28:58 GMT

Palm Health Foundation is proud to support Wellington Cares , an organization dedicated to serving the aging and isolated. With limited free resources available to seniors, Wellington Cares steps in to provide services that allow our neighbors to age in place and improve their quality of life.

This volunteer-run organization is lead by individuals who feel that helping their neighbors is actually improving their quality of life in turn. Strong friendships and bonds drive Wellington Cares’ success, and volunteers are often the first to notice a health issue and intervene on behalf of their neighbor in need.

Palm Health Foundation is building a culture of health for all in Palm Beach County by partnering with impactful organizations like Wellington Cares.

Over 320 Attendees Engage with Arts to “Train Their Brains” Thanks to Palm Health Foundation and Partners

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 14:44:55 GMT

Free events during the foundation’s October 2023 Train the Brain campaign
demonstrated how creative and expressive art experiences positively impact the brain,
body, and behavior, leading to better overall health.

Palm Health Foundation ’s seventh annual Train the Brain community health campaign drew over 320 attendees to three free community events focused on “Advancing Wellness Through the Neuroarts” during October 2023. The events were held throughout Palm Beach County to demonstrate the connections between the brain, body, and behavior while celebrating the local arts and culture community. The enlightening and interactive events included:

“The Art of Learning: A Cross-Curricular Art Show & Symposium” on October 19th, featured educators and elementary students at Florida Atlantic’s A.D. Henderson & FAU High School in Boca Raton demonstrating how art can enhance learning for students and people of all ages. Attendees learned from an FAU educator, Lindsey Wuest, and neuroscientist, Dr. David Cinalli, that integrating art into curriculum strengthens memory and recall of taught concepts, even in complex science lessons. They also discovered how art boosts student social and emotional wellness. Attendees were treated to a collection of student art that showcased their creativity intertwined with their neuroscience discoveries. The event was presented in partnership with FAU Lab Schools and the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.

“The Power of Public Art: A Lunch & Learn” on October 24th, in partnership with the City of Boynton Beach and the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center, featured a presentation about the importance of art installations in public environments by artist and mental health professional Brian Wood and a walking tour led by the city’s public art coordinator, Stacy Irsay. Attendees learned the science behind how public art benefits health, including anxiety management and regulation of emotions, and how it can improve residents’ perceptions, build community, and combat feelings of social isolation.

“The Science of Singing” on October 26 ^th at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium dazzled and entertained attendees who learned how singing—particularly collective singing—is good for the brain. Attendees joined in a sing-along to fan-favorites Yellow Submarine, Do Re Mi, and Sweet Caroline, followed by a presentation by Dr. Patricia Izbicki about the science of singing and its benefits on brain development for all ages from babies to teens to seniors. The sing-along was led by The Mind, Music, and Movement Foundation 's The Voices of Parkinson's Chorus & Giving Chorus and Florida Atlantic University’s medical student band and chorus groups The Cytokines and Threshold Choir.

“Every event brought community together with mental health professionals, arts enthusiasts, and neuroscientists to highlight how Palm Beach County is leading the country in pioneering the field of neuroarts,” said Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO. “Through Train the Brain and the Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative, we are uniting the creative and scientific communities that impact mental health and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.”

Palm Health Foundation has convened the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches to form the Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative to focus on identifying and mapping local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida. The globally-renowned NeuroArts Blueprint has chosen the collaborative as its first local Community Arts Coalition Partner.

“We are building an entire ecosystem for the neuroarts that will benefit the health of everyone,” said McNamara.

To further advance Palm Beach County as a hub for brain health, Palm Health Foundation invites donors to contribute to The Neuroarts Fund to inspire collaboration between Palm Beach County's cultural assets and world-class brain science institutions, and the Brain Health Innovation Fund , to advance new technologies, treatments, resources, and educational tools for better brain health in Palm Beach County.

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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Train the Brain

Palm Health Foundation Donors Take Aim on Building Local Health Care Workforce

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 19:06:25 GMT

Groundswell of donor support enables foundation to provide nearly $687,000 in scholarships
to 73 healthcare professions scholars dedicated to serving Palm Beach County’s diverse communities.

Palm Health Foundation and its donors are taking aim at the health professions shortage by awarding nearly $687,000 in scholarships to 73 nursing and behavioral health students at South Florida universities. With an unprecedented number of donors contributing to scholarships this past year, the foundation also received a pivotal $400,000 contribution from the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (SEFBHN).

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our legacy donors and new contributors who have established scholarship funds and joined our matching donation programs,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Their generosity has enabled us to provide scholarships and foster meaningful connections between donors and scholars, amplifying the impact on our community's health.”

The SEFBHN funding enabled Palm Health Foundation to increase scholarship awards for all behavioral health scholars to $10,000, two to eight times the original amount awarded, and increase the number of scholars. Funding will also be allocated for future support of scholars with advanced degrees, including psychiatric nursing and psychiatry, unpaid internships, and emergency assistance for students.

"SEFBHN’s commitment to workforce development is helping to address the behavioral health needs of Palm Beach County,” McNamara said. “Together we are answering the call for help—especially from youth—so that everyone seeking support has access to care."

Life experiences led many Palm Health Foundation scholars to seek careers in health professions. Living in Palm Beach County’s diverse communities, they see how they can help overcome language and cultural barriers to health, provide bedside care to comfort both patients and their families and serve low-income areas that are experiencing especially high shortages—in fact, more than one in three Floridians live in a Health Professional Shortage Area .

“These are students who have been primary caregivers to family members during their youth or saw firsthand how conditions in their communities contributed to poor health outcomes,” said McNamara. “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.”

Studies show that developing culturally responsive environments where the delivery of health services responds to the social, cultural, and linguistic background of their patients has proven effective. The effort to provide care with a greater awareness and sensitivity to a patient’s unique and inherent characteristics has been shown to improve health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the overall quality of care.

Palm Health Foundation scholarship recipient Dercas Caneus knows she will be effective because of her ability to build bridges in her Haitian community and beyond. “I have devoted much of my life to community involvement and breaking down cultural barriers within healthcare,” Caneus said. “As a child of immigrant parents, I saw the value of nursing and how it can impact the community. Becoming a professional nurse allows that once little girl who loves science to live out her dream of leaving a meaningful legacy that benefits the world.”

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 .

Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3.5 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001. The foundation partners with the George Snow Scholarship Fund to administer scholarships with funding provided through Pam Health Foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund , a donation from Valley National Bank, and donor advised funds, including The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund for those seeking to work in bedside care, The Alonso Family Neighborhood Healthcare Fund , The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund, The Charles Norton Adams Nursing Endowment Scholarship Fund, Diamond Hill Capital Management, The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Fund, The Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund , The Peter & Elinka Ordway Nursing Scholarship Fund, The Solomon Silber Children and Families Fund , and The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund . The foundation’s behavioral health professions scholarship funding is provided by the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network , The Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions at Palm Health Foundation , and donor advised funds, including The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund , The John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund , The Koehn Family Fund , and The Mike McNamara Scholarship Fund .

Palm Health Foundation is recognized by nursing leaders and educators for its dedication to growing and strengthening the nursing workforce in Palm Beach County since its inception in 2001. In addition to nursing scholarships, the foundation has invested more than $10 million in initiatives to build a highly skilled nursing workforce that provides care across all settings and supports optimal health in the community including care transitions and care coordination. In the area of behavioral health, the foundation’s Brain Health Innovation Fund is dedicated to strengthening the local bonds between scientific research, community supports, and quality care to transform brain health in Palm Beach County.

Scholarship Match Opportunity

From September 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023, Palm Health Foundation is offering a dollar-for-dollar contribution match for all gifts to mental and behavioral health professions scholarship funds. Additionally, the foundation will match contributions to its nursing scholarship funds from November 28, 2023 (Giving Tuesday), to January 31, 2024. The donation match program is another way the foundation is encouraging community investment in South Florida’s local health care workforce. Learn more about the match at PalmHealthFoundation.org/scholarship-match

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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Appoints Heather DeStefano Director of Grants and Community Partnerships

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:54:47 GMT

“Heather’s caring and compassion for individuals as a clinician, combined with her deep understanding of systems and education, will help us advance our mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health through community collaboration,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “She knows what it takes to build a culture of health where everyone thrives.”

DeStefano has received numerous accolades for her work and education. In Palm Beach County, she was honored as a Nonprofit Professional of the Year for the 2022 Hats Off Nonprofit Awards. As a master’s degree student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, she was an Endowed Scholarship Recipient. And while an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, she received the Toby Brown Award, for the top undergraduate social work student of the year in North Carolina.

DeStefano received her Doctor of Social Work in Advanced Clinical Practice degree from Florida Atlantic University and currently serves the university’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work as a professional advisory board member. She resides in Palm Beach Gardens with her family while passionately advocating for social justice and equity.

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 over $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Investing in a Culture of Health for All

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 22:36:38 GMT

A conversation with Mark Elhilow, Palm Health Foundation Trustee

Q: What does PHF do differently to build a culture of health in communities?

A: The foundation is building a bridge of trust with the community. That has allowed us not only to raise money but to get that money in the hands of the people who can provide services and build opportunities for better health within their own communities. We are becoming thought leaders and facilitators in that regard.

Q: You and your wife Susan have made gifts to PHF’s Neuroarts Fund What impresses you most about the foundation’s work to advance neuroarts?

A: I think art is a pathway for a lot of people who are troubled, whether it's PTSD, Parkinson’s, or mental health. We are seeing progress in the foundation’s brain health focus area with the partnerships that are now in place and donations and funding that are starting to flow. And we are getting funding into the hands of those doing the best research and the people and organizations with boots on the pavement at the service level.

I really like what we're doing to bring these resources to underserved people so they have as much of an opportunity to access programs as those with financial means. PHF is making measurable progress in establishing itself as the “go-to” organization and foremost thought leader in this space.

Q: What would you say to encourage others to consider a gift to Palm Health Foundation?

A: Take a few moments to understand how our work is changing the lives of folks, one example at a time. Like anything else, with each success, we are creating momentum, interest, and awareness that can be measured.

Grantee Spotlight: Inspiring Love, Joy, and Healing Through Music

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 21:49:24 GMT

Palm Health Foundation supports the Mind, Music, and Movement Foundation (M3F), a Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative member and nonprofit that serves people living with a neurodegenerative disease and their families.

Among its many programs, M3F provides a weekly music program, The Voices of Parkinson’s Chorus . Singing helps participants improve their voice projection, diction, cognition, and mood. In addition to this, the chorus is a social haven for both participants and volunteers.

Louise P. brings her husband to the chorus and has found singing to be more beneficial than other therapy options. The chorus inspired them to incorporate more music into their daily lives and they often play their favorite song from chorus at home, “Yellow Submarine,” by The Beatles.

“Thanks to Palm Health Foundation’s grant, we will continue to foster hope and self-confidence in people living with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. It’s extraordinary what music does for people; it expresses love, joy, and gives an unexplainable energetic feeling that can touch emotions and the heart.” – Beth Elgort, MSW, Founder and CEO, The Mind, Music, and Movement Foundation

Palm Health Foundation, The Voices of Parkinson’s Chorus, and choral students from Florida Atlantic University are collaborating to present, “The Science of Singing” during Train the Brain month – registration is FREE!

Join the Train the Brain Social Media Challenge!

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 21:32:52 GMT

Our Train the Brain social media challenge is designed to showcase how community uses the arts for brain health and wellness! Participation is easy:

Post a photo representing how you use or experience art to support your personal health and wellness.
Ex: A selfie of you listening to music, dancing, or visiting a museum!
You can also include this social media image! [right click to save]

Encourage others to join you by tagging them in your post!
Tag @PalmHealthFoundation and #TraintheBrainPBC so we can share far and wide.

Experience How the Arts Can Improve Your Brain Health in October

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:25:47 GMT

Palm Health Foundation to offer free events during its October 2023 Train the Brain campaign to show how creative and expressive art experiences can change the brain, body, and behavior, leading to better overall health.

Palm Health Foundation ’s seventh annual Train the Brain community health campaign kicks off on October 1, 2023, with the theme, “Advancing Wellness Through the Neuroarts.” Three free community events will demonstrate the connections between the brain, body, and behavior while celebrating Palm Beach County’s local arts and culture community. The enlightening and interactive events include an art show and symposium demonstrating how local students are connecting to their mental and emotional wellness through art expression, a lunch and learn about the impact of art in public places on community wellness, and a sing-along revealing how our brains react to music.

The goal of Train the Brain is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. By sharing experiences in the Neuroarts —the study of how the brain and body respond to art—Palm Health Foundation is demonstrating how accessible this form of self-care can be to everyone.

“The arts are all around us, especially in a community as culturally rich as Palm Beach County,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “The beautiful imagery in our museums and street art, and the music presented on local stages and in our churches bring us joy. We’re making the connection to how the arts can benefit our health and wellness by providing free, first-hand experiences to learn about their impact on our brains, bodies, and the wellbeing of our community.”

Science has proven that art can work hand in hand with traditional medicine to relieve pain, enhance mental health and learning outcomes, prevent disease, and improve mobility, memory, and speech.

Palm Health Foundation is taking the lead in this rapidly growing field by launching the Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative to bring together local leaders in brain science and the arts.

The Collaborative, including the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches, is advancing the neuroarts in South Florida and receiving national recognition as the NeuroArts Blueprint’s first local Community Arts Coalition Partner. Currently, the Collaborative is working to identify and map local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida.

The following free Train the Brain events are an opportunity to experience what scientists and artists are proving together: the arts are good for your health.

The Art of Learning: A Cross-Curricular Art Show & Symposium

Thursday, October 19, 2023

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

A free event at A.D. Henderson University School, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431

Through art expression, Palm Beach County students are diving into topics like brain health and stress management – in a science classroom! Hear from these students, their educators, and a neuroscientist on the connection between art and brain science. Registration includes light snacks and beverages. Presented in partnership with FAU Lab Schools and FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.

The Power of Public Art: A Lunch & Learn

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

A free event at Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center, 125 E Ocean Ave, Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Why are art installations important in urban environments? How does public art impact health and mental wellness? Join this event to explore these questions with local brain health experts and artists and take a tour of exceptional public art! Registration includes a free lunch. Presented in partnership with the City of Boynton Beach and the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center.

The Science of Singing

Thursday, October 26, 2023

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

A free event at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Singing is good for the brain. Collective singing is even better! Join in on a fun sing-along and learn about what happens in our brains when we sing together. Registration includes light snacks and beverages. Presented in partnership with the Mind, Music, and Movement Foundation.

For more information about Train the Brain, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org/train-the-brain and follow Palm Health Foundation on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and LinkedIn for weekly brain health tips in October.

To further advance Palm Beach County as a hub for brain health, Palm Health Foundation invites donors to contribute to The Neuroarts Fund which inspires collaboration between Palm Beach County's cultural assets and world-class brain science institutions.

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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Train the Brain
Train the Brain is a community health campaign annually presented by Palm Health Foundation throughout the month of October. The goal of the campaign is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. With information and resources provided, participants are encouraged to make changes in their thinking about mental health conditions and adopt brain health habits that integrate self-care behaviors into their daily routines.

Grantee Spotlight: Supporting a Health & Sciences Workforce Pipeline

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 21:28:32 GMT

Palm Health Foundation supports T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society , a professional organization that helps underserved populations in our community through health education, youth mentoring programs, health fair medical screenings for children and adults, scholarships, and more.

The foundation recently provided sponsorship for the organization’s Healthcare and Science Stars of Tomorrow Career Symposium, held at Inlet Grove Community High School and attended by more than 500 students in the PBC School District’s medical magnet programs.

The students rotated through dozens of workshops, learning about different STEM and medical careers, supporting a workforce pipeline for the health and science professions.

“We are so thankful for the relationship that we have with Palm Health Foundation. They are true partners in supporting the health and wellness of children and families in Palm Beach County.” – Laurel Dalton, Executive Director, T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society

An Angel Child’s Legacy – Strengthening the Health Professions

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 21:22:11 GMT

Palm Health Foundation Philanthropy Committee member and former board chair Denise Bober established The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund to support quality nursing care in our community.

This year, Denise and her family selected two passionate nurses to receive scholarships that will support their further education and skill development, ultimately leading to excellent care for local patients.

Denise’s fund is named in honor of her twin granddaughters, Sutton and Kailey. The girls were born at 24 weeks, weighing only 1.2 lbs and 1.1 lbs. Kailey shined her presence on this earth for 24 hours. Baby Sutton remained brave and strong, surviving heart surgery and spending 111 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Now a thriving 8-year-old, Sutton understands her family’s gratitude for the nurses who diligently cared for her during her long hospital stay and honors her sister alongside her parents and grandmother through The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund .

After selecting two dedicated nursing professionals to receive their family’s scholarship, Denise, her children, and her granddaughter were able to meet them in person – a touching moment for all.

“To this day, we are overwhelmed with gratitude and want to ensure that other families have the same nurturing, quality care when they need it most.” – Denise Bober

Palm Health Foundation Appoints Osaied Manasra Accounting and Grants Coordinator

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 17:11:51 GMT

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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Every Experience Matters to a Child with a Dream

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:12:46 GMT

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

Young Talent in The Glades Communities

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:42:38 GMT

Healthier Glades is collaborating with city mayors and church pastors in The Glades communities to promote activities that boost youth mental health.

Though The Glades communities often receive attention around their athletics programs, city leaders want the larger Palm Beach County community to know that their youth have talents beyond the football field and basketball court.

Watch this WPTV segment highlighting the Youth Explosion, supported by Healthier Glades and a Palm Health Foundation grant, among other partners.

An Update on the Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:40:15 GMT

Palm Health Foundation welcomes Dr. Bama Lutes Deal as consultant for the Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative. The foundation launched the Collaborative in 2022 to bring together local leaders in brain science and the arts.

The focus of the Collaborative is to identify and map local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida.

The Neuroarts Fund Match

Palm Health Foundation is providing a dollar-for-dollar match on all donations made to The NeuroArts Fund up to $100,000.

Through The Neuroarts Fund, we are supporting local efforts that combine the power of the arts and neuroscience.

“Brain science reveals that art can work hand in hand with traditional medicine to improve mobility, memory, and speech; relieve pain and the after-effects of trauma; enhance mental health and learning outcomes; build resilience; and prevent disease.” – NeuroArts Blueprint

Grantee Spotlight: Providing Help & Hope

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:34:10 GMT

Join Palm Health Foundation to provide fair and equitable access to longer, healthier lives for all. With the support of our generous donors, we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities to support our community's health and wellness.

Together, we are working to make meaningful, lasting impact in Palm Beach County. Will you join us?

Director of Florida Department of Health-Palm Beach County Appointed to Palm Health Foundation Board of Trustees

Tue, 23 May 2023 21:37:07 GMT

Palm Health Foundation announced today the appointment of Jyothi Gunta MD, MPH, Director of the Florida Department of Health-Palm Beach County, to its board of trustees. Dr. Gunta replaces former director, Alina Alonso, MD, who retired earlier this year. The department of health trustee position is appointed to ensure the foundation maintains close ties with public health in Palm Beach County.

Dr. Gunta’s professional interests, including obesity medicine, occupational medicine, health and wellness, education, and policy, align with Palm Health Foundation’s mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County. She will help guide the foundation as it launches its new strategic plan, evolving its work to create a countywide culture of health network, advance brain health, and strengthen the health professions.

“We are excited to have such an accomplished public health professional join our board,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO. “Dr. Gunta’s expertise will be an asset to the areas where we are driven to create impact—preventive health solutions that help individuals and communities thrive, policy for sustainable change, and investments in education to grow our healthcare workforce.”

Dr. Gunta is a board-certified physician in Preventive Medicine/Public Health and board certified in Occupational/Environmental Medicine with training and experience in family medicine, evidence based preventive care, occupational medicine, epidemiology, research, education, and policy. She earned her Master’s in Public Health from NOVA Southeastern University. She is also a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) and a certified Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examiner.

She has several years of experience as a medical director in family practice, preventive health services, obesity medicine, urgent care and occupational and environmental health. She has demonstrated leadership within multiple healthcare systems and outpatient practices including the Veterans Health Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Gunta played an integral part in one of the most intensive projects of COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring in U.S history and contributed to the description of health and functional outcomes following vaccination. This data was published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health Journal.

Dr. Gunta received her Medical Doctor (MD) from Saint Petersburg State Medical Academy (I.I. Mechnikov) in St. Petersburg, Russia. She completed her internship in pediatrics residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawai'i before entering Preventive Medicine/Public Health residency program at the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County where she also served as the chief resident.

Sharing the Glow of Gratitude: A Birthday Wish

Thu, 11 May 2023 15:42:55 GMT

There was a little extra sunshine radiating from Palm Beach Gardens on March 19 ^th as 18 women gathered to celebrate the birthday of Palm Health Foundation trustee Ilene Solomon Silber.

Rather than a party honoring her milestone birthday, Ilene’s wish was to celebrate the spirit of gratitude among her special group of friends, some whom have known each other for over five decades.

The invitation read, “Ilene’s Birthday Brunch—A Celebration of Friendship and Gratitude,” a theme that carried through the event. All contributed quotes, colorfully displayed as centerpieces, blooming with thoughts on what it means to give thanks. One by Amy Collette, author of The Gratitude Connection, perfectly captured the celebration’s atmosphere: “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness; it's the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.”

Barbara Pariente, one of the five birthday brunch hosts, noted that Ilene has always been a catalyst for gratitude, spreading her appreciation in a most meaningful way: by giving back. “I have known Ilene in so many capacities, from when she was head of Communities in Schools of Palm Beach County to launching Take Stock in Children,” Barbara said. “She was always a professional working in jobs that were about giving back. She wants to make our community better by making the most impact.”

A Circle of Friendship

Ilene combines her spirit of gratitude and her desire to make an impact through The Solomon Silber Children and Families Fund at Palm Health Foundation, the place where friends could make a contribution in honor of her birthday. She has made this invitation for many past birthdays, asking others to join her in spreading gratitude through what she calls a “Circle of Friendship.”

This year Ilene’s circle contributed over $5,500 to Palm Heath Foundation to grow her fund which is dedicated to brain health, education, and community engagement, with a preference for making an impact in or around her home city of West Palm Beach. Over the years, Ilene’s commitment to the foundation has gone beyond her role as a trustee. She has committed to bettering community health through personal donations, her time, and her talent.

Ilene’s giving reflects her lifelong career working on behalf of children’s issues. Leadership positions in children’s mental health, early care and education, and as executive director of Communities In Schools of Palm Beach County for 13 years, were experiences that continue to drive her passion to invest in children and families. Through her fund , she has made contributions to Northmore Elementary School, matched by the foundation, to improve the way children respond to trauma through mindfulness and therapeutic interventions, and invested in mental/behavioral health profession scholarships to grow the county’s workforce.

As Ilene’s fund grows through the gift of friendship and gratitude, she is looking forward to reaching the endowment threshold, creating a permanent legacy of giving through the foundation.

“I am hoping to help create a personal legacy that values community, inspires others to get involved on many levels, and makes a viable impact on the lives of children and families in this community, long after I am no longer around,” said Ilene. “Palm Health Foundation demonstrated to me their commitment and ability to implement solutions through community partnerships and collaboration that always value resident input and navigation.”

An Enriching Experience for All

“It’s only natural to make a contribution to a foundation that she has been intricately involved with for so many years and is very meaningful to her,” said Barbara. “We give in her honor to celebrate llene and who she is.”

Friend and fellow celebration host Mona Reis added, “Ilene is someone who is so cherished. She’s the thread of this special group of women who are all very accomplished and care very much about giving back. All of us are aware of how important Palm Health Foundation is to Ilene, how important education has been in her life, and how she leads a life of substance. She carries us along with her in achieving that and enriches our lives in so many ways.”

To her friends, and to all the people she touches through Palm Health Foundation, Ilene is a spark lighting joy throughout the soul of Palm Beach County.

Introducing The Community Changemakers Fund

Mon, 08 May 2023 20:19:30 GMT

Palm Beach County residents, nonprofits, for profits and funders gathered on April 22, 2023 for a community workshop in which they learned from one another and shared their respective work shaping the culture of health throughout the county.

Participants celebrated the community-led work that resulted in the county winning the 2021 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize , and brainstormed ways to deepen and amplify those efforts. Attendees were invited to share their design ideas for a new fund at Palm Health Foundation – The Community Changemakers Fund .

This energetic gathering is one of many that will support Palm Beach County’s growing Culture of Health Network .

About The Community Changemakers Fund

This fund invests in new approaches to grantmaking, and in place-based practitioners, changemakers, and community organizers. Palm Beach County grantmakers are exploring innovative ways to support local changemakers; this fund supports that work. Grounded in the work that led to our county's Culture of Prize win , and recognizing that changemakers often don’t have sufficient investment in their personal and professional development, this fund will honor the work of those committed to community change by directly investing in them.

The Power of Networks

Thu, 04 May 2023 13:59:57 GMT

Palm Health Foundation is stoking a Culture of Health Network in Palm Beach County, which is growing from seeds planted by our Healthier Together initiative and the residents who have been leading change for better health in their neighborhoods.

Through Healthier Together, we learned there are two significant cornerstones to the success of community-driven efforts: the people and the flourishing networks they build to address community needs.

Beyond Healthier Together, the foundation is committed to investing in the power of networks and individuals as they pursue better health opportunities for all. An example is our Culture of Health Network Leadership Lab , which supported a cohort of Palm Beach County-based leaders addressing change-making efforts in their professional roles.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Palm Beach County Culture of Health Network this year!

Health, Science, and Arts Philanthropists Hear from Best-Selling Author of “Your Brain on Art”

Tue, 02 May 2023 15:59:11 GMT

Palm Beach County’s leading philanthropists and advocates for health, science, and the arts came together on April 18, 2023 at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, FL, for an evening to celebrate the neuroarts and one of its worldwide leaders, Susan Magsamen, author of the New York Times bestselling book, “ Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us .” Palm Health Foundation trustee and event chair Frances Fisher welcomed 65 guests to hear about Ms. Magasamen’s insights and exciting news on how Palm Health Foundation and partners are pioneering the neuroarts field in Palm Beach County with the goal to become a nationally recognized “Brain Coast.”

Mrs. Fisher, the evening’s host, opened the evening by welcoming guests inside the Cox Science Center’s Journey Through the Human Brain, the world’s most advanced neuroscience exhibit. It was the perfect setting for Ms. Magsamen to share the highlights of her book that tell the life-altering journey through the science of neuroaesthetics, which offers proof for how our brains and bodies transform when we participate in the arts, and how this knowledge can improve our health, enable us to flourish, and build stronger communities.

Ms. Magsamen spoke of the life-changing potential of the arts and how they are “accessible, immediate, and affordable.” She added that “there is an army out there” of artists, scientists, policy makers, practitioners, and others who are promoting the neuroarts, but are not connected. In her work as the founder and executive director of the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , and as co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint , Ms. Magsamen is leading on a first-of-its-kind roadmap to move the field into widespread use by scaling up the research, training, and practice components. “The world is ripe for this,” Magsamen said.

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, agreed. Mr. McNamara shared how the foundation has convened the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches to form the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative to focus on identifying and mapping local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida. The NeuroArts Blueprint has chosen the collaborative as its first local Community Arts Coalition Partner.

“We have incredible assets right here in our backyard – world-class brain science institutions and robust cultural assets that are already participating in the neuroarts,” Mr. McNamara said. “Isn’t it time that we brought these powerful forces together to promote healing and flourishing in our community?”

The crowd burst into applause as Mr. McNamara announced, “Palm Health Foundation will match, dollar-for-dollar, all gifts to The NeuroArts Fund up to a total of $100,000! Building the field of neuroarts will positively impact and bring about solutions for better mental health, including our youth mental health crisis, and healing pathways for neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.”

Mr. McNamara thanked the Merrell Family Foundation for pledging support for a neuroarts fellowship, and Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Fisher Cummings for their contributions to launch The NeuroArts Fund matching gift campaign.

Guests left the evening with a copy of Ms. Magsamen’s book and a feeling of inspiration for Palm Beach County’s potential to become the national leader in neuroarts. “The power of the arts and its ability to positively impact brain health, and our overall wellbeing, is undeniable,” Mrs. Fisher said.

Joining Mrs. Fisher on the event’s host committee were:

Randy Blakely, Ph.D., Executive Director, FAU Stiles Nicholson Brain Institute
Bill Bone, Trial Lawyer, Larmoyeux & Bone
Julie Fisher Cummings, MSSW, Co-founder and Chairman, Lovelight Foundation
Steve & Beth Elgort, Founders, Mind, Music and Movement Foundation
John Lacy, CPWA, Wealth Management Advisor, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Dave Lawrence, President & CEO, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
Joyce & Dusty Sang, Founders, Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation

Guests included: Palm Beach County Mayor Gregg Weiss; LeeAnne Nicolson LaBanz and Joe LeBanz, Stiles Nicholson Foundation; Jeffrey Fisher; Andrea Camp, NeuroArts Blueprint; Beth Elgort, CEO, and Trustees Dr. Julie Pilitsis and Anne Sternlicht, Mind, Music and Movement Foundation; Margaret Horgan, Managing Director and Trustees Sarah and Tim Benitz, Patricia Izbicki Karyn Lamb, Cynthia Sulzberger, Ethel Isaacs Williams, and Mieke van Waveren, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens; Christine Koehn, Ilene Solomon Silber, Marsha Fishbane and Nat Nason, Palm Health Foundation Trustees, DeAnna Pledger, Philanthropy Committee Member, Inger Harvey and Greg Quattlebaum, Community Investment Committee Members; John and Egle McNamara; Peter Cruise; Ann Berner; Jill Merrell, Merrell Family Foundation; Kate Arrizza, CEO, Marcy Hoffman, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and Board Members Wendy Bingham Cox, Katharine Eyre, Mary Freitas, and Carter Pottash, Cox Science Center & Aquarium; Dan and Denise Hanley, Gunster; Dr. Ivan Baines and Dr. McLean Bolton, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience; Kathleen Alex, CFO/COO, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County

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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Brandy Shaw Promoted to Stewardship Manager at Palm Health Foundation

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 18:32:51 GMT

As stewardship manager, Shaw will support the foundation’s key relationships, including donors, trustees, and grantees. She will also provide project management and support for grants, events, and committee meetings.

Shaw brings fifteen years of experience in the education and non-profit sector to her role. She began her career as an educator designing educational programming for early childhood, elementary, and adult education delivered through churches, schools, and cultural institutions.

Shaw also worked for several South Florida nonprofit organizations creating innovative strategies and resources that support community initiatives and served in an executive-level capacity in nonprofit management, finance, and grant writing.

Toward a Brain Coast

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 19:57:20 GMT

Palm Beach County Can Lead the World in Connecting Neuroscience with the Arts

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) recently released position paper, Optimizing Brain Health Across the Life Course , states that “optimizing brain health improves mental and physical health and also creates positive social and economic impacts, all of which contribute to greater well-being and help advance society,” and that “multisectoral engagement and collaboration are urgently needed in order to move the brain health agenda forward for all people.”

Palm Beach County is moving the brain health agenda forward through a unique collaboration that combines our world-class brain science institutions and robust cultural assets as a model for the emerging field of the neuroarts—a convergence between science, the arts, and technology.

Palm Health Foundation has convened the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches to form the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative to focus on identifying and mapping local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida. Neuroarts is the transdisciplinary study of how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the body, brain, and behavior, and how this knowledge is translated into specific practices that advance health and well-being.

The Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative has caught the attention of the leaders in neuroarts, the Johns Hopkins International Arts + Mind Lab Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, and the Aspen Institute’s Health, Medicine, and Society Program. These institutions have partnered to create the NeuroArts Blueprint initiative, designed to strengthen, standardize, and propel the emerging field of neuroarts. Our Palm Beach County collaborative is aligning with the NeuroArts Blueprint, and its leaders have invited us to become its first local Community Arts Coalition Partner.

The effect of the arts on health and well-being has long been experienced by generations of people and cultures. Now, as science and technological advances allow scientists to see and measure the effect of the arts on the brain, the field of neuroarts is catching fire, with the potential for learning and positive impact on mental health and neurodegenerative diseases that are top of mind for many Floridians, including dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. It is a field that could have worldwide impact as one in three people will develop a neurological disorder at some point in their lifetime, according to WHO.

Examples of the connection between the arts and the brain abound. A veteran who suffered a traumatic brain injury manages his epilepsy and PTSD by playing the ukulele. A young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder paints to demystify her condition and work through her emotions. A former prima ballerina with Alzheimer’s disease listens to Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and begins to spontaneously perform from her wheelchair, lifting her arms in synch with the choreography stored deep in her brain.

There is a role for all to play in contributing to human flourishing through the neuroarts. We are aligned with the NeuroArts Blueprint in their belief that “to realize its potential, neuroarts must become a fully recognized field of research and practice, with educational and training pathways, dedicated funding, supportive public sector and private sector policies, effective leadership, well-crafted communications strategies, and infrastructure capacity.”

Optimizing brain health affects our families, workplaces, schools, and our healthcare system. With our commitment to integrating science and the arts to help people reach their full health potential, and the community’s support, we are taking one significant step toward South Florida becoming known as the “Brain Coast,” as highly recognized as Florida’s Space Coast, and with far-reaching effects on well-being and society.

To learn more about the neuroarts efforts in Palm Beach County, visit palmhealthfoundation.org/train-the-brain.

Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D.

Executive Director

FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

David J.S. Nicholson Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience,

Professor, Dept Biomedical Science

Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458

MC-22/ Room 201G

rblakely@health.fau.edu

(561) 799-8100

Dave Lawrence

President & CEO

Cultural Council for Palm Beach County

The Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building

601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460

dlawrence@palmbeachculture.com

Phone: (561) 471-2901

Patrick J. McNamara, LCSW
President & CEO
Palm Health Foundation
700 South Dixie Highway I Suite 103
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

pmcnamara@phfpbc.org
( 5 61) 837-2280

Palm Health Foundation Appoints New Committee Members

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 19:52:44 GMT

Palm Beach County leaders will help guide foundation’s grantmaking and fundraising initiatives.

Palm Health Foundation announced today the committee appointments of three Palm Beach County leaders to guide grantmaking and fundraising initiatives that will provide residents with opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential. The new committee members and their respective committees are:

Dr. Alina Alonso, former director of the Palm Beach County Health Department and West Palm Beach resident, joins the Palm Health Foundation Community Investment Committee;
Denise Bober, senior vice president of human resources at The Breakers Palm Beach, Inc. and Palm Beach Gardens resident, joins the Palm Health Foundation Philanthropy Committee;
and Chioma R. Deere, Esq., founder and managing partner of Deere Law Firm and West Palm Beach resident, also joins the Palm Health Foundation Philanthropy Committee.

Dr. Alonso previously served the foundation as chair of the board of trustees and as chair of the governance and nominating committee. Her return to join the community investment committee demonstrates her commitment to the foundation’s three primary initiatives: to build a culture of health through community-led solutions; advance brain health; and strengthen the healthcare workforce. As the former director of one of the largest county health departments in the State of Florida, and a member of the faculty of Nova Southeastern University, Health Professions Division, Dr. Alonso brings extraordinary insight and experience to her role in advising the foundation’s grantmaking and investments in the health of the Palm Beach County community, which have averaged $4 million a year, and $91 million in total since 2001.

Denise Bober previously served the foundation’s board of trustees as well, most recently as chair. She returns as a philanthropy committee member with a dedication to social impact, an area she has championed during her three decades of human resources and benefits management expertise at one of America’s most successful hotel companies. She sets the example professionally as a member of the Executive Women’s Association of the Palm Beaches, Global Women 4 Wellbeing, and a former member of the Global Wellness Institute’s Social Impact Committee. In 2018, the Global Wellness Summit recognized Bober as a Leader in Workplace Wellness and Palm Beach Atlantic University named her as one of its 50 most notable alumni. In 2020, the South Florida Business Journal honored Bober as one of its Most Influential Business Women. Personally, Bober is making an impact through The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund at Palm Health Foundation, established to honor her granddaughters and provide scholarships to nursing students. Bober will advise the foundation on increasing awareness and attracting donors to its mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration.

As an attorney dedicated to community education, Chioma Deere has a strong interest in guiding the foundation’s philanthropy committee. Her law practice’s focus in estate planning and trust administration is perfectly aligned with the foundation’s ability to fulfill a donor’s wishes through planned giving. She is highly dedicated to her community and her profession as a member of the Florida Bar, The Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate & Trust Law (RPPTL) Section, past chair on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, Judicial Circuit Group 15D, the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association, Impact Palm Beach, the Black Chamber and Women’s Chamber of Commerce for Palm Beach County, and The West Palm Beach (FL) Chapter of the Links Incorporated. The foundation welcomes Chioma’s valuable perspective on creating lasting and meaningful giving legacies.

“All three of these accomplished professionals and community leaders bring their own distinct career and personal experiences to advance Palm Health Foundation’s mission,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO. “We are grateful for their commitment to us and to the health of Palm Beach County residents.”

Educator and Health Advocate Clovis Moodie Joins Palm Health Foundation Board of Trustees

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:51:01 GMT

Ms. Moodie was first introduced to Palm Health Foundation through its Healthier Boynton Beach initiative, which aims to support and improve the lives of family caregivers. At the time, Ms. Moodie cared for an aging and chronically ill loved one and found resources to improve her activities and daily living through the initiative. Ms. Moodie’s involvement with the foundation expanded to include her appointment to its Community Investment Committee.

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, recognized the value of Ms. Moodie’s insights and expertise to the foundation while she served on the committee. “Clovis’s wisdom has guided our committee through numerous grant-making decisions, and the foundation benefits from her knowledge and passion for building a culture of health across Palm Beach County,” McNamara said. “We are fortunate to have her guidance as a trustee as we grow our impact.”

Professionally, Ms. Moodie has worked as an education consultant, a leadership development consultant, a classroom teacher, a workshop developer/facilitator, and coordinator of several programs and systems. Her work has benefited thousands of individuals who were experiencing disabilities or who participated in her training opportunities across several states.

“As an educator, Palm Health Foundation’s work to advance health equity and resident wellness across our diverse community deeply resonates with me,” said Ms. Moodie. “I look forward to supporting the foundation’s vision to see all Palm Beach County residents thrive and reach their full health potential as a member of the board.”

With her strong experience in leadership, education, and collaboration, Ms. Moodie currently serves the community in a number of ways. She is vice chair of the Arts Advisory Board for the City of Boynton Beach and the Adopt a School coordinator for the Florida State Leadership Conference where she oversees the organization’s partnerships with 67 chapters across the state of Florida. She is an active member and past president of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Omicron Delta Zeta Chapter. As a member of Chapter EX of Philanthropic Educational Organization, she serves on several committees and as the corresponding secretary. Ms. Moodie is the treasurer of the Zeta Pearl Foundation and previously served as the secretary of KOP Mentoring Network, a local nonprofit organization.

Ms. Moodie earned her Bachelor of Education degree at Florida Atlantic University. She also has a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Arts degree in Education Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Clovis Moodie is the mother of Monica Butler and Kiesha Moodie. She is the grandmother of two amazing and adorable boys.

For more information about Palm Health Foundation, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org.

Civic Leader Julie Fisher Cummings Joins Palm Health Foundation Board of Trustees

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 19:06:36 GMT

In Florida, Ms. Cummings currently serves as Chair of the Board for the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and is a founding co-chair of the Promise Fund of Florida and the Florida Women’s Funding Alliance, which is driving policy change to enhance the quality of life for women and girls. As incoming Chair of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation in Michigan, she was a founding sponsor of the Southeastern Michigan Early Childhood Funders Collaborative. In both states, she has held board leadership positions with numerous organizations, including the United Way and the Jewish Women’s Foundations, where she is a founding member.

Nationally, as the Co-founder and Chair of the Lovelight Fund, Ms. Cummings focuses on domestic child sex trafficking, undeserved women and girls, and early childhood education and care. Her commitment to awareness and education led her to serve as the Executive Producer of I am Jane Doe, an award-winning documentary about domestic child sex trafficking, highlighting the legal battle against Backpage.com, which ultimately led to its discontinuation and seizure by the FBI. She has also created and taught a graduate-level course in Child Policy for the University of Miami, Department of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School of Medicine.

For her heartfelt dedication to civic leadership, Ms. Cummings has received numerous awards, including the Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Women of Distinction Award, the Ryan Licht Sang Bi-Polar Foundation Shining Star Award, Alternatives for Girls Role Model of the Year, and the Anti-Defamation League Woman of Achievement.

“I’m honored to serve alongside dedicated community leaders to help advance cutting edge solutions to address mental health issues and enhance brain health in our county,” said Ms. Cummings. “I deeply admire the way Palm Health Foundation raises community voices, leads in partnership with local stakeholders, and advocates for policy change to amplify their impact.”

For more information about Palm Health Foundation, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org.

Palm Beach County’s Largest Physical Activity Challenge, Let’s Move, is Motivating the Community to Get Moving Together

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:57:48 GMT

Just 30 Minutes a Day Positively Affects Social, Physical, Mental and Emotional Health

Get up and get moving! The 11 ^th annual Let’s Move Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge is back to motivate Palm Beach County residents of all ages. Presented by Digital Vibez, Inc. and Palm Health Foundation , Let’s Move is a month-long, free activity challenge From March 1-31 that encourages individuals and teams to participate by completing and logging just 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

Digital Vibez, a nonprofit organization that has gone viral for their dedication to empowering youth through dance fitness, technology, and the arts, will continue to lead the challenge by offering high-energy, innovative community events and activities for local adults and youth.

All residents and companies across Palm Beach County are invited to form teams and register at www.LetsMovePBC.org , commit to exercising at least 30 minutes a day throughout the month of March, and log their minutes. A calendar full of free, public virtual and in-person activities will constantly be updated on the website as well to encourage residents to keep moving toward their goals all month long. The Village of Wellington, the winning team for the past two years, will host a kickoff event on March 1 ^st at the Wellington Community Center Promenade.

“We have several exciting things up our sleeves this year! We empower Palm Beach County’s youth to move all year long and the Let’s Move campaign enables us to not only assist our youth but the entire community to reach their fitness goals through fun events, collaborations, and brand partnerships,” said Wil Romelus, founder of Digital Vibez. “Together with Palm Health Foundation, we’re able to ensure our future generations live longer, healthier lives by hosting events for everyone from kids to senior citizens that not only focuses on physical health but also social, emotional, and mental health creating healthy lifelong habits.”

Teams will have the opportunity to enter for a chance to win prizes on social media which will incentivize residents to meet their daily movement goals and aim for the highest number of collective minutes logged at the end of the month. A $1,000 grant will be awarded to the Top Team and to the Sub Team who is a youth-focused program that logs the most minutes on the Let’s Move website to support their physical activity programming.

The Palm Beach County-based Let’s Move initiative was first launched in 2012 by Palm Health Foundation, the county’s leading community foundation for health. Inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2010 Let’s Move national program to decrease childhood obesity, the foundation created the local challenge for adults and children to improve a variety of health issues through regular physical activity. The challenge promotes that daily exercise combats illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, and strengthens brain health and life expectancy, among other benefits.

“Physical activity is vital to overall health and wellness, and we’re thrilled to continue to build a local culture of health by motivating residents to move and support each other in the process,” said Patrick McNamara, president, and CEO of Palm Health Foundation.

Let’s Move will kick off on March 1 ^st at 3 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center Promenade. Teams that log the highest number of minutes by March 31 ^st , and several other awardees, will be recognized at a community celebration at the end of the challenge on April 14 ^th from 6-8 p.m. at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach.

Team registration for the Let’s Move challenge is now open at www.letsmovepbc.org , and nothing would be possible without the help of our Let’s Move sponsors, AmeriHealth Caritas, WPBF News Channel 25 and the KVJ Show.

About Digital Vibez, Inc.
Digital Vibez is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Palm Beach County. Our mission is to empower youth in diverse and underserved communities through dance fitness, technology, and the arts. Our innovative programs and events motivate and inspire youth to use their creativity and talents to develop healthier habits while expressing themselves through positive outlets and engaging activities. For more information about Digital Vibez, visit digitalvibez.org or call (561) 847-4521.

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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Invests Over $2 million in Building a Culture of Health in Palm Beach County

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:50:15 GMT

Palm Health Foundation granted over $2 million during its 2022 fiscal year, investing in innovative, long-term solutions that are building a culture of health in Palm Beach County. The foundation collaborates with community partners and donors to lead change for better health across areas vital to a healthy, thriving, community, including advancing brain health and strengthening the healthcare workforce. Grants support programs and initiatives that are pioneering new ways to improve conditions impacting residents’ ability to be well and live into their fullest health potential. The foundation has invested over $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001.

“Over my years of service to the foundation, I’ve witnessed our definition of health expand to include the social, economic, and environmental factors that impact our neighbors,” said David Wisehaupt, Chair, Palm Health Foundation Board of Trustees. “With community leading the way, we are embracing this broader idea of health and co-designing solutions with residents, grassroots organizations, system partners, and donors, resulting in national funding and recognition, including our role in Palm Beach County winning the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize .”

Palm Health Foundation’s grant funding is paving the way for everyone, from residents to leading health and academic institutions, to contribute to long-term impact. Examples include:

Cultivating Activated, Healthy, Resilient Communities

Pahokee resident Josie Hernandez had a vision for bringing the Hispanic community together in the Glades around health and wellness through a shared cultural experience – soccer. But the community had no soccer field. Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Glades initiative invested in Hernandez to take advocacy training to be a catalyst for positive change. She utilized her learning to work with the City of Pahokee to create an agreement for the field and asked teachers and coaches to volunteer their services. Healthier Glades assisted with purchasing equipment and uniforms. When registration opened for the very first youth soccer club, 66 kids signed up immediately. The field is a permanent place for health and well-being, bringing together the Hispanic community.

Advancing Brain Health

The foundation granted $1 million from The Brain Health Innovation Fund to the Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute to help launch its new Program in Computational Brain Science and Health. The gift supports new technologies, treatments, resources, and educational tools, including a fellowship program, to advance local brain health. Research fellows funded by the foundation’s gift will target data-intensive investigations underlying Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, depression, among others, contributing important knowledge and discoveries that will help to address some of our most pervasive and debilitating brain disorders. The foundation’s significant investment is one way they are working with partners to develop a brain-forward ecosystem in Palm Beach County that connects science, research, community, youth, health professionals and donors.

Addressing the Healthcare Workforce Crisis

Palm Health Foundation awarded $400,000 in scholarships for nursing and behavioral/mental health professions during 2022 to address the healthcare workforce crisis. The Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is predicting a catastrophic nursing shortage in the state by 2035 and data from Kaiser Family Foundation shows the current supply of Florida’s working mental health professionals meets only 21% of the state’s need. The foundation’s scholarships address several needs for growing and diversifying the workforce pipeline, including increasing faculty and graduating health professionals with cultural competencies.

“Together with donors, residents, and community partners, we are growing a culture of health for all in Palm Beach County where new ideas and opportunities can flourish,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “As we look ahead to the next five years, we see ourselves as a health innovation hub, building connections and networks where everyone who is passionate about leading change for better health is welcome.”

Palm Health Foundation’s grant and scholarship funding is made possible by the generosity of donors who contribute in a variety of ways, including through donor advised and endowed funds. The foundation works closely with donors to help them connect deeply with the local organizations and causes that resonate with them now and in the future. To learn more about giving at Palm Health Foundation, contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship & Strategic Partnerships, carrieb@phfpbc.org, 561-837-2281.

To learn more about Palm Health Foundation’s community impact, visit palmhealthfoundation.org/stories-of-impact .

Traveling the Countryside of Complexity

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 18:39:26 GMT

A Palm Health Foundation/FAU Fellow travels an unpaved road on a journey alongside community to find solutions for complex needs.

Written by Amanda Kopacz

An Unexpected Journey

I was immediately intrigued by the description of the Palm Health Foundation/FAU Fellowship. My heart fluttered at “community change makers” and “macro-focused social work.” And at the same time I was intimidated by work with what sounded like a very complex and completely unfamiliar technological tool called SenseMaker. Though I’m no technophobe, I’m an unconventional (aka older) student and started my educational career pre-internet. I don’t consider tech-savvy among my list of strengths. So, I was generally surprised when my FAU advisor and mentor Dr. Joy McClellan reached out to encourage me to apply. Though I resisted, she insisted. I hope that anyone reading this, if nothing else, comes away understanding the value of mentors.

So what exactly did I do at this fellowship? It turns out that the reason the description of the Palm Health Foundation/ FAU Fellow was difficult for me to understand and imagine myself doing is because the work is actually hard to explain. It is complex. No really, the SenseMaker tool and process is rooted in complexity theory. When I was offered the fellowship, the first thing I did was head to Google to attempt to get a handle on what “Complexity Theory” was, especially as explained by Dave Snowden (note: for the curious at heart, Dave Snowden gives a lovely Ted Talk explaining complexity through a birthday party metaphor that will likely enlighten your understanding to a much greater degree than my clunky description). Thank you, Google.

I would later be immersed in the “Complexibility Community of Practice” where complexity-focused change makers from across the globe shared research, ideas, articles, thoughts, links to live conversations, and all possible things related to complexity theory. I participated in meetings at odd times to accommodate our SenseMaker collaborators in Australia, as well as learned about community change from amazing organizations in our backyard. In the beginning, there was so much I didn’t yet understand, it was like becoming fluent in a new language.

Going “Swimming”

Without getting into the theoretical weeds, I will say the way that organizations typically embark on macro-level change is as though humans are robots, and a directive given from the top should re-route behaviors and resolve whatever problem had existed. If we lived in a system of order, this would work because all problems could be addressed with rules that all humans followed. But humans are complex, so they require complex approaches to change. What this means in action is that everything, from the collection of insight and data, to the recognizing of themes, to the attempts at solutions must all be from a perspective of complexity.

The SenseMaker tool (remember, that dreaded technology) is designed for participants to share their experiences and their own insight on those experiences. There are no scaling questions or multiple choice. Instead, there are stories where people define their own themes. Don’t get me wrong, the first time I went “swimming” in the data (as Andy McAusland, Director of Grants and Evaluation at Palm Health Foundation says), I didn’t know how to make sense of it. And then something magical happens—patterns emerge. It doesn’t end there, because the patterns and stories are then brought back to the community to “make sense” of the themes, needs, and problems in the community. And what comes from these SenseMaking sessions then inspires change. Actual, real live, grassroots change.

Embracing the Concept of Failing

Every week for my fellowship during the spring and summer of 2022, I had the honor to witness (and note-take, and support) a group of change makers that had dubbed themselves Glades Life. I learned the Glades community (which includes Belle Glade, South Bay, Pahokee, and other surrounding areas) had many issues and community concerns that were distinct from the rest of Palm Beach County. By the time I joined the project, they had been engaged in SenseMaking for many months, adapting to the changing circumstances of COVID along the way.

The bulk of the Sensemaker stories/data had been collected, brought back to the community, and major themes had been identified. They were in the action stage with initiatives called “Safe to Fail” projects. I think it’s unfortunate that we are conditioned to recoil at the word “fail” instead of recognizing its value in progress. All change, all progress, all growth requires risk and failure. A “Safe to Fail” project is one that is worth trying, because in complexity we don’t assume we know the solutions to problems. We adjust as we go along. We add resources to projects that seem to be helping meet the community needs, and allow those that aren’t to fizzle out. Sometimes a community has concerns about an issue that requires many projects simultaneously.

Community Led Change Making

One example of a concern that was identified throughout the Glades communities was youth safety. Community members had been greatly impacted by shootings and loss of local young people, but also expressed more general concerns about the safety of children and teens in the area. The issue inspired two very different Safe to Fail projects addressing different aspects of youth safety. One, a program called “Dads on Duty” was initiated to connect at-risk youth with mentors, and eventually other opportunities.

Another project focused on addressing a specific stretch of road that was both a school walking route as well as site of several bus stops. Community members who had been engaged with the SenseMaker project were invited to participate in a walk audit, which identified numerous safety issues. Some issues (like trees blocking school zone signs) were addressed by the city immediately. While others, like broken sidewalks and infrastructure issues required more perseverance on the part of Glades Life. I know they will persist. Because the thing about grassroots change that is different than hierarchical top-down change is intimacy. They love their community. Knowing these change makers has allowed me to love their community, too!

Passing the Torch

These are only two examples of the seven projects I had the privilege to support during my time as the Palm Health Foundation/FAU fellow. I was able to pass the torch to this year’s fellow and offer whatever insight I could to boost her learning curve. As I reflect on the experience, what I value most is not just that I witnessed and supported community change, but that I was changed. Grateful is not a big enough word for being invested in and given this opportunity to learn, grow, and be equipped to be a change agent in an ever-changing world.

I don’t know that I’d say I’m fluent, but I do feel as though I can comfortably travel in the countryside of complexity. It may be a landscape without paved roads where trees and brambles redirect our paths, yet if the last three years has taught us anything I believe it is that the path forward requires adaptability. And that we must embrace trying (and sometimes failing) at something new.

Healthier Glades “Mini-Grants” Promote Wellness and De-Stigmatize Mental Health

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 15:12:00 GMT

Funding puts the power of change in the hands of residents and nonprofit agencies.

Healthier Glades mini-grant awardees will provide services in the following areas:

Promoting Health and Wellness

Bettye Lawson, Belle Glade, Decreasing Risk of Metabolic Syndrome through Education, Screening, and Health Promotion Activities among Rural Glades Residents will test interventions such as neighborhood walking clubs and Zumba classes to increase physical activity, which has been shown to help delay cognitive decline.
Jinga Oglesby-Brihm, Empower Healthcare, Pahokee, Walking In Your Joy Despite Diabetes will provide QuantaFlo testing to determine whether a patient has Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) within a matter of minutes.
Gertavian Blake, South Bay, Stand Firm Outreach Healthy Meals Project will serve youth and adults hot, nutritious meals to promote health and wellness, cultivate positive relationships, inspire storytelling, and reduce crime rates.
Yvette Branch, Pahokee, Village at the Glades, Food Pantry Supplies will expand the types of meals available to shelter guests with the addition of a juicer, blenders, and air fryers, allowing guests to diversify the types of meals they are able to make.
Derrek Moore, Belle Glade, Emergency Preparedness & COVID-19 Prevention Program will provide homeless residents and youth aging out of foster care essentials for proper hygiene through partnerships with churches and local organizations.
Ashley Davis, Belle Glade, Human Indulgence With Ashley will host health and wellness sessions that include food preparation as well as stress and relaxation techniques.

Storytelling and Changing the Narrative

Lester Finney, Belle Glade, Glades Youth Exhibition of the Arts will provide students with artistic skills and talents the opportunity to channel their energy in a positive way and receive recognition by displaying their talents in music, spoken word, visual arts and/or performance arts.
Kevin Brown, Belle Glade, Burn Down Media Group will teach youth audio/visual equipment operations and video production and create job opportunities for the youth to perform audio/visual services for organizations and non-profits.
Veree Jenkins, Federation of Families, South Bay, Finding Your Super Powers Podcast is an extension of the Super Powers Support Group program. The podcast will be operated by residents of the Glades to shine a light on local health and wellness programs and testimonies of recovery and success in cooperation with the Glades STAR Community Partnership Group.

Developing and Nurturing Participation Channels

Khadeidra Willis, Belle Glade, #WORK21 Townhall for Student-Athletes and Parents will host two events for student-athletes and their parents about the requirements needed for their successful journey to a professional athletic future/career and the importance of athletes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including physical and mental wellness.
Stephanie Dort-Brown, Belle Glade, Period Talk will increase awareness, educate, and inform pre-teens and teenage girls about the anatomy of the woman’s reproductive system, highlighting priority areas such as health, wellness, advocacy for teenage girls, and storytelling.
Barbara King, Belle Glade, Children Business Fair will offer sessions to teach children how to be entrepreneurs and host a fair/showcase for the community and possible investors to support our youth businesses.
Jinga Oglesby-Brihm, Empower Healthcare, Pahokee, PEARLS to End Loneliness will address social isolation of older adults in the Glades. PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors) improves social and physical engagement through one-on-one coaching to build the skills to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives.

President and CEO of Palm Health Foundation Patrick McNamara sees the value of investing in the people and organizations closest to community. “We humanize health when we recognize that residents often have solutions for their own communities, they just need a little support to get them off the ground,” he said. “The Healthier Glades awardees have a wide range of unique assets and expertise for promoting brain health and well-being from youth to seniors.”

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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

A Palm Health Foundation Scholar is Breaking the Chains of Disparity in the Glades

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:43:07 GMT

“FAU taught me that you should honor yourself as you work hard to service the community,” she said. “Honor your degree and training and disseminate what you know to help people.”

When Dr. Oglesby-Brihm met Annie Ifill, project director of Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation initiative, her dream started to become a reality. “A lot of folks have gone for years without getting any type of medical care,” Ifill said. A Healthier Glades mini-grant funded Dr. Oglesby-Brihm to deliver healthcare services through churches in the Glades, which are places of trust—a deeply needed component for residents who have suffered inequities for generations. “As a nurse, I had to dig deep, to understand how trust holds community back from the services or people who want to serve them in the right way,” Dr. Oglesby-Brihm said.

Believing she needed to make the services a permanent fixture, Ifill helped her connect with First United Methodist Church, now home to Empower Healthcare, a primary healthcare center and women’s health provider. The clinic opened on September 10, 2022. Funding, partnerships, and recognition quickly followed. The Promise Fund of Florida funds pap smears and mammograms. A partnership with Project ECHO ® will link a comprehensive model of care and specialists via teleconferencing in early 2023. Incorporating mental health services through the Sandler School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University integrates mental and physical health for Glades residents “to change behavioral patterns to achieve the health they want.”

Dr. Oglesby-Brihm’s comprehensive, innovative care for the rural Glades community has captured national recognition. She placed second in the American Heart Association’s Empowered to Serve Business Accelerator , awarding her training and a grant of $25,000 to help her grow her health clinic. For Dr. Oglesby-Brihm, her ability to grow is so much more than providing needed services.

“My moon shot is breaking the chains of healthcare disparity; to meet residents where they are, provide the healthcare they deserve, and help them achieve the best quality of life they want to have so they can reimagine their future.”

About Empower Healthcare
empowerhealthcare4all.org

Our desired outcome is to empower individuals with accurate knowledge and proficient skills to advocate for their healthcare and personal needs and to close the gaps in care and healthcare disparities in a comprehensive community-centered approach.

Offerings:

Adult primary care services
Women's health
HIV prevention
Cancer, diabetes, and hypertension preventative screenings
Mental health (coming in 2023)
Free health educational seminars, and chronic disease management programs

Valley Bank Provides Seed Funding for Promising New Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 20:26:32 GMT

Grant to support emerging local initiative linking brain health and the arts
that is already receiving national attention.

Palm Health Foundation announced today a $5,000 gift from Valley Bank to provide seed funding for the new Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative. The donation is the first of its kind for the collaborative convened by Palm Health Foundation that brings together local leaders in brain science and the arts, including the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches. The Valley Bank gift will support the collaborative’s launch and growth as it focuses on identifying and mapping local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida.

Neuroarts is the transdisciplinary study of how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the brain, body, and behavior, leading to improved physical and mental health, disease prevention, enhanced brain development in children, and more. It’s an area that aligns with Valley Bank’s corporate social responsibility focus to improve quality of life and bring economic empowerment and change to communities.

“At Valley Bank, we empower our communities to thrive,” said Charles W. Keys III, Vice President and Corporate Social Responsibility/CRA Officer. “Linking brain health to the arts through the collaborative will create powerful ways for people to come together and experience the benefits of music, art, dance, and more. We’re proud to lead on the local funding for this emerging field and excited to see the collaborative’s impact on our community.”

Valley Bank’s investment will support the collaborative’s work to build a collective vision around advancement and integration of the arts, art-therapies, science, and health and well-being in Palm Beach County. Early plans include hosting and facilitating an in-person workshop to bring together researchers, health practitioners, artists and others from the arts and public health domains to share, brainstorm and vision the future of neuroarts and its positive impact on mental health and neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.

“Palm Beach County is moving the brain health agenda forward through a unique collaboration that combines our world-class brain science institutions and robust cultural assets as a model for the emerging field of the neuroarts,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Valley Bank’s funding speaks volumes about the importance of our work. We are deeply grateful and hope that their gift inspires others to invest in us.”

While the collaborative is in its beginning stages, it has already caught the attention of national leaders in neuroarts, the Johns Hopkins International Arts + Mind Lab Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, and the Aspen Institute’s Health, Medicine, and Society Program. These institutions have partnered to create the NeuroArts Blueprint initiative, designed to strengthen, standardize, and propel neuroarts globally. The collaborative is aligning with the NeuroArts Blueprint and has been invited to become its first local Community Arts Coalition Partner.

For more information about the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative and Palm Health Foundation’s other brain health initiatives, visit here .

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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Valley Bank
As the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp, Valley National Bank is a regional bank with nearly $56 billion in assets. Valley is committed to giving people and businesses the power to succeed. Valley operates many convenient branch locations and commercial banking offices across New Jersey, New York, Florida, Alabama, California, and Illinois and is committed to providing the most convenient service, the latest innovations and an experienced and knowledgeable team dedicated to meeting customer needs. Helping communities grow and prosper is the heart of Valley’s corporate citizenship philosophy. To learn more about Valley, go to www.valley.com or call our Customer Care Center at 800-522-4100.

A Passion for Youth and Mental Health

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 17:42:01 GMT

Your Year-End Gift Will Make Someone’s Dream Come True

“With Palm Health Foundation’s support, I am pursuing my dream to work with children and adolescents with chronic conditions to hopefully make an impact on their lives.”

- Ashley Robertson, Palm Health Foundation Scholar

Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships in support of both nursing and mental health professions are critical, especially in South Florida, where shortages in both fields are affecting the health of our community - read more.

Support our community’s health and a scholar’s dreams. Give today.

100% of your donation will support a local student pursuing a career in nursing, and Palm Health Foundation will match your gift, dollar-for-dollar.

Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships would not be possible without the support of our generous donors. Ashley’s scholarship was supported by a gift from Valley Bank.

“Valley Bank believes in empowering our communities to thrive. By supporting local scholars like Ashley, we are contributing to a strong, capable workforce to meet the health and wellness needs of our neighbors.” – Charles Keys, Vice President and Corporate Social Responsibility/CRA Officer

Charles Keys and Ashley Robertson

You can help strengthen our local health professions by giving to The Nursing Advancement Fund today.

About Palm Health Foundation’s Scholarships

Palm Health Foundation provides needs-based scholarships to nurses in LPN, undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs, and to behavioral health professions students seeking bachleor’s and master’s degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas.

Since 2001, the foundation has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education.

Palm Health Foundation's 2022 Scholarship Reception

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 18:19:36 GMT

On December 2, 2022, Palm Health Foundation ’s 2022 scholarship recipients had the opportunity to meet and thank the donors who are supporting their education and their career goals in the nursing and behavioral health professions. Over 100 guests gathered at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach, FL, to honor the 61 undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate students, and listen to the heartfelt stories of the generous donors who are making their dreams come true. Frances Fisher generously underwrote the scholarship reception at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens where she serves as chairwoman.

Mrs. Fisher kicked off the evening by sharing how grateful she is to support local students dedicated to the health of the Palm Beach County community through The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation where she serves as a board member and philanthropy committee chair. Fellow foundation board member and immediate past chair Denise Bober emceed the evening, sharing her personal story about what inspired her family to create The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund . Named for her granddaughters, born just 24 weeks into her daughter Melissa’s pregnancy, Bober shared how “Kailey shined her presence on this earth for a mere 24 hours before God called her to come to heaven. Baby Sutton remained brave and strong, survived heart surgery, and spent 111 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.” Eight-year-old Sutton joined her grandmother at the lectern to recognize her family’s scholarship fund recipient, Victoria Ugalde.

Several scholarship donors were recognized at the event, including Pam Gladstone and Elizabeth Rosenthal representing the B.J. & Paula Harris Fund Scholars, Jill Merrell and the John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund, and Charles Keys, representing the Valley Bank Scholarship Fund. Scholars also received awards from several other funds at Palm Health Foundation, including: The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund; The Samuel & Sylvia Lamstein Nursing Education Fund Scholarship; The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund; The Charles Norton Adams Nursing Endowment Fund; The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Scholarship Fund; The Peter and Elinka Ordway Nursing Scholarship Fund; and The Palm Health Foundation Nursing Advancement Fund.

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation closed the evening by thanking the donors who collectively awarded over $400,000 in scholarships in 2022 and recognized the importance of the scholars’ dedication to health care. “Our community needs care that only professionals, like all of you, can provide,” he said. “You are here because you’ve demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a true desire to serve your neighbors. Palm Health Foundation is proud to support, honor, and uplift you as you continue your journey. Thank you for your service to our community.”

Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3.5 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001 and recently expanded its scholarships to include the behavioral health field. The scholarships are administered by the George Snow Scholarship Fund and encourage individuals with financial need to enter and advance in the nursing and mental/behavioral health professions. For more information, please visit www.scholarship.org .

The Heart of a Caregiver

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 21:50:02 GMT

As a certified nursing assistant at Delray Medical Center, Dalissa is practicing while she studies, providing the same level of care to her patients that she did to her grandmother. “Being passionate, understanding, and empathetic is a must when it comes to being a nurse,” she said, recounting the story of a deeply depressed double amputee patient she prayed with and listened to when no one else had the time.

Dalissa is exactly the kind of scholar Debra Coffman Howe envisioned supporting through her scholarship fund: A nurse who aspires to bedside patient care and who believes as Dalissa does that “being a nurse is like having a superpower and enough knowledge to heal people and send them home to their families.”

Dalissa sees Debra as having her own superpower. “You have to have a big heart to do this for other people and allow students like me to have an opportunity,” she said. “Her scholarship saved me. It was a miracle.”

Palm Health Foundation to Double Up to $150,000 in Donor Gifts for Nursing Scholarships

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 21:23:39 GMT

Foundation seeking donors to support low-income and first-generation
students striving to pursue nursing careers as shortages grow.

Palm Health Foundation announced today that it will match donations to its Nursing Advancement Fund dollar for dollar between November 29, 2022, and January 31, 2023, up to $150,000 in total. The match program is open to anyone who donates between $100 and $5,000 to support the aspirations of low-income and first-generation nursing students in LPN, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs in Palm Beach County. The campaign follows the foundation’s recent success raising and matching over $100,000 in gifts for behavioral health professions scholarships.

Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships come at a time when the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is predicting a catastrophic nursing shortage in the state by 2035. The foundation’s scholarships address several needs for growing and diversifying the workforce pipeline, including increasing faculty and graduating health professionals with cultural competencies.

Many Palm Health Foundation scholars’ lived experiences inspire them to pursue nursing careers. When Dalissa Suprina learned she had received a Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship , a donor advised fund at Palm Health Foundation, she burst into tears. After losing her mother in the 2010 earthquake that impacted Haiti, Suprina became a caregiver to her grandmother at age 12 and discovered her life’s purpose was to become a nurse. The scholarship she received will support her career goal to become a wound care nurse and nurse practitioner working with the elderly. Recognizing the generosity of Coffman Howe, Suprina said, “you have to have a big heart to do this for other people and allow students like me to have opportunity. Her scholarship saved me. It was a miracle.”

Since 2001, the foundation has granted more than $3 million in miracles in the form of nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education. Palm Health Foundation scholarships are made possible by the generosity of donors, many of whom have established donor advised funds , such as Debra Coffman Howe, and through donations to the The Nursing Advancement Fund .

To maximize support for local nursing students, and have your gift doubled by Palm Health Foundation, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org/the-nursing-advancement-fund or contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship & Strategic Partnerships, carrieb@phfpbc.org, 561-837-2281. Donors may also create their own uniquely named scholarship fund to transform the lives of deserving students through the gift of higher education.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Opens Scholarship Application for Nursing and Mental/Behavioral Health Professions

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:42:03 GMT

Foundation and its donors dedicated to making career goals possible.

Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, opened applications for nursing and mental/behavioral health scholarships on November 1, 2022. The scholarships are administered by the George Snow Scholarship Fund and encourage individuals with financial need to enter and advance in the nursing and mental/behavioral health professions. Applicants must be residents of Palm Beach, Broward or Martin County, Florida, and apply by the February 1, 2023, deadline. The application, eligibility criteria and instructions are available on the George Snow Scholarship Fund website at www.scholarship.org .

Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships come at a time when the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is predicting a catastrophic nursing shortage in the state by 2035 and data from Kaiser Family Foundation shows the current supply of Florida’s working mental health professionals meets only 21% of the state’s need. The foundation’s scholarships address several needs for growing and diversifying the workforce pipeline, including increasing faculty and graduating health professionals with cultural competencies.

Palm Health Foundation provides needs-based scholarships to nurses in LPN, undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs, and to behavioral health professions students seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas.

Since 2001, the foundation has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education. Palm Health Foundation scholarships are made possible by the generosity of donors, many of whom have established donor advised funds , The Nursing Advancement Fund , and The Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions .

For more information about applying for a Palm Health Foundation scholarship, please contact Leslie Cornwell at lcornwell@scholarship.org , 561-347-6799, or Channon Ellwood at cellwood@scholarship.org , 561-347-6799 at the George Snow Scholarship Fund. To inquire about making a donation or creating a fund to support health professions scholarships, please contact Carrie Browne at carrieb@phfpbc.org , 561-837-2281.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Creating a Scholarship Legacy

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 22:34:26 GMT

The Koehn Family Fund at Palm Health Foundation

For Christine and Rich Koehn, the new Koehn Family Fund for behavioral health and nursing scholarships at Palm Health Foundation weaves together the many threads of their lives to become a legacy of health and healing.

Their daughter is a nurse. So is Christine’s mom.

Christine was the first in her family to complete college thanks to scholarships and sacrifices her family made. She attained her PhD in psychology and went on to serve as a leader in the social impact sector focused on issues such as access to health care. Rich is a former law enforcement professional who had a passion for aiding the people he encountered needing mental health support, always asking, “how can I help you?”

Palm Health Foundation’s NeuroArts Panel Connects Beauty and the Brain

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 20:24:57 GMT

Event showcased convergence of Palm Beach County’s science and cultural assets.

Leaders from the fields of brain science, arts, and health came together on October 18, 2022, for Palm Health Foundation ’s “Celebrating Human Flourishing Through the NeuroArts” panel discussion at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. Over 70 people attended the keynote event to learn about the connections being made in Palm Beach County between the arts, brain research, and mental well-being. The event was part of Palm Health Foundation’s sixth annual month-long Train the Brain community health campaign that returns every October to encourage residents to take charge of their brain health.

Moderated by Palm Health Foundation’s Director of Stewardship and Strategic Partnerships Carrie Browne, panelists included: Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., Assistant Director and Director of Community Engagement and Programming, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; Cindy Surman, Assistant to the Directors and Program Director of BBT4PD, a Certified Dance for PD ® (dance for those living with Parkinson’s) Program, Boca Ballet Theatre; McLean Bolton, Ph.D., Research Group Leader, Disorders of Neural Circuit Function, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience; and Kenya Madison, Ed.S., Senior Director for Healthier Delray Beach, a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative.

All spoke on their areas of expertise about the scientific study of the neuroarts that has proven that artistic experiences – both observational and experiential – measurably change the brain, body, and behavior, leading to improved physical and mental health, disease prevention, enhanced brain development in children, and more.

Dr. Bolton shared the effects of the arts on early education, neurogenerative diseases, and anxiety disorders, noting that, “the arts are mindfulness on steroids,” in describing how they can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels. As the only instructor in Florida certified by the founding organization Dance for PD®, Surman has witnessed how dance improves the cognitive skills of someone with Parkinson’s Disease. She shared how knowing what comes next in a dance, “connects the mind to the body” and “builds brain power.”

Madison spoke on how she has seen the arts impact her community in Delray Beach, particularly those affected by trauma. “What I saw was the expression in the absence of words,” she said while describing local youth arts programming. “The arts give us another option for residents who are looking for health, hope, and healing.” Emphasizing the need to continue to explore the connections between brain health and the arts, Dr. Baganz stated, “It's a conversation worth having for healthy communities.”

The FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches are continuing the conversation through the Palm Health Foundation NeuroArts Collaborative to focus on identifying and mapping local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida. “We know instinctively as humans that we are wired for the arts, and scientific studies confirm the many health benefits of exposure to artistic enrichment,” said Patrick McNamara, President and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Exploring the neuroarts is a natural extension of our brain health advancement work at the foundation. We and our partners are excited to champion the amazing science and cultural assets we have here in Palm Beach County.”

To learn more about NeuroArts in Palm Beach County, read the October 2022 issue of The Well of PBC , sponsored by Palm Health Foundation.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Train the Brain
Train the Brain is one of Palm Health Foundation’s annual community health campaigns and empowers residents to take charge of their brain health. The campaign aims to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. Participants are invited to change their thinking, integrate self-care into their daily routines and show compassion to individuals with acute and persistent mental health conditions.

Palm Health Foundation to Double Donor Gifts to Grow Mental/Behavioral Health Scholarships and Access for All

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 20:15:17 GMT

Foundation seeking donors to support low-income and first-generation students striving to pursue behavioral health careers as shortages grow.

When Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation , established The Mike McNamara Scholarship Fund in honor of his brother who took his own life, foundation leadership decided to honor the new fund by doubling all donations to their mental/behavioral health scholarship funds from October 1 to October 31, 2022. Leading change as Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, Palm Health Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar gifts between $100 and $5,000 to support the aspirations of low-income and first-generation students in the field of behavioral health, up to $60,000 in total.

Data from Kaiser Family Foundation shows the current supply of Florida’s working mental health professionals meets only 19% of the state’s need. The pandemic caused an increase in anxiety, depression, and demand for services that continues.

“Our world and our community need behavioral health professionals more than ever,” said McNamara. “Consider the rising mental health challenges that we face, race and health disparities, our rapidly growing aging population, and the future of our children. As the pace of change continues to accelerate, and people struggle to adapt, the students who become professionals through our scholarships will help others to adapt. Our behavioral health scholars promote mental health, resilience and wellbeing, treat mental and substance use disorders, and support people in recovery as well as their families and communities.”

Losing his brother in 1989 when both were students at Georgetown University changed McNamara’s life forever. He left his political science education to study psychology, becoming a licensed clinical social worker and eventually landing where he is now – leading a community foundation for health with a vision for all Palm Beach County residents to have opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential.

Like Betances, McNamara sees the ultimate goal of providing scholarship support to the students who will go on to help others. “People living with a mental illness are some of the most amazingly resilient people on the planet,” he said. “They have gifts, just like you and me. They are on the same human life journey and face unimaginable obstacles. They are us. And when we ask for support to advance the careers of those who have made becoming a behavioral health profession their life’s mission, it’s for all our benefit.”

To maximize support for local students pursuing a behavioral health career, and have your gift doubled by Palm Health Foundation, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org/the-scholarship-fund-for-mental-health-professions or contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship & Strategic Partnerships, carrieb@phfpbc.org, 561-837-2281. Gifts may be made to an existing scholarship fund, including The Mike McNamara Scholarship Fund , The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund , The John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund , The Koehn Family Fund , or the general Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions at Palm Health Foundation. Donors may also create their own uniquely named scholarship fund to transform the lives of first-generation, low-middle-income and other deserving students through the gift of higher education.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation’s Train the Brain Returns with Focus on NeuroArts’ Effect on Human Flourishing

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 22:07:43 GMT

This October, Palm Health Foundation ’s sixth annual  Train the Brain  community health campaign returns and serves as a reminder that caring for your brain is just as important as caring for your body. The 2022 campaign, “Celebrating Human Flourishing Through the NeuroArts,” will focus on the convergence between science, the arts, technology and the effects of these experiences on brain, body and overall health.

The NeuroArts represent the convergence between science, the arts and technology.

A former prima ballerina with Alzheimer’s disease listens to Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and begins to spontaneously perform from her wheelchair, lifting her arms in synch with the choreography stored deep in her brain.

A young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder uses her artwork to demystify her condition and work through her emotions.

A veteran who suffered a traumatic brain injury manages his epilepsy and PTSD by playing the ukulele.

All support scientific study that has proven that artistic experiences – both observational and experiential – measurably change the brain, body, and behavior, leading to improved physical and mental health, disease prevention, enhanced brain development in children, and more.

New this year, Palm Health Foundation, together with the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, is promoting a calendar of NeuroArts events. You can find these, and two of the foundation’s keynote Train the Brain events, by visiting https://www.palmhealthfoundation.org/events .

Train the Brain 2022 Keynote Events:

The effect of the arts on health and well-being has long been experienced by generations of people and cultures. But now as science and technological advances allow scientists to see and measure the effect of the arts on the brain, the field of NeuroArts is catching fire.

Palm Health Foundation is hosting a NeuroArts Learning Panel and Lunch at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18, at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience at One Max Planck Way, Jupiter, FL. During this free event, attendees will hear from local scientists, artists and community change leaders on the connection between the arts and brain health. Lunch and a self-guided tour of Max Planck’s “Images of Science” exhibit will follow the panel discussion.

Panelists include Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., Assistant Director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and Director of Community Engagement and Programming; Bama Lutes Deal, Ph.D., Cultural Concierge Program Manager for the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County; McLean Bolton, Ph.D., the Research Group Leader in Disorders of Neural Circuit Function at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience; and Kenya Madison, Ed.S., Senior Director for Healthier Delray Beach, a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative.

On Tuesday, October 25 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm , Palm Health Foundation, in partnership with Tamarack Institute, Tenacious Change, and EJS Project, will present, “Community Celebration,” a celebration of the arts and Palm Beach County culture during Community Change Experience 2022 .

This celebration takes place during the three-day Community Change Experience conference. The Palm Beach County community is welcome to join for free to mingle with conference attendees from across North America at the Delray Beach Arts Warehouse, 313 NE 3rd St., Delray Beach, FL 33444. Attendees will enjoy free food, live music and a dance performance provided by Digital Vibez, Inc. and other artistic expression provided by local artists.

“We know instinctively as humans that we are wired for the arts, and scientific studies confirm the many health benefits of exposure to artistic enrichment,” said Patrick McNamara, President and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Exploring the neuroarts is a natural extension of our brain health advancement work at the foundation. We and our partners are excited to champion the amazing science and cultural assets we have here in Palm Beach County.”

To learn more about Train the Brain, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org/train-the-brain  and follow Palm Health Foundation's social media for weekly brain health tips.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit  palmhealthfoundation.org  or call (561) 833-6333.

About  Train the Brain 
Train the Brain   is one of Palm Health Foundation’s annual community health campaigns and empowers residents to take charge of their brain health. The campaign aims to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. Participants are invited to change their thinking, integrate self-care into their daily routines and show compassion to individuals with acute and persistent mental health conditions.

Students Learn Essential Life Skills Through WiseTribe Program

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 17:48:05 GMT

WiseTribe students assemble healthy family meal kits.

Palm Health Foundation Making College Possible for Health Professions Students Amidst Financial Woes

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 16:26:07 GMT

Foundation awards over $400,000 in scholarships for low-income and first-generation students striving to pursue nursing and behavioral health careers as economic challenges—and shortages—grow.

As college enrollments continue to drop across the nation, Palm Heath Foundation is easing financial burdens for students pursuing degrees in nursing and behavioral health at colleges and universities across South Florida. Over $400,000 in scholarships were awarded to 61 undergraduate, graduate and doctorate students, who shared stories of how the lingering economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic were thwarting dreams of careers in fields that are facing devastating shortages.

Many Palm Health Foundation scholarship recipients suffered financial losses during the pandemic due to job loss or reduced incomes. Hardships wiped out college savings in some cases, while others found it nearly impossible to return to intensive courses of study while having to work full time to make ends meet.

“We have to make it financially feasible for students who have a passion for health professions careers to graduate and join the fields that desperately need their services,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “At a time when many students may feel the need to postpone or drop out of their programs, we are providing the hope and stability to realize their dreams and support the health of Palm Beach County residents while relieving their financial debt.”

Palm Health Foundation’s nursing scholarship recipients range in degrees from licensed practical nurse to doctor of nursing practice, fulfilling shortages from bedside care to nursing education. Graduates are needed across the board short term and long term. According to a recent McKinsey survey , 29 percent of responding RNs in the United States indicated they were likely to leave their current role in direct patient care, with many respondents noting their intent to leave the workforce entirely. The same study cited that if no actions are taken, there will likely be more patients in the United States who will need care than nurses available to deliver it with a gap between 200,000 to 450,000 nationwide. What’s more, nursing faculty is on the decline , resulting in fewer slots for students.

The need for mental health professionals is also great. Data from Kaiser Family Foundation shows the current supply of Florida’s working mental health professionals meets only 19% of the state’s need. The pandemic caused an increase in anxiety, depression, and demand for services that continues. According to EAB , job postings for social workers reached an all-time high in February 2022 across the nation and employment is expected to grow 12% from 2020 to 2030 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Leading Change for Better Health Through Friendship

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 20:53:05 GMT

Palm Health Foundation annually provides sponsorships to local organizations engaged in work that aligns with our mission and advances a culture of health in Palm Beach County. We support a program called Camp Wings of Friendship , presented by The Friendship Journey , a free virtual summer camp for teens and adults of all abilities.

Our support this year helped campers like Lexy, a 28-year-old with Down Syndrome and type 1 Diabetes, enjoy enriching experiences, increase social skills, make lasting memories, and connect with new friends.

Lexy works hard to manage her diabetes, and one day shared about the challenges she has faced throughout her life with her fellow campers. This was the first time she had expressed herself in such a vulnerable way, and she was celebrated and encouraged by her counselors and fellow campers. Through her camp connections, Lexy has built more confidence and realizes that she’s not alone in her struggles.

Lexy’s caregivers shared that Camp Wings of Friendship has made a huge difference in her quality of life. She has since connected with some of her new friends in person and continues to thrive.

The Palm Health Foundation board and staff are grateful for the opportunity to support The Friendship Journey. Our commitment to building a culture of health in our community includes supporting organizations and initiatives that promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles and tackle the social, economic and environmental factors that impact health for our neighbors. The Friendship Journey is building a community of strong social and emotional support for all who engage in their programs and are a wonderful partner in health advancement.

This Healthier Glades Advocate is Creating Belonging on the Soccer Field and Off

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 19:10:43 GMT

When Pahokee resident Josie Hernandez first became involved with Healthier Glades in 2018, the initiative’s program director at the time, Inger Harvey, knew she had the potential to become a community leader. Hernandez, an administrator at Pahokee High School, already had the passion and the vision for how she could bring the Hispanic community together in the Glades and advocate for their health and wellness through a shared cultural experience—soccer.

“Soccer is a cultural experience that brings Hispanics together,” said Hernandez. “We felt that we needed a soccer field in the Glades for our Hispanic community, parents and kids to share our lives and our identity, something that is very important to our family-oriented culture.”

A Pahokee soccer field had been on the table for many years, but never materialized. Realizing Hernandez had the passion to fight for it, but would benefit from advocacy training, Healthier Glades sponsored her to attend Community Organizing and Family Issues in Chicago. There, Hernandez learned to develop skills, confidence, and the power to be a catalyst for positive change.

“Our program fills so many needs,” said Hernandez. “Many of our kids have parents working in the fields, so they are left home alone until later in the evening without anything to eat. We provide healthy snacks, homework assistance and wellness programming—physical and mental.”

When it comes to mental health, Hernandez notes that the mere presence of the field and the team has benefitted the children. “The soccer field wasn’t just to benefit their physical wellness,” said Hernandez. “The kids knew they didn’t have the same resources as other kids, and that takes a toll on their mental health. This whole project started with a vision to offer our kids the same chances and opportunities as other kids.”

Now, Hernandez’s goal is so much more. “Our goal is to build not just great athletes, but great leaders in our community to impact the lives of others,” she said. “I am so grateful to Healthier Glades. Getting here hasn’t been easy, but they believed in me. It took that little push from them to say, yes you can do it, and now my dream has become a reality.”

Palm Health Foundation Spotlights Brain Health Innovation at Home of Frances Fisher

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 20:19:13 GMT

Over 80 philanthropists, scientists and community leaders gathered at the Palm Beach, FL, home of Palm Health Foundation trustee and philanthropy committee chair Frances Fisher on April 13, 2022, for a fascinating “Brain Health Innovation” cocktail reception. The event highlighted the foundation’s vision to make Palm Beach County a national leader in brain health advancement and celebrated the cutting-edge research resulting from its $1 million gift to the Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute . The gift helped establish a new program in computational brain science and health, supports four graduate fellowships under the program per year, and funds faculty pilot research projects.

As guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and Mrs. Fisher’s beautiful home, they met with three of the Ph.D. students who received the Palm Health Foundation fellowships, Yosun Yoon, Joseph McKinley and Jasmine Chan, and learned about their research targeted at understanding the underpinnings and treatment of various brain disorders. Dr. Randy Blakely , executive director of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, noted that the outstanding fellows excel in their fields of research, which target data-intensive investigations underlying Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and depression, among others, that benefit from computational approaches.

“Palm Health Foundation is honored to support these fellows in their contributions to the brain health field,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “We know that overall wellbeing is intimately connected to the good health of the brain. Our partnership with the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute is an example of the foundation’s commitment to fostering partnerships among philanthropists, brain science, community members and care settings that will lead to local and national impact.”

Mrs. Fisher spoke to guests about her own personal commitment to brain health through the establishment of the Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation to encourage individuals to enter and advance in the mental and behavioral health professions fields. She also praised the foundation for stewarding philanthropic donations toward funding significant research and brain health advancements. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Palm Health Foundation in propelling Palm Beach County toward being a national leader in the brain health field,” she said.

Guests included: Dusty and Joyce Sang, Margaret Donnelly, Earnie Ellison, Chris Siegrist, Margie Betton, Beth Elgort, Michael Dolce, Maggie Gill, Jessica Merrell, Jill Merrell, Clovis Moodie, Allan and Jill Shore, Joe LaBanz, Anna Ewing and John Capotosto, Lisa Williams-Taylor, Senator Gayle Harrell, Representative David Silvers, Palm Beach County Mayor Robert Weinroth and his wife Pamela, Vice Mayor Gregg Weiss, Commissioner Maria Marino, and Palm Health Foundation trustees David Wisehaupt (chair), Dr. Alina Alonso, Greg Quattlebaum, Denise Bober, Barbara James, Nat Nason and Stephen Zaloom.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333

A Nationally Recognized Vision for Mental Health Solutions

Wed, 25 May 2022 20:59:20 GMT

When Palm Beach County was recognized in November as one of 10 winners from across the United States of the 2020-2021 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Cult ure of Health Priz e , it kicked off a celebration that continues throughout our community and across the nation.

The latest blog from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shares how Palm Beach County is approaching mental health by co-creating solutions with residents who have lived experience and designing new ways to foster engagement, empowerment, and balance. It’s one example of how our community is pursuing innovative ideas, bringing partners together to rally around a shared vision of health, and working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity—all reasons why our county is nationally celebrated for creating a Culture of Health.

Centering the community in making its own decisions, confronting a long legacy of trauma and violence, and honoring genuine emotion are among the pathways to mental health that many residents of Palm Beach County are embracing.

Meet New Board Chair David Wisehaupt

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 16:17:31 GMT

David Wisehaupt, Managing Director, Wisehaupt, Bray Asset Management / Hightower, was recently elected chair of Palm Health Foundation’s board of trustees . Dave has served on the board for seven years, giving of his time and resources to better the health of Palm Beach County residents. We caught up with Dave to ask him about his experience as a trustee and vision as our new leader.

Q: How did you first get involved with Palm Health Foundation?

A: It was a way of giving back and trying to help others. Philippe Jeck, former chair of the foundation, and I have been friends for over 35 years. He was moving into a leadership role and asked me to get to know about Palm Health Foundation. It was a step-by-step process. I was first asked to become a member of the finance committee, then the board of trustees. I eventually chaired the finance committee and now I chair the board of trustees.

Q: What impact do you hope to make as chair?

A: It has been tremendous that this foundation has grown over time to more than $90+ million in assets and has given more than $89 million to improve health outcomes in Palm Beach County. What I hope to do is help grow the foundation further, for the sake of those people we get to help now and in the future. There is always going to be more help needed tomorrow than is needed today. I’m a real believer in planting trees that we will never get to sit under and enjoy the shade. We need to plant those trees and grow the organization, and as we grow our assets, look for those signs that come along that tell us where and when to grow our reach.

5 Questions to Guide Family Discussions on Charitable Giving

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:34:55 GMT

Making a charitable plan takes thoughtful preparation. Including family members can complicate the process -- your family might have diverse perspectives and varied philanthropic interests, making an agreed-upon plan challenging, but certainly not impossible.

Stephen Zaloom serves on Palm Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Audit Committee and Philanthropy Committee. Here, he shares five important questions families should ask themselves before they make charitable plans together.

1) Should we engage a professional advisor to start the conversation? While most advisors believe that discussions on family philanthropy are important, statistics show that as few as one-sixth of advisors initiate these discussions with their clients. Families with charitable objectives shouldn’t hesitate to open this important conversation.

2) Should we involve the next generation? Families should involve children and grandchildren in their philanthropy. This can establish family traditions, personal values and promote cooperation among family members. Charitable planning can also be part of a wealth transfer plan between generations, so educating family members on the estate planning tools being used can lay the groundwork for the next generation of philanthropists.

3) Should we incorporate estate planning tools into our philanthropy? Sometimes the outright giving of cash or appreciated assets is the simplest way for donors to make a lasting impact. However, families should consider planned gifts—those that incorporate financial or estate planning. Some planned giving options include partnering with a foundation or establishing charitable gift annuities, a donor advised fund or a split-interest charitable trust.

Establishing a relationship with a local foundation that has a mission in alignment with your family’s philanthropic goals can make planned giving easy. Foundation staff will match your interests with appropriate giving opportunities and manage all the work for you, providing regular updates on the impact of your gift, and allowing the family to be as involved or hands-off as they want to be.

A Palm Health Foundation Scholar Nourishes Body and Mind

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:22:45 GMT

Sara Martinez* has a heart that just keeps growing. Despite the domestic violence in her own personal life that left her feeling invisible and insignificant in the past, she has sought out opportunities to embrace others, letting them know there was someone who cared. The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund from Palm Health Foundation was one bright point that gave her a new start in life and so much more after she left her marriage. “The scholarship gave me a sense of fulfillment, a chance to give back and the opportunity to focus less on my unfortunate experience, knowing it would lead me to be the most happy in my personal and professional life,” said Martinez, a first generation college student.

Martinez’s passion for nursing began eight years ago as a hospice clinical social worker specializing in mental health. While working in the field alongside hospice nurses, she noticed that the mentally ill often fall through the cracks because of lack of representation. Martinez sees her role as their advocate amplifying when she completes her BSN degree from Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing with a goal to achieve her masters in psychiatric studies. “I hope that one day I will be a voice in different ways and advocate for the patient who is mentally and physically ill,” she said.

Martinez knows her experience as a social worker in a hospice setting will give her a solid grounding for both patients and their families as a nurse, particularly with difficult cases, or in the event of death. “My role is to provide emotional support,” she said. “I tell my clients now to use me, I want to be there for you, whether it’s the patient, or the families who are struggling.”

Martinez has been there for those in her personal life as well. She is the mother to a bright five-year-old daughter and two girls, ages 19 and two-years-old who “accidentally” chose Martinez to be their mommy. In 2019 she was awarded custody of a then two-month-old little girl whose mother was a teen dealing with mental illness and unable to provide for her. Martinez is a mother to both.

“I am heading to this new journey as a survivor of domestic violence and a single mom of three wonderful girls,” Martinez said. Besides the demands of a rigorous academic schedule and motherhood, Martinez is also caring for her mother who is battling cancer. In every aspect of her professional and personal life, she is preparing for a career of care and compassion. “The reward that I look forward to as a nurse is the difference that I will make in my patients lives by providing the best support to them while they are in the most vulnerable stages of their lives,” she said.

*Name changed to protect identity.

Debra Coffman Howe is giving back by removing the financial barriers to nursing education for Palm Beach County RN and LPN students seeking careers as bedside caregivers.

Resident Leader Pioneers New Ways to Support Community Mental Health

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 20:02:42 GMT

In honor of Black History Month, Palm Health Foundation is spotlighting a resident leader in our Healthier Together network who is pioneering new ways to support community mental health and overall wellbeing.

Palm Health Foundation Welcomes New Employees

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 18:21:31 GMT

Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, has appointed Pamela Perrin as stewardship manager and Brandy Shaw as administrative coordinator. Perrin and Shaw will fulfill important roles to advance the $100 million foundation’s philanthropic mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

FAU Names Palm Health Foundation Computational Brain Health Graduate Fellows

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 19:38:20 GMT

A $1 million gift last fall from Palm Health Foundation ( PHF ) has launched the Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute ’s “Computational Brain Science and Health Graduate Fellowships.” The gift, awarded through PHF’s Brain Health Innovation Fund, supports new technologies, treatments, resources and educational tools to advance brain health in the community.

FAU has selected four Ph.D. students whose work embraces computational neuroscience to receive the inaugural fellowships. They will be collaborating with FAU faculty on advanced research targeted at understanding the underpinnings and treatment of various brain disorders.

“With generous support from Palm Health Foundation, we are training talented young scientists who will contribute important knowledge and discoveries that will help to address some of our most pervasive and debilitating brain disorders,” said Randy Blakely , Ph.D., executive director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and a professor in biomedical science of FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine . “These outstanding Ph.D. students selected to receive our first fellowships excel in their fields of research, which target data-intensive investigations underlying Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, depression, among others, that benefit from computational approaches.”

Photo Source: FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

The recipients of the inaugural PHF Computational Brain Health Graduate Fellowships are:

Jasmine Chan : Chan is a fourth-year graduate student working under the mentorship of Teresa Wilcox , Ph.D., interim dean and chair, FAU Department of Psychology , within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science , and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; Terrence Barnhardt , Ph.D., an associate scientist, FAU Department of Psychology; and Behnaz Ghoraani , Ph.D., associate professor, FAU Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , within the College of Engineering and Computer Science , a fellow of the FAU Institute for Sensing and Embedded Networks Systems Engineering ( I-SENSE ), and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.

Chan will use a powerful signal processing approach and machine learning to dissect the patterns of brain activity that occur when individuals form ad hoc categories in novel situations. When people are presented with new situations, they often have to search their knowledge to form a new category of items that are appropriate to use for the given scenario. Interestingly, these ad hoc categories are not generated as effectively among older adults and patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Findings from this project could be used as a diagnostic tool to identify cognitive changes in patients at risk for, or suffering from, AD and other cognitive disorders as biomarkers for objectively selecting and developing treatment options.

Hadi Esfandi : Esfandi is a third-year graduate student who is working under the mentorship of Ramin Pashaie , Ph.D., an associate professor, FAU Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, within the College of Engineering and Computer Science, a fellow of FAU’s I-SENSE, and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. Esfandi will design a computational model to understand how altered neurovascular coupling supports AD risk. Neurovascular coupling is a process by which brain cells control the flow of blood to support neural function and health. Esfandi’s research will help to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease, develop new treatments and therapies for AD, and identify neurovascular signals for early detection of AD. Approximately 580,000 people are now living with AD in Florida and this number is projected to increase to more than 720,000 by 2025.

Joseph McKinley : McKinley is a fourth-year graduate student working under the mentorship of Christopher Beetle , Ph.D., associate professor, FAU Department of Physics , within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and Emmanuelle Tognoli , Ph.D., a research professor, FAU Department of Psychology and Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences , within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. McKinely will develop computational models to provide a theoretical foundation for the dynamic responses to neurostimulation. Neurostimulation is a health intervention that disrupts pathological states of neuronal activity, with broad applications in the treatment of many illnesses including Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and major depression. Such a framework will help tailor treatment protocols to the unique needs of individual patients, improving efficacy and minimizing side effects.

Yosun Yoon : Yoon is a fourth-year graduate student working under the mentorship of Sang Hong , Ph.D., an associate professor, FAU Department of Psychology within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. Yoon’s research is focused on computational models, which indicate that the strength of synchronization among brain networks promotes flexible cognitive behavior. Yoon will use a non-invasive brain stimulation technique to examine and model how synchronization of the frontoparietal network alters cognitive flexibility. The long-term goal of the project is to build a foundation for developing a drug-free treatment for people with deficits in cognitive flexibility, such as people with autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and major depressive disorder. In 2021, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that approximately 1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

“Palm Health Foundation is honored to support these fellows in their contributions to the brain health field,” said Patrick McNamara, President and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “We know that overall wellbeing is intimately connected to the good health of the brain. Our partnership with the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute is an example of the foundation’s commitment to fostering partnerships between brain science, community members, and care settings, with the ultimate goal of putting Palm Beach County on the map as a national leader in brain health.”

About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu .

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Beach County’s Largest Physical Activity Challenge, Let’s Move, Celebrates a Decade of Movement

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 18:34:06 GMT

Just 30 Minutes a Day Positively Affects Social, Physical, Mental and Emotional Health

Calling anyone that’s craving movement! The momentous 10 ^th annual Let’s Move Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge is back to motivate Palm Beach County residents of all ages to get up and get moving from March 1-31. Presented by Digital Vibez, Inc. and Palm Health Foundation , Let’s Move is a month-long, free activity challenge that encourages individuals and teams to participate by completing and logging 30 minutes of physical activity every day in March. In 2021, Palm Beach County logged more than 59 million minutes!

Leading the challenge will be Digital Vibez, a nonprofit organization that has gone viral for their dedication to empowering youth through dance fitness, technology, and the arts. Not only will they be offering high-energy, innovative events and activities for local adults and youth, but they will also be posting follow-along dance videos for all to enjoy in addition to creating content for senior citizens to participate in during the month of March.

All residents are invited to form teams, commit to exercising at least 30 minutes a day throughout the month of March, and log their minutes on the Let’s Move website . A calendar full of free, public virtual and in-person activities will constantly be updated on LetsMovePBC.org to encourage residents to keep moving toward their goals all month long. Each Palm Beach County city will host their own unique kick-off events with the largest opening event taking place in The Village of Wellington, last year’s winning team with over 26 million minutes logged, on March 1 ^st at the Wellington Amphitheater.

“We’re celebrating a decade of helping people reach their goals, so you better believe this year is going to offer the most unique, high-energy programs yet,” said Wilford Romelus, founder of Digital Vibez. “Our team is excited to help everyone from kids to senior citizens find inspiration through fitness while also focusing on all four areas of health: physical, social, emotional and mental. Our hope is that by leading this program, we can help the community start a gradual commitment to physical activity that can eventually lead to a lifelong habit.”

Teams will have the opportunity to enter for a chance to win weekly prizes on social media which will incentivize residents to meet their daily movement goals and aim for the highest number of collective minutes logged at the end of the month. A $1,000 grant will be awarded to the top team and school site/community-based/youth-focused program that logs the most minutes to support their physical activity programming.

Let’s Move was first launched in 2012 by Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s leading community foundation for health. Inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2010 Let’s Move national program to decrease childhood obesity, the foundation created the local challenge for adults and children to improve a variety of health issues through regular physical activity. The challenge promotes that daily exercise combats illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, and strengthens brain health and life expectancy, among other benefits.

“Not only are we celebrating a decade of hosting this county-wide community health campaign that engages all ages in better health practices, but the foundation is also marking our twenty-year anniversary which is a milestone in itself,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Physical activity is vital to overall health and wellness, and we look forward to continuing to build a local culture of health by motivating our residents to ‘move’ their way into the best version of themselves.”

Let’s Move will kick off on March 1 ^st at 4 p.m. with an in-person event at the Wellington Amphitheater, and via Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/DigitalVibezInc ) and YouTube. Teams that log the highest number of minutes by March 31 ^st , and several other awardees, will be recognized at a community celebration at the end of the challenge on April 8 ^th at Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach.

Team registration for the Let’s Move challenge is now open at www.letsmovepbc.org , and nothing would be possible without the help of FPL, a Let’s Move sponsor.

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Digital Vibez, Inc.
Digital Vibez is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Palm Beach County. Our mission is to empower youth in diverse and underserved communities through dance fitness, technology and the arts. Our innovative programs and events motivate and inspire youth to use their creativity and talents to develop healthier habits while expressing themselves through positive outlets and engaging activities. For more information about Digital Vibez, visit digitalvibez.org or call (561) 847-4521.

New Leadership Lab Unites Professionals to Tackle Health and Wellness Challenges, Eliminate Disparities and Build Networks

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 21:18:34 GMT

Nine-month lab to contribute to building Culture of Health Network in Palm Beach County.

Palm Health Foundation has announced the six Palm Beach County professionals who were accepted into the inaugural Culture of Health Network Leadership Lab. During the nine-month lab beginning in January 2022, the leaders will take on performance challenges to seek ambitious change in their organizations and the communities they serve, including equitable delivery of services, integration of physical health with behavioral health, and investing in the social determinants of health . Through professional coaching and peer learning, participants will focus on developing the tools, capacity and resources to achieve their aspirational goals and contribute to building a stronger culture of health network in Palm Beach County.

The 2022 Culture of Health Network Leadership Lab participants are:

During the nine-month lab, participants will engage in a performance challenge process that Palm Health Foundation has infused throughout its Healthier Together place-based grantmaking strategy during the last five years. The foundation will share their learning from centering residents at the core of developing health solutions around their own needs, and recognizing the complexity, culture, context and circumstances of diverse communities. The Leadership Lab is one of several efforts by the foundation to intentionally evolve and stoke a local Culture of Health Network to address Palm Beach County’s toughest challenges and eliminate health disparities.

“The lessons we have learned over the past five years from working closely with neighborhoods to leverage their own assets for building healthier communities have been recognized by national organizations and contributed to Palm Beach County winning the 2020-2021 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize ,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Sharing our experience around centering people and creating flourishing networks through highly-localized, community-driven efforts to address health challenges and disparities are the cornerstones of the Learning Lab—lessons we hope the participants will proliferate throughout Palm Beach County.”

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Marks Twenty-Years of Palm Beach County Impact, Bookended by the Greatest Crises of the Times

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 17:24:42 GMT

From the 2001 Anthrax attack to 2021’s COVID pandemic, Palm Health Foundation has invested in the health of Palm Beach County residents in times of crisis and for long-term systemic change.

Palm Health Foundation, founded in December 2001 as the successor to Good Samaritan and St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundations, is marking its twenty-year anniversary with a look-back at the impact it has made on some of Palm Beach County’s most significant health challenges. Bookended by 2001’s Anthrax attack and 2021’s COVID pandemic, the foundation’s history spans from investing in immediate needs during times of crisis, to funding initiatives for lifelong wellbeing to help all Palm Beach County residents thrive and reach their full health potential. During its twenty-year history, the foundation grew its assets from $50 million to more than $100 million through strong donor relationships and sound fiscal management and granted more than $85 million to the Palm Beach County community.

The foundation made one of its first grants in 2001 to the Palm Beach Medical Society in the wake of 9/11 and Boca Raton’s anthrax attack to establish the Healthcare Emergency Response Coalition of Palm Beach County (HERC) , a network of hospitals, emergency response agencies, and community disaster partners to collaborate on disaster and public health emergencies. HERC became a model project for the nation and for how Palm Health Foundation would deliver on its mission, “to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration.”

Bringing together multiple stakeholders to co-design solutions has become the foundation’s hallmark across its three strategic priority areas: building a culture of health, advancing brain health, and strengthening the health professions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an opportunity to address all three came together through the foundation’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund , established to take immediate action on residents’ urgent health and living needs. The effort was the catalyst for the formation of the “Rapid Response Team,” a new coalition of grassroots community, health, and behavioral health organizations and initiatives, that responds to residents with challenges ranging from COVID-related homelessness to mental health supports and hunger.

The foundation is also well known for its long-term commitments to Palm Beach County’s greatest health challenges. Significant investments and achievements in each of the foundation’s strategic priority areas since 2001 include:

Building a Culture of Health

The foundation’s Healthier Together initiative, launched in 2013, marked an evolution in the foundation’s investment strategy from clinical healthcare solutions to addressing the social, behavioral, and environmental factors at the root of health inequity, recognizing that a person’s zip code can influence their health outcomes more than their genetic code. The foundation invested $1 million in each of six neighborhood communities over multiple years to transform health through resident-led efforts that promote access to healthy foods, safe places to exercise and reduction of chronic stress to maintain good health over residents’ lifetimes. The initiative has been acknowledged by national organizations as a role model for other communities.

Advancing Brain Health

In 2017, the foundation announced The Brain Health Innovation Fund to support its vision to establish Palm Beach County as a national leader in brain health advancement by strengthening the local bonds between scientific research, community supports and quality care. It has since invested in expanding the nationally acclaimed Mental Health First Aid program in diverse communities, led a 100-day challenge to address the opioid crisis, and helped launch BeWellPBC , a behavioral health movement that is engaging the community’s residents, systems and sectors in meaningful ways to address county needs. A recent $1 million gift to Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute will support a new program in computational brain science and health.

Strengthening the Health Professions

Since 2001, Palm Health Foundation has been recognized by nursing leaders and educators for its dedication and $10 million investment to grow and strengthen the nursing workforce in Palm Beach County. In addition, the foundation has granted more than $3.5 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education and recently expanded its scholarships to include the behavioral health field.

Beyond monetary investments, Palm Health Foundation has led county-wide public health campaigns engaging all ages in better health practices. The “ Let’s Move Physical Activity Challenge ” kicked off in 2012 to encourage residents to complete 30 minutes of activity each day during the month of March. The program has been so successful, residents collectively logged 59,464,582 minutes during the 2021 campaign. Each October the foundation runs a “ Train the Brain ” campaign to improve brain health. With the information and resources provided, participants are invited to make changes in their thinking about mental health conditions, adopt brain health habits that integrate self-care behaviors into their daily routines, and show compassion to individuals with acute and persistent mental health conditions.

The culmination of Palm Health Foundation’s efforts in partnership with community led to one of its most significant achievements to mark its 20 ^th year. The foundation led the effort to apply for and win the 2020-2021 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s prestigious Culture of Health Prize in collaboration with Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County Youth Services Department, and many other community leaders.

Reflecting on how far the foundation has come since its founding in 2001, Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation said, “I’m most proud of the way our current work honors the foundation’s original vision while it also deepens and expands our impact and influence on resident health opportunity and equity. In the early years, our tagline was, ‘Together, we can do more.’ Our focus has always been, and will always be, on what our community can accomplish together.”

To read more about Palm Health Foundation’s twenty-year history and significant milestones, please click here .

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 $89 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 “Mini-Grants” for Behavioral Health Will Benefit Residents in 2022

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:44:48 GMT

Funding puts the power of change in the hands of residents and nonprofit agencies.

Pahokee, Fla.– As 2021 comes to a close, Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative, is investing in residents and nonprofit organizations to provide a range of programs to support behavioral health in Palm Beach County’s western communities in 2022. Funding from the United Way of Palm Beach County provided $10,000 of the $14,000 that was awarded as mini-grants to three residents and three organizations to implement their ideas for impacting behavioral health in the region. The funding is the third time Healthier Glades has awarded mini-grants for grassroots efforts since inception of the initiative in 2017, with a total investment of $60,000 to-date.

Healthier Glades convenes residents to address the vital conditions that affect behavioral health and wellness—a variety of social, economic and environmental factors such as employment and housing, that people depend on to be healthy and well. The mini-grant awardees received funding from $2,000 to $3,000 to deliver innovative programs during 2022 that will impact the lives of returning citizens, youth and families, and provide resources for chronic health conditions and protection from COVID-19.

Residents from Belle Glade who received mini-grants will lead the following initiatives:

Sara Puente of Sun Valley Healthcare will organize the “Take Charge of Our Health” community health fair for Glades residents, providing prevention and intervention screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and cancer.
Jeffrey Willis will offer a program from Muck City Anglers (MCA) the “Total MCA Experience,” a program created to enhance the lives of youth through recreational fishing to teach environmental stewardship and provide inspiration and group discussions based on everyday life topics.
Derrek Moore will offer a COVID-19 Prevention Program to provide hygiene kits and masks to Glade’s area residents to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and save lives.

Nonprofit organizations will lead the following initiatives:

People of Purpose, Inc . of Belle Glade will provide a Second Chance Job & Resource Fair. Executive director William Freeman and his team will bring together services for returning citizens and their families in the underserved communities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay, including employment assistance, housing, legal, education, voting rights and other community services such as transportation.
Restoration Destination of Pahokee will provide “Telehealth at Pelican Lake” under project leader Ted Rodarm to bring telehealth services to Glades returning citizens and their families, and later expand the program to all residents. The service will complement and create synergies with the organization’s other health and wellness services to raise the health of residents and increase their accessibility to healthcare.
Federation of Families of South Bay will create “Find Your Superhero,” a five-week virtual youth support group program for Glades children ages 5-17 who may be isolated due to the pandemic. Children will create avatar superheroes to help them overcome obstacles and build strengths in their own lives through identifying health and wellness superpowers.

Annie Ifill, project director for Healthier Glades, is inspired by the initiative and passion Glades community members have for helping others. “No one knows better how to strengthen the health and wellness of the people of our community better than the residents and grassroots organizations themselves,” said Ifill. “We’re putting resources into the hands of those who have the knowledge, insight and passion to lead change. We are grateful to the United Way of Palm Beach County for making these investments in our region possible.”

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About the Healthier Together Initiative
Healthier Together is a resident-led, community-driven, grantmaking approach developed by Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. This strategic initiative convenes residents to address a variety of social, economic and environmental factors that affect health outcomes. Healthier Together empowers residents to create their own solutions to make positive, healthy changes in the neighborhoods where they live, work and play. To learn more, visit healthiertogetherpbc.org .

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 $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation's Workplace Wellness Kit

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 19:06:26 GMT

Palm Health Foundation is focusing many of its resources on improving brain health in Palm Beach County because we know that our overall health and wellbeing is intimately connected to the good health of our brains. We established Train the Brain , with a goal to encourage residents to adopt good brain health habits into their daily routines.

During the 2018 campaign, the foundation partnered with Quantum Foundation and Leadership Palm Beach County’s Breakthroughs Summit to encourage 100 human resources professionals to complete Mental Health First Aid training, an 8-hour course that teaches participants how to help individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis and connect them to appropriate resources. We were pleased that more than 100 participants completed the course, but were extremely concerned to learn how significant mental health issues are in the workplace.

Palm Health Foundation is committed to “practicing what we preach.” Many of our staff and board members have completed Mental Health First Aid training. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we maintained a workplace culture of wellness by holding virtual staff check-ins and mindfulness exercises, during which staff were encouraged to share openly about their mental health and emotions.

We are proud to offer our Train the Brain Wellness Kit to our community and beyond. This comprehensive kit provides resources, statistics and ideas for businesses, non-profit organizations and civic groups to bring better brain health to the workplace.

Even if you are not currently a member of the workforce, you can participate. If you would like to start a brain health routine, you can use Wellness Kit materials for your own personal growth or to launch a wellness campaign in your school, place of worship, civic group or neighborhood.

We hope you will use this wellness kit to help advance brain health in workplaces everywhere. Visit our Train the Brain page to download the kit !

Palm Beach County Leaders Celebrate Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize Award

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 21:02:37 GMT

Palm Beach County receives national prestigious award for advancing health, opportunity, and equity.

Top health and community leaders gathered for a watch party on November 9, 2021 at Palm Healthcare Pavilion in West Palm Beach, FL, when Palm Beach County was recognized as one of 10 winners from across the United States of the 2020-2021 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize during a virtual ceremony. The Prize honors and elevates communities for working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity. Palm Beach County now joins Broward County, Eatonville, and Miami-Dade County as the fourth Florida community to win the distinguished Prize.

Palm Health Foundation, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, and Palm Beach County Youth Services Department collaborated on the application process for the prize that shared the county’s collective commitment to the social determinants of health, including Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures, an alliance of over 300 organizations supporting the healthy growth, development and education for children prenatally through young adulthood.

At the watch party, Gregg Weiss, Palm Beach County Commissioner, Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, and Tammy Fields, Director of the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department, shared welcomes and thanked the many organizations and individuals who participated in the year-long prize application process.

Palm Beach County is being nationally recognized for pursuing innovative ideas and bringing partners together to rally around a shared vision of health, including, expanding equitable access to behavioral health, focusing on youth and being accountable for their success, and elevating resident leadership. Learn more in the prize overview video:

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County

The Council is a local, special-purpose government created by Palm Beach County voters in 1986 and reauthorized in 2014. For 35 years, it has provided leadership, funding, services and research on behalf of the county’s children so they grow up healthy, safe and strong. If you have questions related to Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County and/or media inquiries, please contact Shana Cooper, Public Information Officer, by clicking here .

About Palm Beach County Youth Services Department
Palm Beach County Youth Services Department is a department of the Palm Beach County government established by the Board of County Commissioners in 2015 to empower youth and families to realize their full potential and be the driving force of a thriving community. The Department provides direct behavioral health services in addition to providing funding for families and community agencies serving the needs of youth and families in the community.

Palm Health Foundation Donors Honor Nursing and Behavioral Health Professions Scholarship Recipients

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 20:46:23 GMT

On November 2, 2021, Palm Health Foundation donors came together to honor the foundation’s 2021 nursing and behavioral health professions scholarship recipients at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach, FL. The event was an opportunity for scholarship recipients to be recognized for their commitment to their professions and to meet the donors supporting their education and career advancement. The 2021 scholarship program invested $424,188 in 62 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs at South Florida universities. Frances Fisher, who generously created The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation where she serves as a board member and philanthropy committee chair, underwrote the scholarship reception at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens where she serves as chairwoman.

Mrs. Fisher opened the program by welcoming the 113 guests to the Gardens and recognizing the care and compassion the scholars will bring to their patients throughout their careers. Denise Bober, Palm Health Foundation board chair and The Breakers Senior Vice President, Human Resources, told her family’s poignant personal story about establishing The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund . Named for her granddaughters, born just 24 weeks into her daughter Melissa’s pregnancy, the fund “honors our precious miracle Sutton and memorializes her angel sister Kailey,” Bober said. “Our little Kailey shined her presence on this earth for a mere 24 hours when God called her to come to Heaven. Baby Sutton remained brave and strong, survived heart surgery and spent 111 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before we were able to take her home. To this day we are overwhelmed with gratitude and want to ensure that other families have the same nurturing, quality care when they need it most.”

Bober went on to recognize the 2021 scholars and their donors, including Frances Fisher, Pam Gladstone and Elizabeth Rosenthal representing the B.J. & Paula Harris Fund Scholars, and Jill Merrell and the 2021 John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund. Scholars also received awards from several funds at Palm Health Foundation, including: The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund; The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund; The Charles Norton Adams Nursing Endowment Fund; The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Scholarship Fund; The Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund; The Peter and Elinka Ordway Nursing Scholarship Fund; and The Palm Health Foundation Nursing Advancement Fund.

Recognizing the enormous challenge the scholars have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO, Patrick McNamara, saluted the students. “You are here because you’ve demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a true desire to serve your neighbors through this pandemic and beyond,” he said. “Palm Health Foundation is proud to support, honor and uplift you as you continue your journey.”

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Opens Scholarship Application for Nursing and Mental/Behavioral Health Professions

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 16:27:55 GMT

Foundation dedicated to growing health workforce in Palm Beach County as state shortages loom.

West Palm Beach, Fla.– Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, will open applications for nursing and mental/behavioral health scholarships on November 1, 2021. The scholarships are administered by the George Snow Scholarship Fund and encourage individuals with financial need to enter and advance in the nursing and mental/behavioral health professions. Applicants must be residents of Palm Beach, Broward or Martin County, Florida, and apply by the February 1, 2022 deadline. The application, eligibility criteria and instructions are available on the George Snow Scholarship Fund website at www.scholarship.org .

“There is a perfect storm brewing across Florida as our nursing and behavioral health workforce shrinks while our population and behavioral health needs increase,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “The pandemic has only added to the crisis with nurses leaving the field and both children and adults experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety but unable to find professional care.”

One of the nursing workforce solutions cited by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is to increase the number of nurse faculty opportunities. Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships address a range of shortages, including faculty, by providing needs-based scholarships to nurses in undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs.

Behavioral health professions scholarships address a range of needs as well by providing financial support to those seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas. The foundation’s investment in the behavioral health workforce is aligned with the goals of its Brain Health Innovation Fund to advance brain health in Palm Beach County.

“Our community of donors has recognized the importance of advancing our health professions workforce in Palm Beach County by joining with us to support dedicated students with the desire to serve,” said McNamara. “We are grateful for their support and encourage others to advance health for all by contributing to our Nursing Advancement Fund or creating their own personal donor advised fund in support of nursing, behavioral health, or any health-related cause to benefit Palm Beach County.

Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001 due to the generosity of donors and the foundation’s commitment to nursing advancement in Palm Beach County. For more information about Palm Health Foundation scholarships, please contact Leslie Cornwell at lcornwell@scholarship.org , 561-347-6799, or Channon Ellwood at cellwood@scholarship.org , 561-347-6799 at the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

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Palm Beach County Receives RWJF Culture of Health Prize For Innovative Efforts to Create a Thriving Community

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 15:31:22 GMT

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Recognizes Palm Beach County for Taking Residents’ Lead in Creating a Healthier Community

Palm Beach County is one of 10 winners of the 2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Prize honors and elevates communities for working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity.

Palm Beach County is being nationally recognized for pursuing innovative ideas and bringing partners together to rally around a shared vision of health. Palm Beach County’s award-winning efforts recognized for building a culture of health include:

Expanding equitable access to behavioral health. Greater reach and equity is being attained through countywide initiatives like BeWellPBC bringing together residents, providers and systems around solutions, and hyper-local efforts such as residents of “The Set,” Delray Beach’s historic Black community, creating partnerships with the faith community to overcome mental health stigma while respecting culture in the Haitian community.
Focusing on youth and being accountable for their success. Through Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures , Palm Beach County is promoting trauma informed care, honoring youth resident voices in its collaborative work, and encouraging a new generation of advocates to shape an even brighter future for the community.

Elevating resident leadership. Maximizing the power of residents to make a direct impact on their own communities is creating change through grassroots organizations like the EJS Project in Delray Beach, which is dedicated to empowering youth. Another example is Lake Worth Beach’s Wall of Unity , a resident-led transformation of a wall that once represented segregation to a new symbol of people of all races and cultures coming together to break down barriers of hate and injustice.

Palm Health Foundation, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County and Palm Beach County Youth Services Department collaborated on the application process for the prize that shared the county’s collective commitment to the social determinants of health, including Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures, an alliance of over 300 organizations supporting the healthy growth, development and education for children prenatally through young adulthood.

“We are honored to receive this nationally recognized award,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “We know that one of Palm Beach County’s greatest strengths is how our health organizations, funders, nonprofits, and community residents collaborate and support one another in advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all.”

Palm Beach County will receive a $25,000 prize, join a network of Prize-winning communities, and have its inspiring accomplishments shared throughout the nation. The other nine winning communities are: Addison, Ill.; Alamosa County, Colo.; Chickaloon Native Village; Drew, Miss.; Howard County, Md.; National City, Calif.; Rocky Mount, N.C.; Thunder Valley Community—Oglala Lakota Nation (Oceti Sakowin Territory), and Worcester, Mass.

Palm Beach County now joins Broward County, Eatonville, and Miami-Dade County as the fourth Florida community to win the distinguished Prize.

“The 2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize winners are striving to make good health and well-being achievable for all their residents,” said Richard Besser, MD, president and CEO of RWJF. “They understand the clear connection between the opportunity for health and education, jobs, and housing. They are leaning into community-led solutions that break down barriers caused by structural racism and other forms of discrimination.”

To become an RWJF Culture of Health Prize winner, Palm Beach County had to demonstrate how it excelled in the following six criteria:

Defining health in the broadest possible terms.
Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions.
Creating conditions that give everyone a fair and just opportunity to reach their best possible health.
Maximizing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.
Securing and making the most of available resources.
Measuring and sharing progress and results.

“We credit this honor to our community’s commitment to co-creating health solutions with residents,” said Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. “We’re working together to remove barriers and build a culture of health for all who call Palm Beach County home.”

Tammy Fields, Director of the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department added, “Recognizing that health starts in families with our young people, and creates the foundation of health for a lifetime, is so important to the work we do as a community.”

Learn about the Prize-winning work underway in Palm Beach County through a collection of videos, written profiles, and photos at www.rwjf.org/prize .

Share About Palm Beach County's Culture of Health Prize Win

Our county is proud to accept this honor. Prize partners invite you to share about our win far and wide. Use the Culture of Health Prize Media Kit to share our community's stories in your newsletter, on your social media pages and within your networks.

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001.

About Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County Foundations, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park and Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens Unite to Thank Nurses

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:53:46 GMT

Palm Health Foundation and Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties fund Thank Our Healers program to recognize nurses’ important contributions during COVID-19 and beyond.

West Palm Beach, FL – John D. MacArthur Beach State Park and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens are welcoming Palm Beach County nurses and their guests to enjoy complimentary admission thanks to the Thank Our Healers program funded by Palm Health Foundation and Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties . Thank Our Healers follows the successful launch of the program in May 2021 during National Nurses Week as a way to show appreciation and offer nurses a time for respite and relaxation in support of their mental health during exceptionally challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both art and nature have been shown to have positive effects on mental health, and the combination of the two in “creative green prescription programs” have demonstrated synergistic benefits on psychosocial wellbeing. On any given day, nurses experience anxiety and burnout, and there is strong evidence that the pandemic has caused nurses to experience unprecedented levels of stress.

Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park will provide complimentary entrance fees for nurses and their families (a carload up to eight people) to enjoy this beautiful barrier island paradise and its many amenities to relax and recharge. Commenting on the success of the program, Veronica Frehm, executive director of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park shared, “This grant has brought much happiness to so many people already. We are so thrilled to be part of this effort to thank local nurses for their dedication to the health of our community.” To enjoy free entrance, nurses will drive through the main entrance, show their nurse ID and then are welcome to explore the beautiful park. Passes are available until they run out.

When the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens opens for the season on November 3, 2021, it will welcome Palm Beach Nurses to visit for free as well. The complimentary admittances will allow for 1,000 nurses to visit the Gardens with a guest from November 2021 through June 2022 or when passes run out. Visiting nurses and their guests will enjoy an urban sanctuary of almost two acres, including Norton’s historic house with exhibition galleries, her studio, monumental sculptures and tropical gardens of rare palms and cycads, and the opportunity to enjoy programs and events, including the Jazz and Gospel in the Gardens series in honor of Black History Month in February. Nurses will receive a gift of Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens signature notecards. Reservations are required and nurses must show ID upon admission.

Also opening on November 1, 2021, is Palm Health Foundation’s call for scholarships for nursing and mental/behavioral health professions. The foundation’s scholarships are intended to encourage individuals with financial need to enter and advance in the nursing and mental/behavioral health fields and build a highly skilled workforce. Applicants must be residents of Palm Beach, Broward or Martin County, Florida, and apply by the February 1, 2022, deadline. The application, eligibility criteria and instructions are available on the George Snow Scholarship Fund website at www.scholarship.org .

“Nurses are at the core of a healthy community,” said Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO. “We are dedicated to helping nurses achieve their highest ambitions while supporting their own mental health and wellbeing through programs like Thank Our Healers. We are grateful to the Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park and Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens for helping us take care of those who take care of us.”

If You Go

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr,

North Palm Beach, FL 33408

macarthurbeach.org

To enjoy free entrance, nurses will drive through the main entrance, show their nurse ID and then are welcome to explore the beautiful park.

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

253 Barcelona Rd.

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

ansg.org

Reserve tickets through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ansg-thank-our-healers-2021-2022-tickets-123085525119 . Nurses must show ID upon admission. The Gardens are closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001.

Since the foundation’s inception in 2001, it has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships and invested more than $10 million in initiatives to build a highly skilled nursing workforce that provides care across all settings and supports optimal health in the community including care transitions and care coordination. As Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, Palm Health Foundation works with donors to make contributions to its Nursing Advancement Fund or to create donor advised funds in support of nursing, behavioral health, or any health-related cause to benefit Palm Beach County.

For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties strives to serve as a catalyst for building vibrant communities through meaningful philanthropy. The nonprofit organization has provided more than $150 million in grants and scholarships over its nearly 50-year history. With more than $250 million in assets, it is one of Florida’s largest community foundations. Through the support of its donors and fundholders, the Foundation has been able to address some of the community’s most pressing needs, including hunger, housing and education. www.yourcommunityfoundation.org

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FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Receives $1 Million from Palm Health Foundation to Launch Program Merging Brain and Computational Sciences

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 20:27:47 GMT

Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute announced today it has received $1 million from the Palm Health Foundation to launch and support its new Program in Computational Brain Science and Health (PCBSH). The gift is awarded through Palm Health Foundation’s Brain Health Innovation Fund, supporting new technologies, treatments, resources and educational tools to advance brain health in the community.

“Palm Health Foundation’s gift supporting the launch of the program will be transformative, attracting distinguished neuroscientists and the neuroscientists of tomorrow to Palm Beach County,” said Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D ., executive director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. “This phenomenal opportunity will showcase Palm Beach County as a leader in advanced neuroscience research that can enhance the lives of our citizens and the health of our communities, bringing hope to those diagnosed with brain health challenges.”

This gift will accelerate FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s drive toward a new era of neuroscience research, education and community engagement, supporting the recruitment of a nationally prominent computational neuroscientist to lead the PCBSH, as well as PCBSH program activities, including the computational training of Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute neuroscience graduate students; the procurement of advanced technologies needed for faculty research; and resources to foster collaborative research among computer scientists, neuroscientists and brain health specialists appointed across multiple FAU colleges, research institutes and FAU campuses.

“FAU and Palm Health Foundation have a long standing partnership in promoting better brain health and wellness in the community through the ‘ Brainy Days ’ series, ‘Train the Brain’ campaign events, and ‘Research in Motion’ lectures,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “The foundation’s support of the Program in Computational Brain Science and Health will ignite additional innovation in research, education and community engagement in the brain health field, and will inspire those beyond.”

Palm Health Foundation is a fundraising and grantmaking organization that exists to improve health in Palm Beach County. The foundation’s vision is to see all community residents have opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential.

“Palm Health Foundation is widely recognized as a leader in advancing research, innovative technologies and community inclusion to improve the health of Palm Beach County residents,” said Chris Delisio , vice president of institutional advancement and CEO of the FAU Foundation. “We’re honored and privileged to be the beneficiary of this most recent example of leadership in action. The Palm Health Foundation is a valued partner to FAU.”

Funding and naming opportunities are available for all levels of FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute facility, which is set to open in spring 2022. For more information, visit www.fau.edu/ibrain . For more information on Palm Health Foundation, visit www.palmhealthfoundation.org .

About Florida Atlantic University:

Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.

About the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute:

Inaugurated in 2016 on the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, Fla., the newly named FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, supports research, education and community outreach among more than 100 faculty level researchers at FAU and its affiliate research centers. One of FAU’s four pillars that guide the University’s goals and strategic actions, the Institute seeks to unlock the secrets of brain development, function and plasticity and how the mechanisms uncovered can be compromised to drive devastating brain disorders. From the study of neuronal development and signaling to investigations of brain diseases including addiction, autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, researchers from FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute seek to generate knowledge that benefits society. For more information about the Institute and its members, visit http://fau.edu/ibrain/ .

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

A Future Physician Reflects on Her Internship at Palm Health Foundation

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 16:32:50 GMT

Upon starting my internship at Palm Health Foundation, I was quickly included in various meetings like those for the foundation’s Rapid Response Team . This team received COVID-19-related stories from 1,000+ individuals in the community using a software called SenseMaker , identified those in need of immediate assistance, and reached out with resources ranging from food to mental health. Ultimately, I took on the role of reading the submitted stories, selecting the most urgent ones, and forwarding them to other members of the Rapid Response Team. Helping this team was truly a full circle experience, as I would later have the opportunity to hear other team members report back on how they helped these individuals.

Beyond the Rapid Response Team, my work with the SenseMaker software allowed me to contribute at varying levels to many of Palm Health Foundation’s other projects, which illuminated the foundation’s broad scope of work. From helping design a SenseMaker tool for the nonprofit Siblings of Murdered Siblings to converting and updating the collective SenseMaker framework used for the Healthier Together Communities’ mini grants, I had the opportunity to see the many shapes and sizes public health approaches can take.

Lastly, I worked with Director of Grants & Evaluation Andy McAusland in the beginning phases of a new community-based research project Palm Health Foundation is conducting in the Glades. This project will use SenseMaker to collect stories from residents of the Glades community and let them determine for themselves the most important health-related areas for local research institutions to investigate. My experience on this project was one of the many that reaffirmed my decision to intern with the foundation because this project was used as an opportunity to engage directly with residents of the Glades community. We hired and trained local residents to serve as facilitators for this project and enabled them to use their unique personal experiences to guide the formation of our SenseMaker prompt and tool. Just as Palm Health does in its numerous other initiatives and projects, we encouraged the community to take action to help itself. After all, who knows the specific issues faced by a community better than members of that community?

Leaving this internship, I feel like I now possess a much clearer perspective on approaching health inequities. This is a skill that will prove immensely valuable in my future role as a physician because there is no “one size fits all” solution to the health inequities that persist in countless communities, including my own here in Palm Beach County. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to spend my gap year interning with Palm Health Foundation and am thankful for all the great people I met and worked with this year. I would particularly like to thank Andy for all the time and attention he devoted this year so that I would get the most I possibly could out of this experience. Interning with Palm Health Foundation was such a collaborative and supportive experience and I look forward to using all that I have learned in my future career.

Palm Health Foundation’s October Train the Brain Campaign to Link the Mysteries of Neuroscience with Caring for Our Own Mental Health

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:29:02 GMT

Campaign offers two free virtual educational events with nationally renowned experts on how cutting-edge research is changing what we know about the brain and how to keep it healthy.

Palm Health Foundation ’s fifth annual Train the Brain community health campaign kicks off on October 1, 2021 with this year’s theme, “Connecting Brain Science, Community & Care.”

Throughout October 2021, the foundation will promote information that relates scientific research to practical brain health tips that can help build a better brain, and offer two free virtual educational events featuring nationally acclaimed brain health experts, Arthur Evans, Jr., PhD , CEO of the American Psychological Association, on October 5, 2021, and Amishi Jha, PhD , professor of psychology at the University of Miami and director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, on October 19, 2021. Both events will enlighten audience members on the connections between the latest scientific research and the tools for maintaining and improving brain health.

Palm Health Foundation, through its Brain Health Innovation Fund , has invested in advancing new technologies, treatments, resources and educational tools for better brain health in Palm Beach County, which the foundation believes can be a hub for advancing brain health. To that end, the foundation and Florida Atlantic University's Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute will make an exciting announcement during the October 5 ^th event that will promote momentum toward a new era of neuroscience research, education and community engagement, as well as support area residents' wellness and longevity.

“Palm Health Foundation wants to put Palm Beach County on the map as a national leader in brain health advancement by strengthening the local bonds between scientific research, community supports and quality care,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “We have incredible local assets that can collaborate to advance research and reduce the stigma around mental illness by helping residents understand that taking care of their brains is just as important as taking care of their bodies.”

The speakers chosen for the two educational events are both deeply invested in better brain health for individuals and communities. Dr. Arthur Evans is the CEO of the American Psychological Association (APA), the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. Before joining the APA, Dr. Evans spent 12 years as commissioner of Philadelphia's $1.5 billion Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. In that post, he emphasized a data-driven, population health approach, which improved outcomes for diverse people with complex needs. The system in Philadelphia has become a national and international model, particularly for governments desiring to improve health equity.

In Dr. Jha’s laboratory at the University of Miami, she uses functional MRI, electrophysiological recordings and behavioral analysis techniques to understand why our attention sometimes fails us, and if it can be trained for greater focus and less distractibility. She launched the first-ever study to offer mindfulness training tools to active-duty military service members as they prepared for deployment. What she has discovered is that without intervention, attention is compromised, and attentional lapses increase. Yet, with mindfulness training, attention can be strengthened and protected. Her new book, Peak Mind, offering stunning new insights into where presence and purpose really come from, will launch the day of her October 19 ^th speaking event. Sixty registrants will win a free copy of Peak Mind.

Palm Health Foundation invites the community to learn from these brain health leaders about how cutting-edge research is changing what we know about the brain and how to keep it healthy at the following free Train the Brain virtual events:

The New Frontier: The Science Behind Better Brain Health
Tuesday, October 5, 2021, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Free event on Zoom and Facebook Live
Palm Health Foundation and the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute have an exciting announcement to make! Hear about advancements underway in the local brain science field and learn from the CEO of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Arthur Evans, as he provides a framework for how we can take neuroscience tools and strategies and best apply them to promote the mental wellness of the whole population.

The Power of Attention: Finding Presence & Purpose

Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm

Free event on Zoom and Facebook Live

Research shows that we are missing 50% of our lives. Why? Because we aren’t paying attention. External demands on our attention are higher than ever, and as a result, we feel mentally foggy, scattered and overwhelmed. Hear from acclaimed neuroscientist Amishi Jha, PhD, as she scientifically determines how we can harness the full power of our attention to better meet what life demands.

Sixty registered attendees will win a copy of Dr. Jha’s new book, Peak Mind .

For more information about Train the Brain, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org/train-the-brain and follow Palm Health Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for weekly brain health tips in October.

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Train the Brain
Train the Brain is one of Palm Health Foundation’s annual community health campaigns and empowers residents to take charge of their brain health. The goal of the campaign is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. Participants are invited to make changes in their thinking, integrate self-care into their daily routines and show compassion to individuals with acute and persistent mental health conditions.

A Spotlight on the Healthier Together Initiative

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:22:47 GMT

Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Together initiative is featured in the newly published book, Aligning Systems for Health: Two Years of Learning, presented by Georgia Health Policy Center at Georgia State University. This book discusses insights and practical approaches to aligning diverse partners in working to improve health, equity, and well-being in communities.

Starting on page 164 of the book, the Healthier Together initiative is presented as an example of collective action toward better health and community-wide change in Palm Beach County. The book is available to download for free – check it out!

Healthier Together, and Palm Health Foundation’s general grantmaking, is also featured on the Grantmakers in Health’s website in this “Grantmaker Profile.” The profile highlights our history and commitment to building a culture of health in Palm Beach County.

A Corner Store Becomes an Oasis in an Unlikely Food Desert

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 16:28:14 GMT

Driving through the Glades agricultural community and its 500,000 acres of fertile farmland, it’s hard to believe an area so rich in produce could be a food desert for low-income residents. Understanding the complexities that make accessing and consuming healthy fruits and vegetables a challenge begins with going to the heart of the matter—the residents themselves. Their insight has led the way for “The Healthy Corner Store,” a concept launched by United Way of Palm Beach County’s Hunger Relief Initiative with support from Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation initiative, American Heart Association, University of Florida/IFAS, The Glades Initiative , and local churches, elected officials, and other community partners. United Way of Palm Beach County was one of only 20 chapters to be chosen by United Way Worldwide for this new program that supports corner store owners committed to increasing the healthy food inventory in their stores while encouraging customers to make healthier choices.

For many vulnerable Glades residents, their only option for purchasing food for their families is their local corner store. Large supermarkets are an hour away, especially inaccessible when you don’t own a car. Even if they could reach a grocery store, fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive and beyond a limited household budget (some Glades communities have as many as 41% of residents living in poverty). Add to the list of challenges the fact that some residents do not own refrigerators and can’t risk purchasing foods that will quickly spoil, and it becomes clear why our Glades neighbors face an uphill battle for something many of us take for granted.

That’s where the Healthy Corner Store concept comes in. While corner stores don’t normally carry a wide variety of fresh produce, they are a staple of the community from which to build. “Corner stores have good relationships with customers—the clientele was already there,” said Julie Kreafle, United Way of Palm Beach County’s vice president for hunger relief. “We came together with local partners and residents to make sure the community fully participated in the planning and implementation of the concept and that it would be a sustainable solution.”

Healthier Glades, with its deep roots and trust within the community, became an important partner for including residents’ voices in decisions about what the stores would carry, and in promoting the produce and nutritional education. “People want to eat healthy, but when you look at the cost, many don’t have the means,” said Annie Ifill, Healthier Glades project director. “The Healthy Corner Store has been very positive for our community and our focus on promoting behaviors around healthy eating that will improve health outcomes.”

Sam’s Food Store in Canal Point, first launched as a Healthy Corner Store in December 2019, has become a model for the initiative. With a grant and guidance from United Way of Palm Beach County’s Hunger Relief team, the store purchased a refrigerator and freezer to store and display produce. Part of the grant funds deliveries of the most desired produce, chosen based on resident surveys, including onions, green peppers, oranges, bananas, and blueberries. Residents can purchase produce with Fresh Access Bucks, SNAP, EBT cards or United Way vouchers. Feedback from the community also led to the store carrying hard boiled eggs and the deli section switching to healthier options, including salads, wraps, and fruit salads. With a school right across the street, the youngest members of the community are also now exposed to healthy eating and behaviors that could last a lifetime.

Since December 2019, United Way has shipped nearly 4,000 lbs. of fresh food to Sam's Food Store with additional community partners supporting the effort, including the American Heart Association, UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program, the Glades Initiative, and local churches. Through its marketing committee, Healthier Glades is assisting with coordinating outreach, education and food demonstrations and momentum is growing, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans are in the works for additional Healthy Corner Stores in South Bay and Belle Glade.

“We need people embedded in the community to make this successful,” said Liz Cabral, United Way of Palm Beach County’s manager for hunger relief. “People need to know the Healthy Corner Store is inclusive and it’s there for them to access healthy foods in a convenient, affordable way.”

Palm Health Foundation Scholarship Recipients’ Lived Behavioral Health Experience Inspires Career Trajectory

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 15:43:53 GMT

Students encourage others to consider mental health career
as need for professionals skyrockets.

Mental health trauma can strike anyone at any time. In fact, 70 percent of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lifetimes, defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. Trauma can often have long-term effects, but for two Palm Health Foundation scholarship recipients, personal and family trauma experiences were the defining moments that put them on a career path to helping others with a deep sense of empathy. As skyrocketing mental health needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic add to mental health practitioner shortages, these students are encouraging others with lived experiences to enter the field.

A Career Where She Belongs

Conquering the “Big Bad Wolf” in Vulnerable Communities
De-Shaunah Dixon, a Palm Health Foundation Nursing Advancement Fund scholarship recipient working toward her degree as a psychiatric nurse (BSN to DNP PMHNP) at FAU, has experienced mental health trauma as well. Her brother battled with depression before getting in a fatal motorcycle accident in 2014, and she sees how trauma is pervasive in the low-income minority community she grew up in, where discussing mental health is seen as taboo. It is precisely these vulnerable communities where she has committed her service, knowing that more education and resources are needed. “Certain cultures look down on mental health challenges,” she said. “Looking back at my brother and mother and their battles with mental health challenges, it was very hard to accept and even have the conversation at the time. As a society, we look at psychological disorders as the big, bad wolf. I don’t want people to be afraid.”

De-Shaunah also hopes to dispel the fear that some health professionals feel about pursuing a career in behavioral health. For the last two years she has worked at a nonprofit Baker Act facility in Fort Lauderdale, providing emergency mental health services to people impaired because of their illness, an experience that has helped her more deeply understand the connection between chemical and physiological conditions. “Many nurses are afraid because of stigma, not experiences,” she said. “Our field needs more effort, funding and resources. It’s not as well researched as the medical field and can seem scary to take on the unknown, but you can use your passion to become a pioneer in a field that has so much potential.”

“I think we have this idea that there are ‘helpers,’ and then there are those who need help, as if we are all one or the other. In reality, we can be both. I hope someday we normalize that those of us impacted by mental health struggles are valuable assets in mental health recovery.”

We Can All Be Helpers
Both Amanda and De-Shaunah are grateful for the scholarships that will help them realize their very personal career goals, inspire others to enter the field and bring more understanding to it. “I think we have this idea that there are ‘helpers,’ and then there are those who need help, as if we are all one or the other,” said Amanda. “In reality, we can be both. I hope someday we normalize that those of us impacted by mental health struggles are valuable assets in mental health recovery.” De-Shaunah sees her scholarship as enabling her to become an asset to her community as well. “This scholarship has fueled my passion to further my education in the field and make connections in my community,” she said. “I know that my community needs me to advocate for mental health awareness in vulnerable populations. The root of my passion resides in appreciating the life we are blessed with and being there to support, cherish and bring light to the lives of others.”

Palm Health Foundation Awards over $400,000 in Scholarships to Bolster Nursing and Behavioral Health Professions in Wake of COVID-19

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 17:52:14 GMT

Behavioral health professions shortages remain while recent national study shows that 22% of nurses may leave their current positions providing direct patient care in the next year.

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Nurses and behavioral health professionals have been stretched to the limit during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a May 2021 study from McKinsey and Company, “Nursing in 2021: Retaining the healthcare workforce when we need it most,” 22% of nurses in the U.S. may leave their current positions providing direct patient care in the next year. At the same time, the behavioral health profession nationwide shortage has been exacerbated by the pandemic with 30% of psychologists stating they cannot meet the demand from patients according to the American Psychological Association . A bright spot amidst these challenges in Palm Beach County is Palm Health Foundation’s investment in nursing and behavioral health professions scholarship awards, recently providing $424,188 to 62 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs. Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3.5 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001 and recently expanded its scholarships to include the behavioral health field.

The scholars who applied for funding from Palm Health Foundation shared that their deeply personal experiences are the reasons for why they wish to enter or advance in their fields. Some describe saving or losing COVID-19 patients as reasons for their calling. Many tell the stories of family members’ illnesses: a mother with stage 4 liver cancer; a father with a brain tumor; and a brother who committed suicide. Another student described his own challenges living with sickle cell disease. They are a highly diverse group with some students born and raised in Palm Beach County and some natives of Haiti and Jamaica. Others are hoping to serve their community after serving their country as U.S. Army or Navy veterans.

Palm Health Foundation partners with the George Snow Scholarship Fund to administer scholarships to students attending Palm Beach County colleges and universities, including Palm Beach Atlantic University, South University, Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College, Barry University and NOVA University. Degrees range from bachelor’s to doctorate, with many seeking to become RNs, family nurse practitioners, psychiatric nurses and social workers. Nursing scholarship funding is provided through Pam Health Foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund and donor advised funds including the Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund , the B.J. and Paula Harris Scholarship Fund , Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund and the Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund . The foundation’s behavioral health professions scholarship funding is provided by the Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund and the John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund .

“A career in healthcare is a calling.” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Nurses and behavioral health professionals who have experienced illnesses in their own families, or have been impacted by COVID-19, have deep empathy and compassion that will benefit the physical and brain health of countless patients in Palm Beach County. We are honored to have the opportunity to help them reach their professional goals while advancing our community’s healthcare workforce.”

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Students Selected for the John T. Merrell Scholarship

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:24:08 GMT

Two scholars were selected to receive financial support from The John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund as they continue their studies toward careers in the behavioral health professions. The Merrell family established this fund, in honor of a beloved husband and father, to support students who will become leaders in their fields, serve our community and society, and advance new technologies and innovations in the prevention and treatment of mental illness.

“We know that this fund honors John’s memory. Our partnership with Palm Health Foundation helps us work toward goals that are deeply personal to our family.” – Jill Merrell

John T. Merrell Scholars thank the Merrell family for their support.

PHF President & CEO Featured in the "Unsung Stewards" Podcast

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:14:49 GMT

Our President & CEO Patrick McNamara was interviewed in the first episode of ReThink Health ’s new podcast Unsung Stewards, titled “Community-Driven Response to the Pandemic.”

In times of crisis, organizations can resort to top-down responses. But when his community faced COVID-19, Pat McNamara threw that playbook out the window. What if local leaders were the ones naming their needs and aspirations? In the first episode of #UnsungStewards, Pat shares how his team shifted to a hyperlocal approach.

Healthier Lake Worth Beach Celebrates Unity

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:06:10 GMT

The Whispering Palms Community and Healthier Lake Worth Beach , a Palm Health Foundation initiative, unveiled the Wall of Unity this month, a project 11 months in the making. Since January 2021, local professional artists and residents have joined together to fill every space on the 1,175 foot long wall with art murals that represent the past, present, and future of the community. The murals are symbols of the exciting transformation that will forever stand for people of all races and cultures coming together to break down the wall’s barriers of hate and injustice.

Built in 1954, the wall served as an unofficial border between residents of the "Osborne Colored Addition" and their white neighbors in the Whispering Palms community at Lake Worth Beach’s south end. In 1954, the city's zoning code required Black residents to live in the Osborne subdivision. It remained that way until 1969.

"For today’s generation and society, that wall does not represent segregation anymore," said Retha Lowe, the city's first Black commissioner and a lifelong resident of the Osborne community next to the wall. "It’s about bringing our city together — all types of people. That's what it represents today for our community — a wall of unity.”

The unveiling event included multicultural food, music and games.

Welcoming Brandy to the Team

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 22:17:29 GMT

Brandy Shaw has joined the Palm Health Foundation team as Accounting & Grants Coordinator.

"Thank Our Healers" Offering Rest and Relaxation

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:13:33 GMT

The Thank our Healers program , co-funded by Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties , is ongoing and making big impact for our community’s hardworking healthcare heroes. The program offers free admittances to Palm Beach County nurses and their guests at top local attractions. So far, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium have welcomed over 500 nurses and their families and are now extending the opportunity to nursing students as well.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park has welcomed 100 nurses and their guests. “This grant has brought much happiness to so many people already,” said Executive Director Veronica Frehm. “We are so thrilled to be part of this effort to thank local nurses for their dedication to the health of our community.”

A family enjoying the beautiful scenery at John D. McArthur Beach State Park as part of the Thank our Healers program.

The Thank Our Healers program is ongoing; nurses can continue to take advantage of free admittance until passes run out at each location.

An Update on the Culture of Health Prize

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 18:53:38 GMT

We announced in February that Palm Beach County is a finalist for the Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Prize , an honor that uplifts communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity and equity for all. This month, we completed the application process and are now awaiting results. The final stage of Palm Beach County’s review included community reflection sessions in which resident leaders and community partners shared about the collective work that is spurring health advancement across our neighborhoods.

Regardless of the prize outcome, Palm Health Foundation is proud to be part of a community in which shared leadership is creating health solutions with health equity and the social determinants of health at the core. It has been an honor to collaborate with Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County , Palm Beach County Youth Services Department and many other community partners to submit Palm Beach County’s application for the award.

WATCH: A video overview of our diverse Palm Beach County community, presented in the final phase of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize review.

Palm Health Foundation Grants Funding to Increase Health Equity for Breast and Cervical Cancer Care

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:33:03 GMT

West Palm Beach, FL – Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, has provided a grant to the Promise Fund of Florida to increase access to affordable breast and cervical health care services to women in need. The funding will support the hire of a “provider network recruiter” who will identify new and existing community resources to expand Promise Fund of Florida’s Continuum of Care Model throughout Palm Beach County to increase health equity and help reach its goal of ensuring all women, regardless of income, receive affordable, timely, high quality, breast and cervical screenings, diagnostics, treatment, and follow up care. Palm Health Foundation joins Quantum Foundation in jointly funding this new position.

The Promise Fund of Florida was co-founded by Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen, Julie Fisher Cummings, and Laurie Silvers, three women who have spent decades working to improve quality of life for men and women of all socioeconomic backgrounds in many different areas of need. They founded the Promise Fund of Florida to fill the gaps in access to healthcare and help those in need in Palm Beach County to reduce the number of deaths due to late-stage breast and cervical cancer. Florida ranks last in the United States for the number of women under 65 who have insurance, magnifying their vulnerability to death from cancer because the lack of insurance delays diagnosis and treatment with catastrophic results.

The provider network recruiter will play a critical role in developing partnerships closest to target populations where multiple barriers to care exist, including transportation, language, finding childcare and taking time off from work. The Promise Fund has mapped imaging and screening facilities in Palm Beach County to identify gaps and serve as a blueprint for where the provider network recruiter will create partnerships for affordable cancer care services with physicians, clinics, hospitals, and other providers for Promise Fund participants. The goal is to identify a minimum of 15 health care providers to serve 300 or more women.

“The Promise Fund understands as we do that a person’s health outcomes depend just as much on her ZIP code as her DNA code,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “We also recognize the impact the provider network recruiter will have on health equity by creating systems change. Rather than expecting residents to find a way to get to healthcare systems, healthcare systems need to bring their services to the people, especially those with the greatest barriers.”

Palm Health Foundation is confident the new role is poised for success. With the Continuum of Care Model, the Promise Fund of Florida has already formed fundamental partnerships with Baptist Health South Florida, Caridad Center, Marie Louise Cancer Foundation, Community Health Center, Simply-Anthem, Hologic, FoundCare, Palm Beach County Medical Society, Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, Quantum Foundation, Uber Health, Genesis Community Center, Florida Atlantic University School of Nursing, the Northwest Community Health Alliance, and the Health Care District. Through their Patient Navigator Network, which has six partners, over 5,000 women have received outreach and education, and over 1,000 have benefited from navigation services. The provider network recruiter will also work closely with the Promise Fund’s patient navigator coordinator who guides women who have abnormal findings, through the health care system to reduce deaths due to late-stage breast and cervical cancer.

This Promise Fund grant is Palm Health Foundation’s second funding opportunity in recent years to focus on access to women’s cancer care. In 2020, the foundation joined with Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties to provide a grant to Susan G. Komen from its Helen and Harold Bernstein Endowment Fund and Frank & Jennie M. Palen Cancer Support Fund to support a community breast health navigator position in the Glades.

“We are proud to partner with Palm Beach County foundations to support women’s health,” said McNamara. “With almost 2,000 women in Palm Beach County diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer each year, we know the impact on saving lives through our funding is significant,” said McNamara. “No matter where a woman lives, her race or her circumstances, she deserves the care that could save her life.”

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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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Grantee Spotlight: Dovecot Farm

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 17:11:55 GMT

Palm Health Foundation supports Dovecot Farm’s Barn to Bedside Retreat, a unique equestrian experience led by Chief Compassion Officer Sarah Palmer and tailored specifically for nurses. Local healthcare heroes come away from the retreat feeling truly relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to continue their compassionate care for our community.

Celebrating Diversity Through Art

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:15:48 GMT

Palm Health Foundation's Healthier Together communities and BeWellPBC support mini grant programs that are making huge impact throughout our community. Katie Bortniak, a therapist at Vita Nova, Inc. received a mini grant to support her program titled, “Celebrating Diversity,” a series of free art workshops offered to youth clients at Vita Nova and the general public.

The program connects healing and mental wellbeing with art experiences, including an “Eye 2 Eye” workshop which gave participants a chance to reflect on how they perceived themselves in relation to the world around them. An art therapist guided participants through painting an eye and then painting the “inner you” within it.New Paragraph

Watch: A Healthier Neighbors mini grant supported Palm Beach Maternity Center in assisting two underserved minority families with their birthing process.

An Angel Child's Legacy

Tue, 18 May 2021 21:59:39 GMT

The birth of a family’s first grandchild is one of the most celebrated milestones in life. Few families are prepared for what Denise Bober and her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Michael Donlon and family, experienced.

On February 6, 2014, Melissa was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center. Her twins, already named Sutton and Kailey, were born 24 weeks into her pregnancy and weighed only 1.2 lbs and 1.1 lbs respectively. Kailey shined her presence on this earth for a mere 24 hours before God called her to come to heaven. Baby Sutton remained brave and strong, survived heart surgery and spent 111 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Today, Sutton is a beautiful, happy, sassy, thriving 8-year-old daddy's girl who likes to give her mother a hard time.

During Sutton's long stay in the hospital, every day was an emotional rollercoaster for the family. Despite this, they found great comfort in the gentle care and nurturing provided by an incredible nursing staff, who were well trained, and had selfless hearts and large amounts of love to give.

The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund was established to support Palm Beach County’s nursing community through scholarships and programs that focus on skills and professional development to ensure quality nursing in Palm Beach County. Because of the gratitude Denise and her family have for the nurses who helped little Sutton grow and thrive, her fund will ensure that other families will have the same quality care. Honoring Denise’s granddaughters through philanthropy is a family tradition that will live on for years to come.

Palm Beach County Organizations Unite to Thank Nurses by Offering Free Family Experiences at Top Attractions

Wed, 05 May 2021 16:47:44 GMT

Palm Health Foundation and Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties fund Thank Our Healers program to recognize nurses’ important contributions during COVID-19 and beyond.

West Palm Beach, FL–In recognition of National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2021, Palm Health Foundation and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties are announcing the launch of the Thank Our Healers program that will offer complimentary admittances to Palm Beach County nurses and their guests at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park , the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens to recognize their devotion to patient care. The foundations joined together to fund the program to show appreciation and offer nurses a time for respite and relaxation in support of their mental health during exceptionally challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative follows the successful Healers in the Gardens program at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens first offered to 500 nurses in fall 2020 and funded by a grant from Palm Health Foundation.

The three county attractions offer nurses a variety of experiences:

Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park will provide complimentary entrance fees for 700 nurses and their families (a carload up to eight people) beginning on May 6, 2021 until passes run out. Nurses will have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful barrier island paradise and its many amenities to relax and recharge. To enjoy free entrance, nurses will drive through the main entrance, show their nurse ID and then are welcome to explore the beautiful park.

The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is offering 1,100 free admissions for nurses and family members beginning May 6, 2021 until passes run out. Thank Our Healers passes provide admission for up to 8 people per party. Guests will experience exhibits including Journey Through the Human Brain and Dinosaur Revolution and enjoy outdoor activities such as the Fisher Family Science Trail and miniature golf Conservation Course for a fun and educational family outing. To redeem free admission, nurses must show their employee ID at the admission counter when they arrive. Admission is first-come, first-served.

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is currently offering visitor passes on a first-come, first-served basis through June 2021 at this Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ansg-healers-in-the-gardens-2020-2021-tickets-123085525119

The Gardens will again offer visitor passes for 1,000 Palm Beach County nurses with a guest when their next season opens in October 2021. The program ends in June 2022 or when passes run out. Each visiting nurse and their guest will enjoy an urban sanctuary of almost two acres, including Norton’s historic house with exhibition galleries, her studio, monumental sculptures and tropical gardens of rare palms and cycads. Guests will receive a gift of Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens signature notecards. Nurses will be able to claim their passes in the fall of 2021 at a forthcoming Eventbrite link.

Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO, sees the unique partnership program as a meaningful extension of the foundation’s long history of recognizing the contributions of nurses and its dedication to growing and strengthening the nursing workforce in Palm Beach County. “We are grateful to the Community Foundation for joining with us to offer our county heroes time for self-care at these exceptional cultural and recreational areas,” he said. “More than ever, nurses deserve our gratitude and recognition of their selfless dedication, especially during the pandemic. We appreciate the community organizations who have come together to show how much we care about their wellbeing.”

If You Go

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr,
North Palm Beach, FL 33408

macarthurbeach.org

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium

4801 Dreher Trail North
West Palm Beach, FL 33405

sfsciencecenter.org

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

253 Barcelona Rd.

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

ansg.org

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001.

For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About the Community Foundation

The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties strives to serve as a catalyst for building vibrant communities through meaningful philanthropy. The nonprofit organization has provided more than $150 million in grants and scholarships over its nearly 50-year history. With more than $200 million in assets, it is one of Florida’s largest community foundations. Through the support of its donors and fundholders, the Foundation has been able to address some of the community’s most pressing needs, including hunger, housing and education. www.yourcommunityfoundation.or g

A Candid COVID-19 Conversation

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 16:51:23 GMT

The Healthier Together communities and BeWellPBC Community Connectors sat down for a conversation with local medical professionals to discuss COVID-19 related updates impacting Palm Beach County communities, vaccination information, positive community approaches to help navigate the pandemic and strategies to minimize the spread of the virus.

Part 1 of the "Let's Talk" COVID-19 Conversation:

Building a Culture of Health with Mini Grants

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 16:40:14 GMT

Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Together communities and BeWellPBC support mini grant programs that are making huge impact throughout our community. Mini grants are just what they sound like – small amounts of funding that local organizations and individuals can apply to receive. The foundation has been amazed and inspired by the way that these grants have launched brand new programs and furthered the reach of local efforts to better resident health and wellbeing.

We’ve collected mini grant stories on our YouTube channel so you can see how truly impactful they are. Visit our channel to see:

“Healthier Neighbors Mini Grants” - Jeanette Marshall, project director of Healthier Neighbors , explains her community’s mini grant process and how the residents and organizations receiving the funding are advancing behavioral health for their neighbors in unexpected, innovative ways.

“I am Serenity” – A natural hair stylist starts a program out of her salon that educates local young ladies on caring for their natural hair. Participants also meet and learn how to journal their feelings and build confidence and self-esteem.

“Bridge to Infinity” – Douglas Lawson launches a youth entrepreneurial program focused on the working class. Participants learn skills in financial literacy, including investing, savings and credit.

“BarberShopTalks” – A local pastor launches a program that creates a safe space for men to come together and verbally process their thoughts and feelings, and seek counsel from other men in their community.

Palm Beach County Residents Break Let’s Move Campaign Record with 59,464,582 Minutes of Physical Activity Logged in March 2021

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 17:45:00 GMT

Winners announced at April 16 ^th Let’s Move award ceremony.

West Palm Beach, Fla.– The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t hold back Palm Beach County residents from breaking the record for logging the highest number of physical activity minutes in the Let’s Move! Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge ’s nine-year history. From all across Palm Beach County, 378 teams comprised of 1,337 individuals participated in the March 1-31, 2021 campaign, logging 59,464,582 minutes of walking, running, Zumba dancing and a variety of virtual activities to take charge of their health during the pandemic. The campaign made a remarkable comeback from the prior year when 4 million minutes were logged at the beginning of the pandemic during March 2020.

Presented by Palm Health Foundation and Digital Vibez, Inc. , Let’s Move invites residents to form teams and commit to exercising at least 30 minutes a day. The highly competitive campaign has teams from municipalities, county organizations, and other groups all vying for top prizes, which were awarded at the April 16, 2021 Let’s Move Celebration Event and Awards Ceremony. Hosted by the KVJ Show’s Virginia Sinicki at a live presentation at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium and carried throughout the community virtually through Zoom, Digital Vibez unveiled the winning Let’s Move teams with the highest number of physical activity minutes.

The City of Wellington was named the Let’s Move top team for 2021 with 26 million minutes logged. The top five teams are:

Top 5 Teams:

1.The City of Wellington

2. The City of Delray Beach

3. The City of West Palm Beach

4. The School District of Palm Beach County

5. Palm Beach County Sports Wellness and Recreation

Top 5 Sub-Teams:

Winning sub-teams, groups within a team who log minutes collectively, are:

1. The City of Delray Beach Parks and Rec

2. The Village of Wellington

3. AroundWellington

4. City of West Palm Beach Residents

5. VFitness Squad

Individual Let’s Move Champions:

The following Individuals were recognized as “Champions” for their exceptional involvement and commitment to increase resident participation in the Let’s Move challenge:

1. Rosa White of Boynton Beach

2. Frank Verney, Coleman Park Community Center in West Palm Beach

3. Andrea Bruton, Delray Beach

4. Angela Williams, Delray Beach

5. Liz Nunez, The Village of Wellington

Top Youth Centered Program:

Let’s Move awarded a special $500 grant to the community-based, youth-focused program that logged the most minutes to support their physical activity programming. The winner of the grant was The City of Delray Parks and Recreation.

Video Contest Winner
Each year Let’s Move invites community members to submit a video to the support the campaign. The Florida Health Department, Palm Beach County took home the top award for their video, “ Let’s Move on the Outside .” Employees created an original song and showed their dance moves to promote the benefits of physical activity on mental health and overall wellness.

Sinicki also recognized Let’s Move sponsors, including Joe DiMaggio Children’s Health Specialty Center, Valley Bank, Wisehaupt, Bray Asset Management and Quantum Foundation. Wilford Romelus, founder of Digital Vibez, joined Sinicki to share a few words with attendees. “This is the campaign’s 9th year and we could not be prouder of the amazing results!” he said. This past year was full of unexpected challenges for everyone, but we came back stronger than ever!”

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, shared: “We all did it together, and that is what Let’s Move is about—taking charge of our health as a community by integrating physical activity, nutrition and healthy behaviors into our daily lives, and having fun while doing it!”

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Digital Vibez, Inc.
Digital Vibez is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Palm Beach County. Our mission is to empower youth in diverse and underserved communities through dance fitness, technology and the arts. Our innovative programs and events motivate and inspire youth to use their creativity and talents to develop healthier habits while expressing themselves through positive outlets and engaging activities. For more information about Digital Vibez, visit digitalvibez.org or call (561) 847-4521.

Palm Beach County, FL, Selected as Finalist for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 19:46:38 GMT

Community Improvement Efforts Contribute to Progress

in National Prize Selection Process

West Palm Beach, FL – Palm Beach County, Florida, was chosen as a finalist for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize. As a 2021 finalist, Palm Beach County is one step closer to the national Prize, which honors communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. Palm Health Foundation , Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County and Palm Beach County Youth Services Department collaborated on the application process for the prize that shared the county’s collective commitment to the social determinants of health, including Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures , an alliance of over 300 organizations supporting the healthy growth, development and education of children and youth prenatally through young adulthood.

Palm Beach County joins eight other finalist communities from across the country. Winners will be announced this fall.

“We are pleased to advance as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize finalist community,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “We know that one of Palm Beach County’s greatest strengths is how our health organizations, funders, nonprofits and communities collaborate and build on each other’s strengths with a lens that focuses on health, opportunity and equity for all, and now the rest of the nation will, too.”

“We credit our advancement to Prize finalist to how we are co-creating solutions with residents to build a culture of health,” said Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. “We’re working together to remove barriers to better mental and physical health in all aspects of life to create lasting impact.”

The other 2021 finalists include:

Anne Arundel County, Md.

Bastrop County, Texas

Freehold Borough, N.J.

Green Bay, Wis.

Howard County, Md.

Rocky Mount, N.C.

Salinas, Calif.

Thunder Valley Community-Oglala Lakota Nation (Oceti Sakowin Territory)

“RWJF Culture of Health Prize communities offer important examples of places where partners are coming together to cultivate a shared commitment to equity so all residents can thrive,” said Richard Besser, MD, RWJF president and CEO. “We look forward to connecting and speaking with residents and community leaders in each finalist community to learn more about how they are achieving meaningful and lasting change.”

To get to this stage in the process, communities had to showcase the breadth of work and collaboration happening across sectors to expand health opportunities for residents. To become a finalist, Palm Beach County had to demonstrate how its efforts reflect the six Prize criteria:

Defining health in the broadest possible terms.
Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions.
Creating conditions that give everyone a fair and just opportunity to reach their best possible health.
Maximizing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.
Securing and making the most of available resources.
Measuring and sharing progress and results.

If selected as a Prize winner, Palm Beach County will be given a $25,000 prize and a national platform to share their story and lessons learned with the country. The community will join with and learn from other national and community change leaders, including past Prize- winning communities.

To learn about the work of the 44 previous Prize winners, visit www.rwjf.org/prize .

The RWJF Culture of Health Prize is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

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Media Contacts

Otero Communications

Melanie Otero, melanie@otero.com , 305-321-6447

Jennifer Martinez, jennifer@jlmcommunications.net , 561-301-4998

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County

The Council is a local, special-purpose government created by Palm Beach County voters in 1986 and reauthorized in 2014. For more than 30 years, it has provided leadership, funding, services and research on behalf of the county’s children so they grow up healthy, safe and strong. For more information about Children’s Services Council, please visit www.cscpbc.org .

About Palm Beach County Youth Services Department

Palm Beach County Youth Services Department’s mission is growing brighter futures by providing quality service, education, and access to resources and opportunities. For more information about Palm Beach County Youth Services Department, visit www.pbcgov.com/youthservices/ .

About Birth to 22

Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures supports the healthy growth, development and education of Palm Beach County children and youth so that they can graduate from high school and succeed in life. The Birth to 22 Alliance is a Palm Beach County coalition, with more than 300 contributing community partners, that sets priorities and acts to improve the lives of children and youth. For more information, visit pbcbirthto22.com .

Mini Grants are Making a Big Impact in the Healthier Jupiter Community

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:45:27 GMT

In 2020, Healthier Jupiter accepted an impactful donation that helped expand their mini-grant program . For the past five years, the initiative has provided mini grants that fund community projects addressing healthy eating, active living and mental health. Funding from The Morgan Hoffman Foundation enabled Healthier Jupiter to provide two additional $2,500 grants to fund projects focused on reaching children and their families.

The Morgan Hoffmann Foundation is dedicated to helping others affected by debilitating diseases and those who seek to achieve a healthier life through research, science and holistic methodologies. One of the projects that received their mini grant funding is Fresh RX , an innovative, “food as medicine” farm to hospital program. Click here to read more .

Transforming Communities Through the Social Determinants of Health

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 17:14:06 GMT

As we continue to celebrate five years of the Healthier Together initiative, Palm Health Foundation leadership shares how Healthier Together has transformed Palm Beach County communities in this article , written for Grantmakers in Health :

Click image to read article

The article highlights how the foundation worked to shift traditional power dynamics between funder and grantees, and put the community’s voice at the forefront of funding decisions. The Healthier Together initiative transformed Palm Health Foundation into a local steward of shared resources, and from an organization that invested in systems to one that invests in residents for the better health of all.

Healthier Lake Worth Beach Helps Revitalize Historic Unity Wall

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 17:08:30 GMT

Healthier Lake Worth Beach , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together community, helped orchestrate the revitalization of Lake Worth Beach’s Unity Wall, a structure that once segregated the white and black sides of town. The revitalization project is bringing together artists from all over South Florida to paint murals along the wall symbolizing unity, peace and other uplifting messages. This wall is bringing residents together during a particularly divisive time in our country’s history and is meant to inspire the community to remember its past but push forward toward a brighter, more unified future.

Amplifying Community Voices

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 16:46:05 GMT

Palm Health Foundation began collecting personal stories from community residents in 2018 in order to better understand our communities and give them a voice, connect youth with their local history, and develop activities to improve health and well-being. Recognizing the complex web of factors that influence health outcomes, the foundation used the SenseMaker® tool and methodology to collect these stories. The tool allowed residents to play a central role in assessing, evaluating, and responding to the challenges in their neighborhoods.

Our SenseMaker survey has allowed us to collect valuable information from residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the creation of our Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund , which is providing immediate assistance to those with urgent need.

Beyond the pandemic, however, we are using SenseMaker® to collect diverse data from all over our county on many different topics, including racial injustice and general reflections on the year 2020. You can view our story collections at www.PHFShares.org .

We want to hear from you! Share your story and you will be entered for the chance to win a $25 gift card!

Click here to share your story now.

Learning about Community Health through Stories and over “Tables”

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 17:42:56 GMT

Érika Canda Reflects on her Internship at PHF

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

I discovered Palm Health Foundation (PHF) two months after I graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University, where I studied Biology (Pre-Med). By that time, I had decided to pursue a career in public health, a decision mostly impacted by my cultural background. I am an international student from Mozambique, a country where until this day, most of the population does not have access to quality healthcare. So I was beyond happy when I came across PHF, which was doing outstanding work to support health equity in vulnerable communities.

While interning at PHF, I saw how devoted the organization was to engaging community voices in our COVID-19 Rapid Response team meetings. These meetings were a space where community leaders, PHF and BeWellPBC staff, and local partnering organizations could support each other in finding ways to assist Palm Beach County (PBC) residents who had been immensely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. At first, my role was to organize the stories that residents shared on SenseMaker (a digital story collection tool), and by the end of the year I was also identifying which stories connected to residents in need of immediate assistance. I sent these stories to our partnering organizations, Volunteer Nursing Corps and Community Partners of South Florida .

Connecting with Glades Residents Over “Tables”

While interning at PHF, I also had the opportunity to be part of a Community Convening project that brought the first “Network Table” to Healthier Glades , one of PHF's Healthier Together communities. The Network Table is a model designed by Open Table, a nonprofit that uses relational and social capital to transform communities all around the world. Like PHF, Open Table also seeks to help people overcome social challenges and live healthier lives. During the implementation process, I worked alongside community leaders like Ms. Vere Jenkins and Miss. Eva Reese who, along with Andy McAusland, Director of Grants and Evaluation at PHF, graduated from the first Open Table training in the Glades in 2019. With the support of PHF, Ms. Jenkins and Ms. Reese have launched five “tables” in the Glades. These tables are composed of “friends” (those who receive table support) and “table members” (those who provide support).

In the Summer of 2020, we went through an intensive Community Convening Training, led by Open Table CEO Jon Katov and Managing Director Angie Williams. During this time, there was a lot of brainstorming and planning on how this model could benefit the Glades. We discussed how a Network Table could bring resources to help children disadvantaged by the digital divide, be an additional source of relational and social capital to existing tables, and support families already being assisted by local organizations.

Being a part of this process was exciting. I got to lead a LinkedIn training session for the implementation team, help Veree coordinate our meetings, and keep a record of our discussions. Although we finished our training in late September, we still had some work left to do. We needed to understand how residents viewed their community, what they saw as its strengths, challenges, and needs. We interviewed 30 Glades residents from different backgrounds. My role in all of this was to organize the collected data and help identify any trends. This information brought us one step closer to having a fully established Network Table ready to help residents.

As my internship comes to an end, I can't help but cherish all of the opportunities that I had through PHF. I couldn't have imagined that I would be working with so many incredible people dedicated to social change. I want to thank every PHF staff member for being so welcoming and kind and Patrick McNamara, the foundation’s president and CEO, for being such a compassionate leader. A big thank you goes to Andy McAusland for fostering an intentional learning environment for all interns. This experience will always stay with me.

Nursing Scholar Finds Solace at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens Through Healers in the Gardens Program

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 13:58:12 GMT

West Palm Beach, FL – When Palm Beach State University nursing student and Palm Health Foundation nursing scholarship recipient Elizabeth Lubin heard about Healers in the Gardens, a complimentary day of art and nature at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) offered to nurses, she jumped at the chance. It has been a challenging year for 34-year-old Lubin, a resident of Deerfield Beach, FL. In addition to the stress of COVID-19, Lubin was diagnosed with cancer just before the pandemic struck. The experience she had at ANSG in West Palm Beach, FL, with her husband on January 9, 2021 was exactly what the sculpture garden and Healers in the Gardens funder Palm Health Foundation had intended, a day of peace and respite in beautiful surroundings in appreciation of nurses.

“A peace came over me being there,” said Lubin. “Nurses should take advantage of this experience, especially if they are working during the pandemic and have stress. The garden will let them forget about it for a little while and given them peace.”

Lubin was especially struck by the “Seven Beings,” a group of colossal figures carved from huge blocks of Norwegian granite. To Lubin, the awe-inspiring sculptures had great meaning. “It inspired me to think that even though we all are facing different paths, directions, and challenges, we are in this together,” she said.

Lubin also thought of the many people who have come together to help her continue her nursing career path while fighting cancer. The diagnosis came just as Lubin was applying for a nursing scholarship from Palm Health Foundation through the George Snow Scholarship Fund to advance her career from an LPN to an RN. While she kept her illness hidden at the beginning of the application process, it was the urging of Palm Health Foundation nursing scholarship fund donor Debra Coffman Howe that kept Lubin looking forward and made it possible for her to continue working toward her goal of becoming a critical care nurse and eventually a nurse anesthesiologist.

Lubin now considers her cancer journey a benefit to her education and career. “I turned into the patient instead of the student,” she said. “I will be that nurse helping patients who are in the position I was once in.”

About Healers in the Garden

Healers in the Gardens is a free day of art and nature at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) for healthcare heroes funded by a grant from Palm Health Foundation. The program offers nurses and their guests complimentary admittance to ANSG through June 30, 2021, or until guest passes run out. Nurses can claim their free guest pass to the gardens on a first-come, first-served basis by visiting the Eventbrite link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ansg-healers-in-the-gardens-2020-2021-tickets-123085525119 .

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a non-profit foundation established in 1977 by resident sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). An urban sanctuary of almost two acres, the compound comprises Norton’s historic house with exhibition galleries, her studio, monumental sculptures and tropical gardens of rare palms and cycads.

Located at 253 Barcelona Road in the historic El Cid neighborhood of West Palm Beach, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is open Wednesday through Sunday (starting October 1 – outdoors only), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Normal admission has been discounted while the Norton House and Artist Studio are under renovations: free for members and children under five, $12 for non-member adults, $8 for seniors (age 65 and older) and $5 for students and children five years of age and older. Special event pricing will vary. Garden Tours and Talks are available at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. The Gardens are also available for private events and are closed on major holidays. For more information, please visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328.

Katrina Blackmon gives to her neighbors with the extra she has

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 12:44:35 GMT

Katrina Blackmon was initially drawn to Palm Health Foundation by the people who make up the Healthier Neighbors community. Healthier Neighbors is part of Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Together initiative , and has been addressing the behavioral health needs of the Northern West Palm Beach/Riviera Beach community since 2018.

“The foundation has a different feel than other organizations,” said Katrina. “Staff are so genuine and truly want to hear from residents. I was surprised to see the deep personal and financial investment that Palm Health Foundation makes in the community with Healthier Together.”

When Katrina read some of the COVID-19 stories that the foundation collected using Sensemaker , she was inspired to give to The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund. “I’m a giver,” said Katrina. “If I can do something for someone, I will. These are our neighbors, so if I have a little extra, I’m going to share what I have.”

Katrina doesn’t feel that her donation is large, but she knows that it will bring relief in this pandemic, whether it be a meal or a toiletries package. “I want my neighbors to know that they are loved and thought about by someone,” she said.

Palm Health Foundation is honored to work alongside donors like Katrina, who are truly invested in our community and believe in the power of love and kindness. Katrina’s advice to those considering a philanthropic relationship with Palm Health Foundation is, “Do unto others as you want done unto you. It wouldn’t take much for most of us to be in a situation of need. Let’s all do our part. Our neighbors are our responsibility, and we should take care of each other.”

Let’s take care of each other. If you are interested in making a donation to The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund or establishing your own fund, contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship & Strategic Partnerships. CarrieB@phfpbc.org , 561-837-2281

Palm Health Foundation’s 2020 Grant Recipients Created Powerful Partnerships and Connections During COVID-19

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 18:47:54 GMT

Palm Health Foundation’s $2.3 million investment served as catalyst to bring organizations and residents together during a time of deep need, isolation and apprehension.

West Palm Beach, FL– Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, invested $2,316,345 in innovative solutions to complex health challenges during 2020, including significant funding toward COVID-19 relief. The foundation quickly turned its grantmaking efforts toward COVID-19 as soon as the pandemic struck in March 2020, investing in communities with the greatest disparities and coronavirus-related health concerns throughout the past year. The foundation’s unique Healthier Together initiative—a grantmaking strategy that puts power and funds in the hands of residents to solve community challenges—became the platform for rapid deployment of resources and funds in vulnerable communities and inspired organizations across the county to form new alliances during the crisis.

As one example, the EJS Project , a grassroots youth nonprofit founded by Delray Beach resident Emanuel "Dupree" Jackson, Jr., received monies from Palm Health Foundation’s new COVID-relief Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund to take immediate action in helping families who shared a story of crisis through PHFshares.org, an initiative that has collected over 1,200 stories from residents affected by the pandemic. EJS Project youth reviewed submissions and decided how to help those in deep need, including a husband and father who lost his job while his wife battled stage 4 ovarian and colon cancers. The youth stepped in with emergency assistance to help pay his mortgage and delivered PPE to the family. The EJS Project’s efforts were the catalyst for the “Rapid Response Team,” an expanded coalition for responding to residents with an immediate crisis that joins together the EJS Project, Healthier Together communities, BeWellPBC , Community Partners of South Florida and the Palm Beach Atlantic Volunteer Nursing Corps . To-date, the team has reached 240 people with challenges ranging from COVID-related homelessness to mental health supports and hunger.

"So much of EJS Project’s programming is around equity and putting our youth in positions to be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Jackson. “A big piece of that is giving them the right tools to learn and navigate the world they see. The funding from Palm Health Foundation gave our children the opportunity to help with the relief-planning process and carry it out directly to residents in need.”

Ricky Petty, project director of Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Boynton Beach initiative, was also a conduit for helping residents in need during COVID-19 thanks to a grant from the foundation. Petty recognized the “Heart of Boynton” neighborhood in ZIP code 33435 was a hot spot for COVID-19 cases but did not have a testing site for residents. He brought together a partnership with Boynton Beach nonprofit organizations, Genesis Community Health and Pathways to Prosperity , to apply for funding from the foundation for a drive-through and walk-up testing site three days a week at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Over 1,500 people in the community were tested during a six-week period, and the partners took great care to educate the community about the virus and the importance of testing through creating educational materials in English and Creole as part of the funding they received—an important component as misinformation caused some residents to be wary about COVID-19 testing.

“Residents were more likely to participate once they saw that the information was coming from Healthier Boynton Beach,” said Petty. “They trust us and know we are sensitive to the community, which enables us to be a liaison for bringing together partners to do a wonderful thing for our neighborhoods with the support of Palm Health Foundation.”

Corinne Danielson, executive director of the non-profit Sari Center for integrative cancer care, is also grateful to Palm Health Foundation for continuing to provide support for the patients her team serves. The Sari Center was forced to close its two locations in Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach due to COVID, but as Danielson says, “Our patients’ cancer didn’t stop.” In fact, their needs for Sari Center’s navigation and counseling services increased as COVID-19 forced cancer patients to face biopsies, chemo and surgeries alone, with no loved ones allowed by their sides. Palm Health Foundation funded a part-time patient coordinator, enabling Sari Center’s navigation team to increase the touchpoints they have with patients in those first critical weeks following a diagnosis, when the isolating effects of COVID-19 are felt most deeply. Sari Center navigators listen to a patient’s needs and create a tailored plan at no cost, ensuring he or she has access and support for clinical care, counseling, and integrative therapies to improve symptoms and side-effects. Multiple follow-ups via phone or video have helped cancer patients feel cared for and connected.

“Navigation is such a key piece of a patient’s care,” said Danielson. “The isolation and loneliness can be overwhelming, especially with COVID. The funding Palm Health Foundation provided allows our team to spend more time listening and helping our patients get the support they need for better outcomes and quality of life.”

Reflecting on a year of unprecedented need, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO Patrick McNamara is grateful for all the people who have come together to care for Palm Beach County. “We’re able to create impact that touches people’s lives in significant ways because of relationships,” said McNamara. “Relationships with donors who trust us to make a significant difference in the health of our community. Relationships that inspire nonprofits to collaborate and do more together than they could alone. And relationships with our resident leaders, who know better than anyone how our funding can lift up communities and become more resilient because they are able to create solutions themselves.”

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Frances Fisher and the Merrell Family Foundation Establish Mental and Behavioral Health Professions Scholarship Funds at Palm Health Foundation

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 14:08:55 GMT

Donors and foundation seek increased access to mental and behavioral health services in Palm Beach County

West Palm Beach, Fla .– Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, announced the establishment of two new donor scholarship funds to encourage individuals to enter and advance in the mental and behavioral health professions fields. The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund and John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund support Palm Health Foundation’s new initiative to advance brain health in Palm Beach County by providing needs-based financial support to those seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas.

According to Mental Health America’s 2021 report, “The State of Mental Health In America,” Florida ranks 48th in the nation for access to mental health care, which includes measures such as access to treatment and workforce availability. The National Alliance on Mental Illness approximates that 70% of the people who need mental-health treatment in Florida can’t get it.

Studies have shown that mental and behavioral health professional shortages impact suicide deaths. In Palm Beach County, as in all of Florida, suicide rates are higher than homicides, according to a 2019 report from the Florida Behavioral Health Association —a statistic on the rise due to COVID-19. Saving lives from suicide is especially meaningful to Jill Merrell of West Palm Beach, FL, who lost her husband John to mental illness. She and her family are channeling their grief into purpose through the establishment of the John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation.

“Our hope is to fund students who will become leaders in their fields, serve our community and society, and advance new technologies and innovations in the prevention and treatment of mental illness,” said Merrell. “We are confident Palm Health Foundation will steward our fund to honor John’s memory and work toward goals that are deeply personal to our family.”

Frances Fisher of Palm Beach, FL, sees advancing education in mental/behavioral health fields as an imperative of the Brain Health Innovation Fund at Palm Health Foundation where she serves as a trustee. “I am proud to support the creation of a new and needed resource to build our community’s mental and behavioral health workforce,” said Fisher. “My hope is to inspire students to embark or advance on a career, especially students of color as there is a deep need for more diversity in the field.”

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation is grateful to Fisher and Merrell for becoming the first to create funds for the new scholarships. “We are thankful to Frances and Jill for the opportunity to help them realize their philanthropic goals and bring equity to those most affected by a shortage of healthcare professionals— people of color, the elderly, and low income residents,” said McNamara. “We welcome more donors to help us do the same.” Individuals seeking to impact health in Palm Beach County through philanthropy may contact Carrie Browne, director of stewardship and strategic partnerships at carrieb@phfpbc.org or 561-837-2281.

Individuals wishing to apply for mental and behavioral health scholarships may visit the George Snow Scholarship Fund website at www.scholarship.org . Applicants must be residents of Palm Beach, Broward or Martin County, Florida, and apply by the February 1, 2021 deadline. Needs-based nursing scholarships are also available to nurses in undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs to aid in building a highly skilled healthcare workforce. For more information, please contact Leslie Cornwell at lcornwell@scholarship.org , 561-347-6799, or Channon Ellwood at cellwood@scholarship.org , 561-347-6799 at the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

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 $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Awards Grant to Susan G. Komen in Florida to Fund Community Breast Health Navigator in the Glades

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 21:14:55 GMT

Position critical to saving lives of African American and Hispanic women at highest risk of breast cancer.

West Palm Beach, Fla.– Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, has provided a grant to Susan G. Komen from its Helen and Harold Bernstein Endowment Fund and Frank & Jennie M. Palen Cancer Support Fund to support a community breast health navigator position in the Glades. The foundation joins with the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties to underwrite the position focused on patient advocacy and equity through community education and by working one-on-one with women in areas of highest need to ensure they have access to timely cancer screenings, diagnoses, treatment and supportive care for breast health.

Komen’s breast health navigation program in the Glades launched in fall 2019 and since that time has reached over 1,000 people through community outreach, education sessions and navigation of individual clients. The need for the program is high given the demographic profile of the Glades communities. In the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay, Black/African American populations are the majority and Hispanic/Latino residents are 25% or more. Considering African American women in the U.S. die from breast cancer approximately 40% more than Caucasian women, and breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for all Hispanic women in the U.S., the navigator’s life-saving potential is significant.

The impact of the program and the ability to provide more equitable health care is what attracted Palm Health Foundation to the funding opportunity. “Across Palm Beach County, we see many communities where barriers such as language, personal finances and other factors prevent residents from accessing the care they need to live healthy lives,” said Patrick McNamara president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “When we see a program like Komen’s, that ties so many pieces of our community health resources together for the wellbeing of disadvantaged residents, we and our donors want to help make it successful.”

Client success stories demonstrate how the program is creating a continuum of care. While undergoing a mammogram and ultrasound at Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade, FL, doctors found that “Rosa” had breast cancer. Komen’s navigator was there to translate the news and need for immediate care. Rosa did not have any insurance, but with the navigator’s assistance, Komen funded her mammogram and diagnostic ultrasound and the navigator accompanied Rosa to apply for financial assistance with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County to cover her treatment. The navigator continued to assist Rosa and her family during her cancer journey, accessing funding for other needs through the Komen Treatment Assistance Program and making connections to additional local resources.

“Our community breast health navigators are working to bring the entire care continuum together for patients so everyone has an advocate by her side during the breast cancer journey,” said Sean Gross, state executive director, Florida for Susan G. Komen. “Building relationships with patients and their families, monitoring their care and connecting them to local resources is part of our 360-degree approach to fighting this disease head on.”

The breast health navigation program is open to all. Those needing help are encouraged to visit www.komen.org for more information and to get connected with a navigator.

For more information about working with Palm Health Foundation to guide your philanthropic giving, please contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship and Strategic Partnerships at carrieb@phfpbc.org or 561-837-2281.

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Susan G. Komen Florida

Susan G. Komen® is the world’s leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Born out of a promise between two sisters, Susan G. Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures.

About Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is one of Florida’s largest community foundations. The nonprofit organization manages nearly $200 million in assets as it approaches its 50-year anniversary. At its core, the Community Foundation is an organization created with gifts from generous people committed to local causes. For donors, the Foundation serves as a philanthropic advisor. For the community, the Foundation serves as a grantmaker and a civic leader. Through the support of its donors and fundholders, the Foundation has addressed some of the community’s most pressing needs, including hunger, housing and education.

Train the Brain 2020: Parenting Can Feel Impossible Right Now

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 13:56:38 GMT

Parenting is a tough job – throw in all that 2020 has offered, and it can feel nearly impossible. During Train the Brain, we've discussed coping strategies for the fear and anxiety that many of us feel this year. Many parents are managing these emotions while also tending to the worries and fears of their children, which can be overwhelming.

So, how can parents/guardians help themselves and their kids cope? Here are some ideas:

Acknowledge their struggles in front of their kids. This is difficult and might feel uncomfortable, but by sharing the way they are feeling, parents are modeling healthy behavior. Children are perceptive and can already tell when something is wrong, so teach them that it’s okay to talk about it!

Use age-appropriate words when talking about mental health. Depending on the age of the child, words like “anxiety” and “depression” might be hard to understand. For younger kids, “sad” and “scared” might be better choices.

Practice Self-Care. Parents often think that they need to put their kids before themselves, always. But, it’s really hard to be unwell and fully present for a child. Parents: It’s not selfish to take care of yourself first. Call a friend, take a long bath, take time off work, listen to music or talk to a therapist. Your children are always watching, so model the self-care behaviors that you want them to mimic throughout their lives.

Train the Brain 2020: Work-Life Integration

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 13:50:29 GMT

80% of American workers report feeling stressed on the job, and almost half of them want to learn how to manage it. And, that was before the start of the pandemic, which complicated many work environments. So, how can we prevent work stress rather than react to its adverse effects? Resilience is key.

Work-life balance is even more challenging now, so we have to build resilience by learning how to integrate work and life to remain productive and healthy. Here are some ways you can do that:

Time Yourself – Give yourself a time limit per task. This will help you understand how long it takes you to complete certain things, so you can create an efficient daily schedule.
Use GPS – GPS stands for “Goal, Purpose, Scope.” When tackling a project, start with envisioning what the work will look like when it’s completed. Next, identify the purpose of the project and visually outline all the steps it will take to complete.
Try Time Theming – “Time Theming” is a technique that allows you to focus days, weeks or months toward one specific goal, which helps you avoid becoming overwhelmed while trying to decide which tasks to complete. For example, you can theme a certain day of the week, “e-mail Wednesday,” label it as such on your calendar, and reserve that time to address old emails. You can use this technique socially as well – select a “friends day” and a “family day” to hold yourself accountable to staying connected!
Create a New Email Strategy – You get an email notification, and all of the sudden you are taken off task and distracted. You have to decide whether to respond immediately or add the email to your to-do list, and by the time you get back to your original task, you have to take a moment to remember where you left off. Click here for tips to help you organize your emails as you receive them, so you can stay on task.
Leave Yourself a Note – When you are inevitably distracted or pulled away from your work during the day, write a brief note on where you left off on a task. When you return to your project, you won’t waste any time trying to remember where to pick back up again.

Source: Forbes, “How to Dramatically Improve Work-Life Balance”

Camden Switzer Reflects on Her Summer Internship with PHF

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 20:24:42 GMT

I am currently a junior at Brown University, double-concentrating in public health and business economics. When searching for an internship, I knew I wanted to be exposed to an organization that was dynamic in their community, had a strong public health focus and was determined to provide equal opportunities and levels of health to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. When I first found Palm Health Foundation’s website, I was immediately attracted to the organization’s commitment to bettering health at the local level, specifically engaging communities and individuals who were most in need. This is demonstrated through their community health campaigns, Let’s Move and Train the Brain , and their collaborative grantmaking.

My first assignment at Palm Health Foundation was to work with the software Sensemaker to finalize a project that was in progress before my arrival. Previously unaware of the software, I learned that it allows for the collection of personal stories and anecdotes in traditional structures, such as written answers, and untraditional structures, such as pinning feelings within triad and dyad graphs. This unconventional form of data collection allows for qualitative and quantitative research using a coding mechanism that would not be accessible through one-dimensional data collection.

After learning how to manipulate the software from Andy McAusland, Director of Grants & Evaluation, I was able to assist on a new project that focused on collecting local data about the current COVID-19 pandemic. Andy, the other interns, foundation staff and I worked for two weeks drafting the prompts that I would later enter into the Sensemaker software. The Sensemaker survey was immediately released to the public after its completion. Although I was extremely grateful to Andy for teaching and trusting me with software I had never worked with before, my biggest takeaway from the project was the constant reflection of whether our language, wording and questions were reflective and inclusive to the community we were serving.

At every project meeting, foundation staff stopped to consider how our actions and words would be received and impact the community we were hoping to serve. Reflecting and taking into account the communities that the organization serves was a common theme throughout my time interning for Palm Health Foundation. Instead of acting as “saviors,” the organization continually worked with individuals of the community, listening and learning from their lived experiences.

In addition to my work with the Sensemaker projects, I also collaborated with members of Healthier Boynton Beach and another intern on a mini-grant project in which local members of the Boynton area submitted grant applications. These grants were specific to family caregiving, a public health field that I had a lot of interest in before coming to Palm Health Foundation. The grant process was completed by the end of my internship, allowing me to celebrate the winning applicants. I also worked with Healthier Jupiter on a pedestrian safety program where I was able to utilize and expand my knowledge regarding behavioral health. My final task while at Palm Health Foundation was to organize the fiscal year’s grants and create boilerplates from the compiled data.

Throughout my time interning for Palm Health Foundation, I partook in many meetings with staff, community members and foundation partners. I am so thankful to have been part of these meetings and able to interact with individuals who were welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly. It always amazed me how every member of the foundation was more than willing to take the time out of their busy days to speak to the interns and invite us to work on projects within their respective departments.

Out of the numerous meetings I had while interning, one specifically stood out to me as being an example of the principles the organization is founded upon and continues to practice. The interns were invited to participate in a meeting with the foundation’s board of trustees. After the normal procedures of the meeting, the trustees engaged in a conversation about the importance of racial inclusivity and equity among themselves as well as throughout the organization. I thought it was particularly interesting that many of the trustees admitted to not fully acknowledging and understanding the subject. However, the board, unlike many others, did not stop at recognizing the issue but rather offered each other resources and workshops where they could actively expand their knowledge and behavior toward the subject. This meeting not only demonstrates the organization’s priority for racial equality as a response to the current social climate, but also exhibits that the staff is willing to continually learn and adapt for the betterment of the organization and the communities in which they serve. This process of continual development and recognition of inequalities throughout the socioeconomic sphere was discussed and acted upon throughout my time interning; for example, recognizing the lack of racial diversity and making an action plan for future hires, creating a list of racially diverse vendors the company can use and continually offering inclusivity trainings to staff members.

Overall, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work at Palm Heath Foundation this past summer. While working for the organization, it was clear that every single staff member was passionate about their current work and excited about future projects. The group staff meetings were always a fun way to start the Monday, with lots of banter and a family-like dynamic where we had check-ins, shout outs, updates and mindful moments. I want to specifically thank the intern supervisor, Andy, for all of the hard work he dedicated to me and the other interns. He was continually coming up with new projects for us and always took time out of his very busy day to check-in with us. I am honored to say I worked for Palm Health Foundation and will continue to utilize both the knowledge and life lessons I learned while interning at the organization.

Palm Health Foundation Opens Scholarship Application for Nursing and Mental/Behavioral Health Professions

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 13:13:24 GMT

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, will open applications for nursing and mental/behavioral health scholarships on November 1, 2020. The scholarships are administered by the George Snow Scholarship Fund and encourage individuals with financial need to enter and advance in the nursing and mental/behavioral health professions. Applicants must be residents of Palm Beach, Broward or Martin County, Florida, and apply by the February 1, 2021 deadline. The application, eligibility criteria and instructions are available on the George Snow Scholarship Fund website at www.scholarship.org .

Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001 due to the generosity of donors and the foundation’s commitment to nursing advancement in Palm Beach County. Needs-based scholarships are provided to nurses in undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs to aid in building a highly skilled workforce.

New this year is the expansion of scholarship funding to individuals seeking to enter the mental/behavioral health professions. According to Mental Health America’s 2021 report, “The State of Mental Health In America,” Florida ranks 48th in the nation for access to mental health care, which includes measures such as access to treatment and workforce availability. The new scholarships are aligned with the goals of Palm Health Foundation’s Brain Health Innovation Fund to advance brain health in Palm Beach County and provide financial support to those seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas.

“Advancing health in South Florida relies on the advancement of our workforce,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “We want to make it possible for talented, compassionate and dedicated health professionals to realize their dreams and provide greater access to care to our community.”

For more information about Palm Health Foundation scholarships, please contact Leslie Cornwell at lcornwell@scholarship.org , 561-347-6799, or Channon Ellwood at cellwood@scholarship.org , 561-347-6799 at the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Strengthens Philanthropic Development with New Board of Trustees Confirmations

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 17:46:20 GMT

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Barbara James, vice president and executive director of the Bethesda Hospital Foundation Baptist Health South Florida, and Stephen M. Zaloom, partner with the law firm of Jeck, Harris, Raynor & Jones, P.A., have been elected to the board of trustees at Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. James and Zaloom join a board of eighteen county leaders chaired by Denise Bober, senior vice president of human resources at The Breakers Palm Beach.

The foundation also announced trustee Frances Fisher’s election as the new chair of its philanthropy committee, where James and Zaloom will serve as well. Fisher joined the Palm Health Foundation board of trustees in 2019.

James, Zaloom and Fisher bring extraordinary philanthropic expertise to enhance resource development and fundraising in support of the foundation’s strategic priorities, including the advancement of brain health, strengthening health professions through scholarships, and supporting community based Healthier Together initiatives in six underserved communities in Palm Beach County.

James’s responsibilities at Bethesda Hospital Foundation to encourage philanthropy in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and leadership in healthcare are perfectly aligned with Palm Health Foundation’s mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration. In addition to her service to Palm Health Foundation, James is also a member of the Palm Beach County Medical Society Services Board of Directors, Impact the Palm Beaches, Impact 100, the International Women’s Forum Palm Beach, the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches.

Before becoming a trustee, Zaloom joined the foundation’s philanthropy committee in 2017. With his law practice focus on estate and trust planning, estate and trust administration, nonprofits and charitable planning, guardianship and business law, he continues to be an asset to the foundation’s planned giving efforts. His dedication to the field is demonstrated through his Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation and serving as past president of the Planned Giving Council of Palm Beach County. He also serves as secretary for the Basil J. and Marie-Therese Zaloom Foundation and is presently the vice president and programs chair for the Palm Beach County Estate Planning Council.

Fisher’s new role as chair of the philanthropy committee will bring added exposure to the impact donors can make by partnering with the foundation in its vision for all Palm Beach County residents to have opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential. She will also work with committee members to raise awareness of the wide range of giving options available through the foundation, including donor advised funds, scholarships and planned giving. Fisher is well-experienced in the growth and betterment of the Palm Beach community from her extensive nonprofit service, including: chairman of the board and founding chairman of the Gardens Conservancy at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens; vice president of the board of directors of Hearing Ovarian Cancer Whisper; trustee of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium; member of the board of directors at the Palm Beach Civic Association; and an advisory board member of The Most Vulnerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

“To have community leaders of such great caliber as Barbara, Stephen and Frances leading our board and philanthropic development is a testament to the confidence our community has placed in Palm Health Foundation to advance health in Palm Beach County,” said Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO. “Their knowledge and insight will help donors understand the impact they can make when partnering with a health foundation to create positive change in a community.

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

A Lasting Legacy

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 11:51:45 GMT

Palm Health Foundation honors Mrs. Paula Harris, who passed away in 2020 after a life of supporting Palm Beach County health. The B.J. and Paula Harris Fund has granted more than $1 million to support community health initiatives since 2004. These grants have supported healthcare organizations such as Caridad Center, MyClinic and Kramer Senior Services, as well as provided nursing scholarships to students at Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University, and others. Mrs. Harris made the lead gift of Palm Health Foundation’s Brain Health Campaign in 2018, launching our work to put Palm Beach County on the map as a leader in brain health advancement.

Through her fund, Mrs. Harris’ legacy of generosity will continue to serve Palm Beach County’s most vulnerable and under-resourced neighbors. The B.J. and Paula Harris Fund will continue to care for the community exactly how Mrs. Harris would herself.

“Palm Health Foundation is honored to steward the contributions of our fund

holders and ensure that their legacy and impact on our community never fades.”

– David Wisehaupt, Chair, Finance/Investment Committee,

Palm Health Foundation

Through powerful, effective and rewarding philanthropy, you too can create a lasting legacy for your community’s health. Palm Health Foundation is ready to serve as your philanthropic partner. Contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship & Strategic Partnerships to explore the many ways to maximize your philanthropic giving through thoughtful gift planning.

CarrieB@phfpbc.org , 561-837-2281

Palm Health Foundation and Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens Join Together to Show Appreciation for Nurses Through Healers in the Gardens Program

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 13:23:26 GMT

Free admittance for 500 nurses to the Gardens from October 2020 to June 2021 recognizes their important contributions during COVID-19 and beyond while providing mental health benefits.

West Palm Beach, FL –Recognizing the growing demands and complexities nurses are facing, Palm Health Foundation and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) are joining together to offer a free day of art and nature to healthcare heroes through Healers in the Gardens. The program is funded by a grant from Palm Health Foundation and will offer 500 Palm Beach County nurses and their guests complimentary admittance to ANSG to acknowledge the community’s gratitude and respect for their devotion to patient care. The program begins on October 1, 2020 as part of Palm Health Foundation’s Train the Brain: Resiliency and Self-Care in the Face of Adversity campaign . The Healers in the Gardens program runs through June 30, 2021, or until guest passes run out.

Frances Fisher, chairwoman of Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and a Palm Health Foundation trustee, saw how bringing the two organizations together could benefit nurses’ mental health while recognizing the important contributions they devote to patient care. “Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens believes that those who create an environment of compassion deserve heartfelt appreciation for the crucial difference they make in the lives they touch,” she said. “From my service with Palm Health Foundation and understanding their dedication to nurses as well as behavioral health, I know that nurses are having an especially profound effect on patients, but also need to take time for self-care.”

Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO, sees the partnership as a meaningful extension of the foundation’s long history of recognizing the contributions of nurses and its dedication to growing and strengthening the nursing workforce in Palm Beach County. “We are grateful to Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens for bringing us this unique opportunity to offer nurses a day of peace and respite in beautiful surroundings as appreciation for their selfless and courageous service,” said McNamara. “We need to take care of our nurses so that they can continue taking care of us.”

Nurses can claim their free guest pass to the gardens on a first-come, first-served basis by visiting the Eventbrite link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ansg-healers-in-the-gardens-2020-2021-tickets-123085525119 .

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

Intern Feature: Gabbie Acot

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 20:30:18 GMT

I was led to my summer internship at Palm Health Foundation (PHF) by a Princeton alum, who is on PHF’s board of trustees. During my internship, I was interested in learning about the public health issues people were facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, like food and housing insecurity. I was able to achieve this in my work with Andy McAusland, director of grants and evaluation at PHF.

At the beginning of the summer, I had three goals for my internship:

To learn about how healthcare non-profits work
To learn about statistical analysis and visualization, especially in relation to non-profit evaluation
To learn about the public health issues prevalent due to the pandemic.

In the end, I achieved my goals, and much more, thanks to the support of PHF staff. I participated in introductory meetings with the staff, where they explained their roles within the organization and their paths to PHF. These meetings taught me about the many diverse, integral roles that form a nonprofit foundation, from Chrissie managing millions of dollars in accounting to Vanessa helping craft a poignant letter on racial injustice after the death of George Floyd. By the end of my internship, I understood how all of these roles connected to each other to form PHF.

When I wasn’t participating in meetings, my work day mainly involved organizing and visualizing data from the COVID-19 Sensemaker project , using coding, to be displayed on www.PHFShares.org . I had very little experience with this type of coding beforehand, so I was excited to learn. I failed many times, but with PHF’s guidance and a lot of Google searches, I was able to write code for two new Sensemaker projects and develop new choropleth visualizations by the end of the summer. Mini-lectures from Andy enabled me to learn that by graphically seeing Sensemaker data, community members are able to engage with their own raw data and analyze all of the nuances without any data fitting or summarization.

When I first learned this, I didn’t understand the point— Who needs all that data? However, through another one of Andy’s mini-lectures, I learned about Black Swan theory, which basically states that though catastrophic events (like the COVID-19 pandemic) are rare, they are worth preparing for because they have such large effects. We can scale this down to the people who submitted to the COVID-19 Sensemaker project. Some ‘rare’ submissions describing debilitating situations, like a pregnant teen without access to baby items, could be helped and were helped by public health intervention due to community members engaging with Sensemaker data.

I got to learn more about public health issues through doing a literature review on how green spaces affect health for Lake Worth Beach, one of Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Together communities. It was interesting to learn about how the creation of a park could improve both the physical and mental health of community members. Creating the proposal for the Lake Worth Beach Sensemaker survey was a challenge, but I found that it brought my internship together so that I worked with Sensemaker from almost all sides.

Overall, my internship with PHF was irreplaceable and I am so grateful for having the chance to learn about public health, non-profits, and data analysis and visualization all in one summer.

Thank you to the Palm Health Foundation staff for being so welcoming and fostering my interests. Also, thank you to the Princeton University COVID-19 Response Grant for funding my project.

MorseLife Health System and Palm Health Foundation Address Growing Need For Trained Health Care Professionals

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 13:28:38 GMT

Two of Palm Beach County’s most respected health care institutions have joined forces once again to address the growing need for trained health care professionals as the County’s over-60 population is projected to increase 39% by 2040.

MorseLife has received a generous grant, which will allow interested home health aides to advance in their careers to achieve licensure as certified nursing assistants, made possible by the BJ and Paula Harris Fund at the Palm Health Foundation. Mrs. Harris resided at The Palace at MorseLife before her recent death and her late husband, BJ also received exceptional care while living at MorseLife. They were active supporters of health care initiatives in Palm Beach County, granting more than $1 million from their fund since 2004.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow nine percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Florida employs more nursing assistants than any state other than New York.

“The current pandemic has underscored the shortage of nursing assistants in our area which will only become more urgent as our population ages,” said Keith Myers, President and CEO of MorseLife Health System. “We have a waiting list of aides eager to take advantage of this worthwhile program and are pleased to be working with leadership of Palm Health Foundation.”

The grant will cover the cost of the professional development course and the exam fee, which currently total $650 per student.

“With the support of our donors, Palm Health Foundation provides scholarships for nursing and other health-related fields, with the mission of creating high-quality care for years to come,” said Abigail Goodwin, Vice President for Grants and Community Investments at Palm Health Foundation. “This gift helps us fulfill the vision of the BJ and Paula Harris Fund.

MorseLife Health System is also planning to establish the MorseLife Nursing Academy to offer professional development to home health aides, certified nursing assistants and registered nurses. Participants in the academy will attend on scholarships.

About MorseLife Health System

MorseLife serves more than 3,600 seniors every day on its campus in West Palm Beach and through its community outreach programs. Founded in 1983, MorseLife is a provider of health care and residential services for seniors in Palm Beach County. A charitable, not-for-profit organization, its programs also include short term rehabilitation, long term care, independent and assisted living, memory care assisted living, hospice and palliative care, home health care, care management, meals-on-wheels and PACE. Since its beginnings, MorseLife has built a reputation and tradition of caring for seniors with excellence, dignity and compassion. For more information, visit www.morselife.org .

About Palm Health Foundation

Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s leading 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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Marking Five Years of Community-Led Health Equity Solutions: Palm Health Foundation Reveals Impact of Healthier Together Initiative

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 20:37:25 GMT

Resident-led movements in six Palm Beach County communities lay the foundation for unifying residents during 2020’s racial justice and pandemic challenges.

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Palm Health Foundation is marking the five-year anniversary of its first Healthier Together communities with an expansive look-back at the initiative’s achievements and extensive learning since 2015. A new website, HealthierTogetherPBC.org , and a comprehensive paper, A Shared Purpose, Transforming Communities Through the Social Determinants of Health, provide the public with an inside look at how the foundation became the county’s most advanced organization for focusing on community-led health equity solutions where residents with the greatest disparities are part of the process.

The catalyst for embarking on Healthier Together was the growing evidence that a person’s ZIP Code could influence his health outcomes more than his genetic code. The social determinants of health—health-related behaviors, socioeconomic factors and environmental factors that are estimated to account for 80-90 percent to healthy outcomes for a population—became the focus. For Palm Health Foundation, it represented a departure from short-term funding in systems to long-term investing in communities and a shift from healthcare to health. Putting resident leaders in positions of power to guide the solutions voiced by the community also gave the foundation deep insight into creating greater health equity.

“The best way to explain Healthier Together is that it puts residents at the core of developing health solutions around their own needs rather than force-fitting a system that doesn’t always recognize the complexity, culture, context and circumstances of diverse communities,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “When you start to see health issues through the eyes of the people who live in a vulnerable community, you realize the barriers and inequities that exist won’t be overcome through traditional clinical care systems.”

Palm Health Foundation’s funding commitment to-date includes a $1 million investment over five years in each of the six Healthier Together communities in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, the Glades, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach and northern West Palm Beach/Riviera Beach. Funding supports a project director, activities and local mini-grants/sponsorship investments. As each community developed a steering committee of local residents and narrowed its focus from one of the foundation’s three priority areas—behavioral health, diabetes and family caregiving—they learned how to advocate, develop community-wide networks and seek greater health equity that resulted in a wide variety of achievements and policy changes, including the following:

Racial Equity

Healthier Delray Beach incorporated a two-day training by the Racial Equity Institute (REI) into its community work, which was later adopted by all Healthier Together communities. Palm Health Foundation paid for close to 600 county residents to take the training and was instrumental in creating the Organizing Against Racism Palm Beach County Alliance, designed to generate opportunities to grow racial justice specifically for the county’s Black communities, and challenge institutionally-based racist practices in health systems and beyond. With the learning from REI, Healthier Together communities were able to host valuable community conversations following the murder of George Floyd, bringing their residents together in a time of need.

Healthier Neighbors, recognized for its ability to lead change, is facilitating and helping to implement the health component of The Mayor’s Village Initiative, a City of West Palm Beach effort to prevent and reduce youth violence and improve outcomes for young African American males 25 years old and younger living in three neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by violence, crime, and social/ economic disadvantage

COVID-19 Response

Palm Health Foundation deployed its “SenseMaker Story Collection Project” through Healthier Together communities, amassing over 700 stories about how COVID-19 has impacted the lives of Palm Beach County residents. Stories aid in providing relief to those with urgent needs through the foundation’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund and are used as a data collection tool for current and future community health planning. The story collection inspired the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum to create a virtual gallery exhibit sharing the community’s collective COVID-19 experience.

Healthier Boynton Beach’s mission, “to inspire, support and improve the lives of caregivers in Boynton Beach,” was put to the test during COVID-19. The supportive networks developed among family caregivers and resources were stretched, but they quickly pivoted to create a new online community to promote social connectedness. Offline, they linked the caregivers with resources and support for themselves and their loved ones at home.

Social Determinants of Health

Healthier Lake Worth Beach residents, tired of the poor condition of their neighborhoods in the south end, defined its behavioral health mission as: “To improve the cleanliness, environment and safety of Lake Worth Beach neighborhoods and promote healthy behaviors that impact the overall health and well-being of our residents.” It became a mission that influenced policies and funding, including the city’s first-ever Adopt-A-Street program, neighborhood crime watches and a $1.3 million grant from the Department of Justice to reduce violent crime.

Resident-Led Change

Healthier Jupiter introduced “mini-grants”—small grants of up to $2,500 to fund ideas from residents and small nonprofits for supporting healthy eating, physical activity and access to care. Residents were invited to vote on the winners—at times reaching up to 400 attendees—making it a completely nontraditional and truly resident-led grant-funding process. One example is Palm Beach Harvest, a food rescue organization, that received funding for a community garden to help feed children at a pre-school that served a minority population.

Behavioral Health

Healthier Delray Beach introduced the national program Mental Health First Aid throughout the city, influencing the Delray Beach Police Department to institutionalize the training for all officers. The training was a catalyst for the next step the department took—hiring their first full-time licensed behavioral health professional. The chief of police retains a close connection to Healthier Delray Beach as a steering committee member.

Healthier Glades focuses on behavioral health for residents to thrive physically, emotionally and spiritually. The initiative paved the way for launching Open Table, a national model that brings together faith organizations, government, business, healthcare, non-profit and other sectors to help individuals and families experiencing poverty.

“The most rewarding part of Healthier Together is seeing resident leaders thrive as they create community networks and a culture for health that respects the needs of their neighbors,” said McNamara. “The work isn’t easy, and it’s often complex, but we have created an environment where community members can try new, nontraditional approaches in a ‘safe-to-fail’ environment to narrow health disparities. We’re taking risks together to create a movement for better health and greater equity by listening to residents. They know better than anyone how to create change that lasts.”

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

“Rapid Response Team” is Rekindling Spirit of Neighbors Helping Neighbors During Pandemic

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 20:45:44 GMT

Reunites Nurse and Homeless Woman She Helped in the Past

The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation was created at a time of crisis to assist Palm Beach County residents during the 2020 pandemic with emergency assistance for rent, food and medical needs, but its roots lay in the belief that we are all our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. That is the spirit that guides the “Rapid Response Team”—a new coalition comprised of Palm Health Foundation, BeWellPBC , youth leaders at the EJS Project and the Palm Beach Atlantic Volunteer Nursing Corps —a group that reviews the stories that come to them through a community survey of residents trying to cope with the medical and economic repercussions of COVID-19, and then takes immediate action to provide financial assistance through the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund, services and referrals.

Through the Rapid Response Team, Dr. Fontaine Timmer, director of the Palm Beach Atlantic Volunteer Nursing Corps, had a second chance to give a hand up to a formerly homeless mother she had first encountered in 2018. To Anne, Dr. Fontaine is her “angel,” someone she “wants to make proud.” Dr. Fontaine found Anne when she was living in her car with her children behind a Palm Beach County church just before Christmas in 2018. Never seeing the reality of a homeless mother before, Dr. Fontaine said, “It changed my life.” She became Anne's support system, finding a hotel room for her and her children to spend Christmas, connecting her to a family homeless shelter and becoming her cheerleader and inspiration as Anne sought and received a certification to become an assisted living administrator and start school to become an licensed practical nurse.

When COVID-19 caused Anne to lose her income, she was in danger of not meeting her rent and didn’t have money to pay for the essentials for herself and her six children, now reunited and living together after being separated while homeless. Anne turned to Dr. Fontaine once again, but this time a group of angels from the Rapid Response Team gave her the hand up she needed, with the EJS Project designating Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund monies for rent and a $500 gift card for necessities. Anne is finding ways to make income again while continuing her studies to better her children and to show Dr. Fontaine and her team of angels that, “the money you invested in me wasn’t in vain.”

Palm Health Foundation Answers the Call to Reduce Florida’s Nursing Shortage by Awarding Scholarships

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 13:33:43 GMT

COVID-19 reveals bleak reality of nursing shortage as health care systems are stretched to the limit.

West Palm Beach, Fla. –As COVID-19 reveals Florida’s stark nursing shortage, and healthcare systems throughout the state struggle to meet the need for care, Palm Health Foundation is providing scholarships to 41 nurses in Palm Beach County to help increase and advance professionals in the field. The foundation has awarded $440,000 in needs-based scholarships to nurses in undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs to aid in building a highly skilled workforce. Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001.

Earlier this year, the Florida Center for Nursing reported, “Baseline forecasts show that Florida will face a shortage of registered nurses by 2025 that is capable of crippling our healthcare system and reducing access to care for Floridians.” Also cited as factors affecting the shortage are Florida’s baby boomers reaching retirement age and requiring more care and more than 40% of Florida’s nurses approaching retirement age within the next ten years without enough younger nurses to replace them.

Palm Health Foundation partners with the George Snow Scholarship Fund to administer scholarships to nurses attending Palm Beach County colleges and universities, including Palm Beach Atlantic University, South University, Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College, Keiser University and NOVA University. Degrees range from associate to doctorate, with many seeking to become RNs and family nurse practitioners. Scholarship funding is provided through the foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund and donor advised funds including the Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund and the B.J. and Paula Harris Scholarship Fund .

“Thanks to our generous donors, we are able to award scholarships at a time when the need for nurses has never been more evident,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Nurses have put themselves on the front lines during COVID-19 and we are grateful to have so many commit to meeting the needs of our community today and in the future.”

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Leads Collaboration to Provide Relief to Boynton Beach Family in Crisis During COVID-19 Pandemic

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 21:22:49 GMT

As Palm Health Foundation and its partners continue to collect the personal stories of Palm Beach County residents during COVID-19, more community members in crisis are receiving the help they need through the new Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund. The fund was established by Palm Health Foundation during the pandemic to assist residents who are struggling to pay their rent, access food, receive medical treatment and have other urgent needs.

Leroy Merchant of Boynton Beach shared his story through the foundation’s website, phfshares.com , where it was reviewed by youth at the EJS Project in Delray Beach, a foundation partner for the initiative. Here is some of what Mr. Merchant shared:

“I am a husband whose wife (Fabiola) is currently battling a diagnosed of stage 4 ovarian and colon cancer and also raising two teenage boys. My mother suffered a stroke in June who also needs my help…Then in March, I became unemployed due to Covid19...being home has giving me an opportunity to take care of my wife but right now we are struggling due to me not working. The bills are coming but unfortunately, I've exhausted my checking and savings account... At this time I am the only person who is able to take care of my wife and mom in regards to all hospital and Dr. visits, she is currently getting treatments for chemo and that is weekly. During chemo she is extremely weak where I have to help her out of bed each morning, assist with her daily meals, help with hygiene, prep and feed her all her meals… I would love to work but unfortunately, my place of employment is close until further notice. Please help us as we are two hard-working people who is currently going through an extremely hard time.”

EJS Project youth spoke with Mr. Merchant and one of his teenage children to identify how they could best use Palm Health Foundation’s Neighbors Helping Fund to provide support to the family. They paid for the family’s mortgage for the month of July and their neighborhood association fees, which was vital given the payment was past due. The EJS team also immediately put together a care package that included the many essentials Mr. Merchant needed, including medical masks, gloves, toilet tissue, paper towels, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, and delivered it to Mr. Merchant.

The “rapid response team,” established by Palm Health Foundation and its partners to help residents get access to care during COVID-19, also took action to connect Mr. Merchant with local cancer support resources. The team connected him with the Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope for guidance and support in caring for his wife. Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper has also offered to provide financial assistance from their Jacquie Liggett Angel Fund.

Mr. Merchant’s story demonstrates how Palm Health Foundation is convening and collaborating with local partners to provide immediate assistance to Palm Beach County residents during COVID-19.

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund is Answering Prayers of Those with COVID-19

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 20:53:49 GMT

Janette “Garcia” of Lake Worth Beach never believed COVID-19 could happen to her. She never believed she would be so sick she couldn’t work and provide for her family. And she never believed she would have to consider living on the street.

But she did believe someone would answer her prayers for help. That someone was Andy McAusland, director of grants and evaluation at Palm Health Foundation. He called Janette in April with the news that the foundation’s new Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund would pay her rent through mid-July to keep her and her family safely in their home. McAusland learned of Janette’s story after she submitted it to the foundation’s SenseMaker COVID-19 story collection website that is tracking the impact of the pandemic on the lives of citizens.

A house cleaner by profession, Janette provides for her sister, 72-year-old diabetic mother and 12-year-old son. All were stricken with COVID-19, but Janette’s case was the worst, with effects that still linger months after receiving the results of her positive test on March 31. Janette lives in a largely Hispanic community located in western Lake Worth Beach that is the third highest hit by COVID-19 in the county.

“Everyone in my house was sick,” said Janette. “How would we pay our bills? I thought we would have to go live under a bridge. I prayed for someone to help me.”

The outpouring of need from Palm Beach County residents like Janette is why Palm Health Foundation decided to create the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund and ask others to join. The foundation has committed up to $200,000 to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for every contribution made to help residents who are struggling to pay their rent, access food, receive medical treatment and other urgent needs. Partner nonprofits in the foundation’s six Healthier Together communities distribute the funds to residents. In Janette’s case, Bridges at Lake Worth West is providing the funding for her rent and Community Partners of South Florida is supporting her and her mother with services.

While Janette is negative for COVID-19 and would like to go back to work, many of her clients are hesitant to have her come to their homes to clean. McAusland has continued to be an angel to her, sometimes leaving food at her door.

“Andy told me, ‘we are going to help you,’” said Janette. “I am so grateful to the foundation. We are able to sleep in our home. Otherwise, I don’t know where we could go. I never imagined this.”

Palm Health Foundation Leads Collaboration on CDC Funding to Create Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Training Focused on Overdose Prevention

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 18:35:13 GMT

Partnership brings together Alpert Jewish Family Service with Rebel Recovery Florida

to train former substance users to deliver Mental Health First Aid to peers

West Palm Beach, Fla. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a grant to a collaboration of Palm Beach County organizations to create a new peer-to-peer program for former substance users to aid in the mental health of people with substance use disorder. The CDC’s “Overdose Data to Action” grant provides $64,000 in funding for Alpert Jewish Family Service to train 16 Rebel Recovery Florida peer specialists to become instructors for Mental Health First Aid , a nationally renowned, evidence-based training course. Palm Health Foundation , known for bringing together community partners to develop innovative brain health solutions, led the effort to apply for and facilitate the CDC grant.

The CDC’s “Overdose Data to Action” initiative supports prevention efforts as part of its focus on the drug overdose epidemic. The unique Rebel Recovery/Mental Health First Aid model will result in 16 Rebel Recovery peer specialists trained and certified as Mental Health First Aid instructors with a specialized focus on recognizing and responding to the signs of mental health crises, including barriers to wellness often identified in people living with substance use disorder or those at risk for experiencing an overdose. Once certified, the peer specialists will be qualified to present an eight-hour training course to others to identify, understand and respond to barriers to sustained mental wellness which can often be co-occurring with substance use disorder. Initial plans are to offer the training within Rebel Recovery’s local networks.

“Former substance users are able to connect as peers with people suffering from addiction in a way few others can,” said Andy McAusland, Director of Grants & Evaluation at Palm Health Foundation. “We’re providing the peer specialists with life-saving skills to help someone in crisis and guide them to assistance before they overdose.”

The grant will allow Rebel Recovery to join a Mental Health First Aid Coalition that has been in existence in Palm Beach County for seven years, coordinated by AJFS, that has trained over 6,100 individuals and more than 89 instructors, in partnership with more than 16 local agencies and the school district. Rebel Recovery’s peer specialists, individuals with lived experience in recovery who provide recovery support services, will gain a valuable skill, as well as a $1,000 stipend for completing the three-day instructor training. Other partners in the collaborative assisting with the administration and data collection of the grant include the Florida Department of Health and the Health Council of Southeast Florida .

“Palm Health Foundation is deeply dedicated to brain health,” said McAusland. “Our previous efforts to expand Mental Health First Aid, stem the opioid epidemic and provide the annual “Train the Brain” community health campaigns have provided us with insight on how to bring partners together to create greater impact.”

The CDC funding is the second grant to support Palm Health Foundation’s role in expanding Mental Health First Aid in Palm Beach County. In 2019, the Florida Blue Foundation awarded a $238,218 four-year grant to the foundation, which partnered with AJFS to offer Mental Health First Aid instructor training in vulnerable communities, focusing on the uninsured or underinsured, through the foundation’s six Healthier Together communities in West Palm Beach/Riviera Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Belle Glade.

To give to the Mental Health First Aid Fund at Palm Health Foundation, please visit http://bit.ly/33LQJRO .

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Rebel Recovery Florida

Rebel Recovery is a low barrier recovery community organization that provides recovery support services, education, and advocacy to people impacted by drug use and those living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit rebelrecoveryfl.com .

About Alpert Jewish Family Service

The Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County, Inc. is a nationally-accredited and recognized leader providing services supporting seniors, adults, children and their families. Serving Palm Beach County since 1974, Alpert JFS is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization with a reputation for delivering high-quality, professional care to help members of the community during challenging times in their lives. Our services address the well-being of children and families, the independence and well-being of older adults, and the optimal quality of life for individuals with special needs. These services include psychiatry; counseling; case management and care coordination; guardianship; a companionship program; domestic abuse services; support groups; specialized services for Holocaust Survivors and premier residential programming for adults with special needs. For more information, visit www.alpertjfs.org .

To learn more about Mental Health First Aid or inquire about a training, contact Cindy Wides, Director of Community Outreach/Mental Health First Aid at Cindy.Wides@Alpertjfs.org or 561-238-0251.

A Letter from Healthier Together on Racial Injustice

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 13:29:36 GMT

Dear Friends, Neighbors, Colleagues and the Palm Beach County Community,

We’re writing to you as residents of Palm Beach County. As sons and daughters, mothers and fathers. As black and white neighbors in this community. We’re writing because we’re humans bearing witness to deep racial injustices and want to be part of real change.

Like so many millions of people across the United States and the world, we’re writing with heavy hearts, and complicated, wide-ranging emotions. Fear. Anger. Outrage. Despair. Hopelessness. Optimism. Hope.

We want to linger on hope, but hope isn’t enough. It has never been enough to adequately address the longstanding, deep-seated racism that has flourished in the United States over the last 4-5 centuries and still lives today.

Now is the time to show up for our black community. To lean in and listen. To create, nurture and hold spaces to wrestle with injustices that have consistently and historically targeted our black brothers and sisters.

As leaders in the Healthier Together initiative, which shares and builds power in communities of color, we’re standing together at this critical moment to build on awareness of racial injustice and generate action to make our community, and this nation, better.

In recent days, there are encouraging signs that momentum may be building to impact change. We’re encouraged by the direct conversations about racial inequities from across diverse sectors. We’re encouraged by the number of white people participating in peaceful protests and speaking out to generate solutions. We’re encouraged by the community’s genuine interest in creating a movement for just and equitable policies and practices that will lead to safety and dignity for all.

We will build on this momentum by continuing to educate ourselves. Unhindered by organizational and political interests and driven only by human-to-human connection, we will listen and learn, test our own biases and assumptions and push against the visible and invisible barriers that hold racist practices in place. We will have hard conversations with our family and friends and in our communities and work environments, places of worship and learning institutions.

We, like the other Palm Beach County-based initiatives engaged in race equity work, don’t have the answers and we can’t know where the solutions will come from. But we can create and hold the space for people to come together to talk, to listen, to learn, to feel, to be heard and to bear witness.

We also believe that when there is space to explore, solutions can and will emerge, calling for pathways for change.

To our black sisters and brothers: we see you, we hear you and we’re standing with you.

To our white sisters and brothers: don’t rest on encouragement and hope – lean in, get uncomfortable and do your part to disrupt the racial injustices plaguing our country. Now is the time.

Sincerely,

Jeanette Marshall, Healthier Neighbors

Ricky Petty, Healthier Boynton Beach

Carmelle Marcelin-Chapman, Healthier Lake Worth Beach

Kenya Madison, Healthier Delray Beach

Joanna Peluso, Healthier Jupiter

Antoinita Ifill, Healthier Glades

Please connect with each of the Healthier Together communities on social media to be updated on upcoming conversations and opportunities to learn and grow together. Click on each of the logos below to be directed to their respective pages.

Public Launch of COVID-19 Story Collection Project Shares Personal Experiences of Fear, Hope and Resilience

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 14:21:14 GMT

Story gallery to be featured by Spady Cultural Heritage Museum as a reflection on one of the greatest crises of our time.

West Palm Beach, Fla. – A new website launched by Palm Health Foundation is sharing the COVID-19 personal experiences of Palm Beach County residents. Searchable by city, concern, age, gender and emotions, the story gallery located at phfshares.com provides the public with an intimate glimpse into the lives of neighbors as they live through one of the greatest crises of modern times. Realizing the historical significance of the project, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is working with the foundation on a virtual gallery exhibit that will launch on June 3, 2020 to share the community’s collective experience.

County residents have shared over 700 stories about how COVID-19 has impacted their lives through the new story collection website. The SenseMaker® COVID-19 site was designed to aid Palm Health Foundation and its partners in providing relief to those with urgent needs and as a data collection tool for current and future community health planning. Once the foundation saw the outpouring of experiences, it knew the stories had to be shared with the public in real-time and saved to posterity.

The story gallery reveals a wide array of experiences and emotions across every region and demographic in the county. A story titled “Grieving Alone” shares, “My father passed away on March 31 of heart failure. We should have all gathered at our parents’ home and held each other and grieved. Instead, we stood 6 ft. away from our mother on her porch while she sat there and cried.”

While many stories are of emotional strain, the positive stories far outweigh the negative by over 2.5 to 1. One recent story shared an experience through the eyes of a young child: “The three-year-old put his mask on and instead of seeing himself as a fictional hero character, he said he was a doctor. The real heroes of their time.”

Story collection began in March 2020, conducted by Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Together communities, BeWellPBC , Pathways 2 Prosperity and the EJS Project to understand how the outbreak and community interventions are affecting residents. Through story and data collection, promotion and interpretation exercises, residents and youth become researchers, replacing the usual "experts" who assess communities from the outside.

Individuals who share a story of personal crisis of hunger, mental health and other emergency situations receive support through the Volunteer Nurse Corps, a program of the School of Nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Community Partners of South Florida. Palm Health Foundation’s new Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund is inviting contributions to match its own committed $200K to provide immediate financial support for those with urgent needs. A recent story that prompted immediate response and continuing follow-up began with, “I ran out of food yesterday after going five days on one meal.”

Studies have shown that putting feelings into words can have a positive impact on a patient’s mental health as well as physical health and immune system. “Residents are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety and isolation brought on by COVID-19,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Our story collection project lets residents express themselves in a safe environment and shows other people that they are not alone in their feelings. Rarely, if ever, do we have the chance to share common emotions and experiences across our widely diverse community from every race, ethnicity and income level.”

Spady Cultural Heritage Museum will feature the stories in a gallery alongside other musings, thoughts, prayers, perspectives and recollections from the community during COVID-19. The museum plans to launch a video recorded virtual tour of the exhibit on its spadymuseum.com website on June 3, 2020.

“There is so much for us to learn now and in the future from COVID-19,” said McNamara. “While our foundation will develop a greater understanding of how we can assist our most vulnerable residents, we as community members can also learn from one another about finding resilience within ourselves.”

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

We are Committed to Doing Better

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 17:49:33 GMT

Dear Neighbors,

As we bear witness to deep racial injustice, we must commit to being part of real change. We must show up for our black community by leaning in and listening. We must take responsibility for our own education, both as individuals and organizations.

Palm Health Foundation continues to lean into our Healthier Together and BeWellPBC networks to listen and learn from our community, but even as we continue to learn, we immediately recognize our position of power and influence as a community foundation for health. Over the years, we have engaged in race equity work and committed to learning about the health disparities that impact our neighbors of color – but we acknowledge that we can and need to do better.

As a funder, we recognize our power over resources that have the potential to influence systemic change. Palm Health Foundation makes the following commitments to fight against racial injustice:

We will educate ourselves about systemic racism and the impact on black lives and people of color.
We will listen to individuals and communities most affected by racism.
We will explore ways to grow our equitable practices by challenging our own approaches which may implicitly or explicitly contribute to conditions holding racist and discriminatory practices in place.
We will hold one another accountable to these commitments recognizing the deeper reflection required to truly enact these commitments.
We will advance an equity agenda to impact immediate change and to set the conditions for long-term change for generations to come.

I am inviting leadership at organizations across our community to make these same commitments and to hold one another accountable to steward our resources appropriately and equitably. I am also calling on you to continue this conversation about racism, inclusion and justice with your loved ones and those in your social and professional circles. You can start by using these resources compiled by our friends at the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, or you can do your own research. Together we will create a brighter future for all.

Truly yours,

Patrick McNamara, President & CEO

Palm Health Foundation President and CEO Named Hero in Medicine

Fri, 15 May 2020 17:49:49 GMT

Patrick McNamara Receives Bruce Rendina Professional Hero Award from Palm Beach County Medical Society

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation has been named the recipient of the Bruce Rendina Professional Hero Award by the Palm Beach County Medical Society. The award recognizes an individual who has used his knowledge and abilities to improve the health of local, national and/or global communities. Alina Alonso, MD, Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County director and Palm Health Foundation trustee nominated McNamara for the prestigious award.

In her nomination, Alonso praised McNamara as a force for change in health, housing and human services for two decades in Palm Beach County. In his current role at Palm Health Foundation, McNamara has built vital partnerships, strengthened relationships with system partners and created innovative approaches to solving complex health problems in the areas of mental health, diabetes, nursing, and family caregiving. One of his recent accomplishments was joining forces with Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network to envision a way to unify fragmented silos into a comprehensive county-wide system of care for the addicted. Through a unique 100-day challenge process introduced by McNamara, partners put in safety nets where none existed. By the end of the 100 days, an entirely new Safety Net Recovery System of care had been established and 135 people had received services.

In his former position as president and CEO of Community Partners of South Florida, McNamara led the integrated Housing Partnership and Parent Child Center, unifying the organizations’ housing, community and child and family mental health services to create a comprehensive system of care. One of his significant accomplishments included securing over $25 million in awards and contracts to build housing programs for populations in need, including Evernia Place in West Palm Beach, an 85-unit affordable housing complex for low-income seniors.

While the official ceremony to honor the Heroes in Medicine has been postponed due to COVID-19, Alonso is thrilled to see McNamara get the recognition she believes he deserves. “I had the honor of serving as the chair of the board of trustees for Palm Health Foundation for the past two years where I have watched Pat build relationships and leverage system connections to move the foundation to a new level of excellence and improve our community’s resilience to improve the physical and mental health of its residents,” she said. “Our community is now eliminating physical and behavioral disparities by embracing the social determinants of health that lie at the root of our physical and mental health outcomes.”

McNamara has earned numerous awards and recognition during his career, including the 2013 Leadership Excellence Award from Leadership Palm Beach County and the Alumni Citizenship Award from Franciscan University in 2014. His education includes a fellowship at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education Program-Achieving Excellence in Community Development, 2012-2014 and a Master of Social Work at Tulane University, New Orleans in 1995, making him a proud New Orleans’s Saints fan.

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Health Foundation Nursing Scholarship Recipient Strives to Be FAT

Fri, 08 May 2020 13:38:30 GMT

When Dustin Magdales, RN, MSN received a Palm Health Foundation nursing scholarship through the George Snow Scholarship Fund last April she had no idea how the world’s turn of events would impact her education and her career nearly one year later. As a DNP graduate nursing student at Palm Beach Atlantic University suddenly caring for COVID-19 patients at JFK Medical Center, there is one lesson she keeps turning to time and time again: the importance of being FAT—flexible, adaptable and teachable.

It’s a lesson she also leaned on during a PBAU medical mission trip to El Salvador right before the COVID-19 pandemic. She made home visits to residents in the remote mountains, providing home visit check-ups and triage in uncommon surroundings. When Dustin returned to the U.S. with her fellow students and professors on March 8, Dustin was once again in an unfamiliar environment as she reported to JFK to find that her neuro step down unit had transitioned to a COVID-19 floor. She immediately had patients with the virus, including a fellow nurse.

“In El Salvador and when I returned to JFK Medical Center to treat COVID patients, I knew I needed to stay FAT,” said Dustin. “Flexibility, adaptability and teachability are incredibly important for anyone in a high stress environment, especially when everyone is dealing with the unknown, a novel virus. It’s a lesson I share with my fellow nurses to help us cope.”

Dustin has also relied on PBAU’s biblical teaching to give comfort to others. Grateful to Palm Health Foundation for the opportunity to pursue her Master’s Degree and on to her Doctorate degree full-time, she has embraced the university’s lessons of providing peace to the sick and dying. And she has found Colossians 3:1-3 to be the most calming for herself to think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Hebrews 11:1 has given her strength: Have Faith because faith shows the reality of what we hope for. Faith is the evidence of things we cannot see. “Not seeing what is ahead or not being able to grasp something is a scary thought and it’s okay,” said Dustin.

“What patients look for is that you are honest and human,” said Dustin. “It doesn’t mean preaching. It’s about building relationships and making connections to let them know we are all joined together in this life’s journey. That’s especially important right now as many people in their homes are isolated. It only takes a second to send a text to someone.”

Finding ways to connect deeply with others and living by her personal philosophy, “I just love doing and sharing life with other people,” is what makes Dustin an outstanding scholar, nurse and member of the community.

About Palm Health Foundation’s Nursing Scholarships

Since 2001, Palm Health Foundation has awarded over $3 million in nursing scholarships due to the generosity of donors and the foundation's commitment to nursing advancement in Palm Beach County. Palm Health Foundation partners with The George Snow Scholarship Fund to annually provide a needs-based scholarship program that encourages individuals in the community to enter and advance in the nursing profession .

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund Launches with Car Donation to Mom Committed to Bettering Her Family

Fri, 01 May 2020 17:56:59 GMT

West Palm Beach, Fla. – A recent letter to the editor in The Palm Beach Post inspired a local resident to anonymously donate his car to Palm Health Foundation’s new Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund . In the letter published on April 14, 2020, foundation president and CEO Patrick McNamara spoke of his organization’s focus on long term investment in health equity to strengthen the communities that will be hardest hit by COVID-19 and its economic aftermath. The recipient of the donor’s pristine 2012 Lexus, Cassandra Tomlin, is a resident who lives within the foundation’s Healthier Boynton Beach community. The emotional presentation of the car to Tomlin and her family was made on April 29, 2020.

Tomlin, a mother of four adult children and seven grandchildren, was identified by Healthier Boynton Beach and CIRCLES® of Palm Beach County as someone who had the potential to make great strides with the aid of a vehicle. While dedicated to taking care of her grandson who is blind, and supporting her daughter who works full time and attends nursing school, Tomlin strives to gain meaningful employment to improve her own financial position and pursue an education in working with children with disabilities. She has used public transportation and borrowed cars, but with all her responsibilities, a car is the answer to reaching the life goals she has set with the help of CIRCLES, a program that helps individuals and families break out of poverty and become upwardly mobile through education, mentoring and personal resolve to succeed.

Representatives from Palm Health Foundation, Healthier Boynton Beach and CIRCLES presented the car to Tomlin and her family, complete with a full tank of gas and all fees for the title transfer, tag and insurance down payment paid by the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund. As she stood next to her new car, Tomlin shared, “Tomorrow is never promised, but I’m optimistic now that I will continue striving for betterment for me and my family. I’m extremely excited and grateful for my donor’s gift.”

The new Palm Health Foundation Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund was inspired by the outpouring of need from Palm Beach County residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Established to help residents who are struggling to pay their rent, access food, receive medical treatment and other urgent needs, the foundation has committed up to $200,000 to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for every contribution made to the new fund. Grassroots nonprofits in the foundation’s six Healthier Together communities will distribute the funds to aid in efforts to help residents recover, rebuild and plan for the future.

In addition to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund commitment, Palm Health Foundation recently announced a $10,000 grant at the recommendation of Sissy and Byron Thomas from The Alice Busch Gronewaldt Fund, a donor advised fund, to the United Way of Palm Beach County’s COVID-19 Response Fund. It is the second contribution from Palm Health Foundation to the response fund, the first being a grant of $50,000 provided by Alice and Chris Holbrook, advisors to The Alice Busch Gronewaldt Foundation Fund.

“Thanks to our donors, community partners and Healthier Together networks, we have the ability to provide residents with the resources they need to better their lives now and for the future,” said McNamara. “We are grateful to be the conduit for neighbors wanting to help their fellow neighbors.”

To contribute to The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation, please visit https://bit.ly/35hbXsl .

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Palm Beach County Nonprofits Deploying Crowdsourcing Research Tool to Gain Valuable Insight and Take Action

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 18:15:59 GMT

Making Sense of COVID-19

Palm Beach County Nonprofits Deploying Crowdsourcing Research Tool to Gain Valuable Insight and Take Action

West Palm Beach, Fla. - Palm Beach County nonprofit organizations have joined forces to deploy SenseMaker® , an online crowdsourcing research tool to track the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of citizens. Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Together communities, BeWellPBC , Pathways 2 Prosperity and the EJS Project are collecting personal stories from county residents about how the outbreak and community interventions are affecting residents and taking immediate action to help individuals who share a story of personal crisis.

Launched in mid-March, residents have shared over 500 stories about how COVID-19 has impacted their lives using SenseMaker®, an online storytelling collection tool with robust analytics. The online tool takes less than ten minutes to complete and invites residents to share their stories and “make sense” of them within their individual and community contexts.

“SenseMaker® is giving us a window into both the personal and community-wide impact of COVID-19 in a unique way that reveals patterns in real-time about the effectiveness of response efforts,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Collecting qualitative data has been used by big business to provide valuable consumer insight and now we are applying it to gain valuable insight into the most traumatic experience our county has ever faced in recent history.”

Recognizing the challenge for some to participate online, the foundation’s community partners are deploying youth leaders, ministers and volunteers to reach out to residents who do not have access to a computer or internet connection to ensure their voices are heard. The EJS Project in Delray Beach created a toolkit for collecting stories and data that is being utilized by organizations such as Healthier Neighbors in northern West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach, Healthier Boynton Beach and Pathways 2 Prosperity to cover broad areas of the county.

While the organizations are assessing the data at a community and county level for current and future planning purposes, they have taken immediate action to help individuals in crisis by establishing a rapid response network. The Volunteer Nurse Corps, a program of the School of Nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Community Partners of South Florida are contacting people who have shared stories of hunger, mental health crises, COVID-19 concerns and other emergency situations to offer resources and support. A recent story that prompted immediate response and continuing follow-up began with, “I ran out of food yesterday after going five days on one meal.”

The outpouring of need inspired Palm Health Foundation to establish a new Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund that will help residents who are struggling to pay their rent, access food, receive medical treatment and other urgent needs. The foundation has committed up to $200,000 to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for every contribution made to the new fund. Grassroots nonprofits in the foundation’s six Healthier Together communities will distribute the funds to aid in efforts to help residents recover, rebuild and plan for the future.

“The non-profit organizations and networks partnering to collect resident stories have first-hand knowledge of where our community’s greatest disparities exist and those who are most at risk for the negative health, economic and environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said McNamara. “The stories we are gathering are resulting in real-time feedback loops and support efforts to address individual health inequities now and will guide us to greater health equity county-wide in the future.”

Residents are invited to share their stories at https://bit.ly/3eNIx9B . To contribute to The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation, please visit www.PalmHealthFoundation.org/Make-A-Gift .

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:26:31 GMT

“I ran out of food yesterday after going five days on one meal. I have no money or food stamps. I have no car. The bus is my only transportation. I am considered “high risk” during the COVID-19 crisis due to underlying health problems. I have no mask or gloves. I am terrified to go out unprotected. Many of the food pantries have closed, or I cannot get to them without transportation. I have nobody who can help me.” -- Dwight

Dwight is your neighbor. Like so many others in our community, his life has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, his life wasn’t exactly easy before all of this, either. Dwight lives in a neighborhood known for poor health outcomes due to a variety of factors, including lack of access to healthy food, safe spaces to walk outside and reliable transportation – just to name a few.

Stories like Dwight’s are confirmation of what we already knew to be true – that certain people fair much worse than others when faced with everyday obstacles—and even worse in the case of a global crisis.

So, how can we help Dwight and our other neighbors experiencing even more difficulty than usual during this uncertain time?

Our neighbors told us what they need. Now, it’s time for all of us to help.

Ricky Petty, Healthier Boynton Beach project director, and the Tomlin Family, recipients of a vehicle donation through The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation

Palm Health Foundation has established The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund to put small grants directly into the hands of residents who are struggling to pay their rent, access food, receive medical treatment and more. This fund will aid in efforts to help our neighbors recover, rebuild and plan for the future.

Please give to The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund today to help our community’s most vulnerable residents.

Palm Health Foundation has committed $200,000 of our own grantmaking funds to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for every contribution made to The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund . For every dollar you donate, we will match it with a dollar in the fund.

Together, we can help our neighbors like Dwight. We can ensure that our neighbors have the resources they need to weather the challenges ahead and emerge stronger than ever.

Donate now to take advantage of the CARES Act which establishes a new, temporary charitable deduction (limited to $300) in tax year 2020 for taxpayers who claim the standard deduction.

Thank you to those who have donated to

The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation:

Anonymous

Stacey Amodio

Ellen Andel

Kirk Bell

Seth Bernstein

Katrina Blackmon

Denise Bober

Suzanne Brenner

Carrie Browne

Lillian Castellano

Castle Wealth Management

Julie F. Cummings

Donna Davis

Bill DelGrosso

Margaret Donnelley

Kirk and Paula Dorhout

Susan Feldman

Marsha Fishbane

Frances and Jeffrey Fisher

Abby and Chad Goodwin

Linda LaRocca-Green

Kenneth and Summer Groves

Julia Harris-Smith

Barbara James

Philippe Jeck

Phyllis Jepson

Janice Johnson

Christina Kramer

Jessie Lavelanet

Dr. Daniel Lichtstein

Anthony Lofaso

Sandra Mari

Cathy Marshall

Milton Martyny

Pat and Ana McNamara

Carmen Palacios

Chrissie and Scott Perron

Greg and Julie Quattlebaum

Pascale Reid

Barbara Richardson

Mark Rubenstein

Philip Reagan

Paul and Ruth Schwarzkopf

Andrea Stephenson-Royster

Lynn Strayer

Marilynn Seits

Ilene Solomon Silber and Louis Silber

Mark Stein

Marge Sullivan

The David & Sondra Mack Foundation, Inc.

David and Shawn Wisehaupt

Ramona Young

Zaloom Foundation

Palm Health Foundation is utilizing our Healthier Together networks to identify and assist our neighbors in need. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please view a list of local resources here: https://211palmbeach.org/coronavirus

Palm Health Foundation's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:17:03 GMT

Palm Health Foundation is leveraging our role as collaborator, convener and leader of innovative solutions for better health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation is working with local partners to organize relief and response efforts for our community. Our work is ongoing; this page will be updated as we continue to provide assistance to our neighbors.

Establishing the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation

Our lives have all been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but some of us are struggling much more than others in this “new normal.” Those of us who are still able to keep our jobs, pay our bills, access food and shelter safely at home, might be wondering what we can do to help those who don’t have these securities -- without putting ourselves, or the community, at risk.

Palm Health Foundation has established The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund to help our neighbors in need, in exactly the way they need it. This fund will put small grants directly in the hands of Palm Beach County residents so they can recover, rebuild and plan for the future.

For every dollar you contribute to the fund, Palm Health Foundation will match it. That means that for every dollar you donate, two dollars will go into the hands of residents in need.

Ricky Petty, Healthier Boynton Beach project director, and the Tomlin Family, recipients of a vehicle donation through The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation

Click to READ MORE about The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation.

Thank you to those who have donated to The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Palm Health Foundation:

Anonymous

Stacey Amodio

Ellen Andel

Kirk Bell

Seth Bernstein

Katrina Blackmon

Denise Bober

Suzanne Brenner

Carrie Browne

Lillian Castellano

Castle Wealth Management

Julie F. Cummings

Donna Davis

Bill DelGrosso

Margaret Donnelley

Kirk and Paula Dorhout

Susan Feldman

Marsha Fishbane

Frances and Jeffrey Fisher

Abby and Chad Goodwin

Linda LaRocca-Green

Kenneth and Summer Groves

Julia Harris-Smith

Barbara James

Philippe Jeck

Phyllis Jepson

Janice Johnson

Christina Kramer

Jessie Lavelanet

Dr. Daniel Lichtstein

Anthony Lofaso

Sandra Mari

Cathy Marshall

Milton Martyny

Pat and Ana McNamara

Carmen Palacios

Chrissie and Scott Perron

Greg and Julie Quattlebaum

Pascale Reid

Barbara Richardson

Mark Rubenstein

Philip Reagan

Paul and Ruth Schwarzkopf

Andrea Stephenson-Royster

Lynn Strayer

Marilynn Seits

Ilene Solomon Silber and Louis Silber

Mark Stein

Marge Sullivan

The David & Sondra Mack Foundation, Inc.

David and Shawn Wisehaupt

Ramona Young

Zaloom Foundation

Palm Health Foundation is utilizing our Healthier Together networks to identify and assist our neighbors in need. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please view a list of local resources here: https://211palmbeach.org/coronavirus

Supporting United Way of Palm Beach County's COVID-19 Response Fund

Palm Health Foundation is supporting United Way of Palm Beach County's COVID-19 Response Fund, established to help our neighbors with food and financial assistance, through a generous grant provided by Alice and Chris Holbrook, advisors to The Alice Busch Gronewaldt Foundation Fund at Palm Health Foundation.

Activating a Health Equity Network Response

Palm Health Foundation believes that the pervasive nature of this pandemic calls for both traditional crisis response and more adaptive mechanisms. The foundation's Healthier Together community-based networks and BeWellPBC’s county-wide networks are driving virtual connections and outreach to ensure residents have a voice and a role in developing solutions that are responsive to their needs.

Connecting Neighbors and Collecting Stories

Through tools like Facebook Live and Zoom, the Healthier Together communities and BeWellPBC are linking people to one another—particularly those with the greatest health disparities—to cultivate social connectedness and counteract stress, social isolation and concern about the future. Click here to read more about these efforts.

Palm Health Foundation is inviting residents to share their experiences during this time of uncertainty through SenseMaker, an online storytelling collection tool. Feedback is anonymous and will be analyzed to inform how Palm Health Foundation and BeWellPBC will provide future assistance to the community.

Click here to share your story.

Solving "Last Mile" Issues and Addressing Brain Health

In partnership with the Hunger Relief Coalition, Palm Health Foundation's Healthier Together communities are helping to solve "last mile" issues in food distribution for their most vulnerable neighbors.

The foundation is also working with several partners to address the growing brain health needs of our residents, given the stress produced by the pandemic. Palm Health Foundation is exploring opportunities for making significant systemic improvements on our community's behavioral health safety net, including advances in telehealth and the implementation of an integrated network solution.

Extending the Let's Move Physical Activity Challenge

Palm Health Foundation has extended the month-long Let's Move: Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge beyond its original end date of March 31, 2020 to emphasize the importance of exercise for good physical and mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak. The foundation encourages Palm Beach County residents to set a goal of at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, every day and to log minutes on the Let's Move website: www.LetsMovePBC.org .

Click here to read more about the extension of the Let's Move challenge.

Palm Health Foundation's Luncheon Puts Spotlight on Local Talent Advancing Brain Health

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 15:02:52 GMT

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Nearly four hundred guests were awed by the students, researchers and community leaders who took to the stage to share how they are contributing to a movement in brain health advancement across Palm Beach County during the Palm Health Foundation Better Brain Health Luncheon on January 16, 2020 at the Kravis Center, Cohen Pavilion in West Palm Beach. Speakers delivered their insights as “Brain Bytes”—rapid-fire, bite-sized presentations—and included cutting-edge researchers, Palm Beach County high school students interning at the FAU Biomedical Sciences Academy, and leaders in workplace and community wellness, including Denise Bober from The Breakers Palm Beach and Jeanette Marshall of Healthier Neighbors. Frances and Jeffrey Fisher served as presenting sponsors, joined by luncheon supporter Julie Fisher Cummings and sponsors Blue Ocean Capital, Baptist Health South Florida and Valley National Bank.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit Palm Health Foundation’s Brain Health Innovation Fund, designed to propel Palm Beach County into being a national leader in brain health innovation. The foundation’s goal is to raise and invest $1 million in projects that advance brain health innovation in the community by the end of 2020. The fund will support projects such as: a community based research project on mitigating the effects of toxic stress; the development of a computational neuroscience program using artificial intelligence; and the application of a mindfulness-based attention training for First Responders.

In 2019, the Brain Health Innovation Fund expanded Mental Health First Aid training across Palm Beach County in multiple languages, helped launch a countywide behavioral health movement called BeWellPBC, and helped connect people with opioid use disorder to appropriate services, including medication assisted treatment.

Denise Bober, senior vice president of human resources at The Breakers Palm Beach and chair of the board of trustees at Palm Health Foundation opened the program by talking about the importance of creating a culture of wellbeing—in the workplace as well as the community—that includes brain health. “The Breakers and Palm Health Foundation share a common interest in shining a spotlight on the importance of good brain health, so my passion for my work at The Breakers and with the foundation is perfectly synchronized.”

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation was grateful to see the outpouring of support for local brain health advancement. “Our speakers demonstrated the unique partnerships and innovative networks we have inspired among brain science, community members, education and care settings,” said McNamara.

McNamara also recognized the county’s leading assets for advancing brain health, including the Max Planck Institute, the Scripps Research Institute, the FAU Brain Institute and the South Florida Science Center. “We seek to unleash our community’s potential by strengthening the ties between our assets in scientific brain research, community well-being, and improved care of the whole person. We see our role as nothing less than to make Palm Beach County a national leader in promoting brain health by establishing a local hub of innovation,” he said.

Luncheon guests included Frances Fisher, Julie Fisher Cummings, Jill and Jessica Merrell of The Merrell Family Foundation, Joyce and Dusty Sang of the The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation, Pete and Patty Cooke, Jack and Peter Lansing, Mark and Susan Elhilow, Clarence and Ethel Williams, Bill Bone, Margaret Donnelly, George Elmore and Marti LaTour, Greg and Julie Quattlebaum, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, Palm Beach County Commissioner Robert Weinroth, City of West Palm Beach Commissioner Kelly Shoaf, Erica Whitfield with the School Board of Palm Beach County, Jupiter Medical Center CEO Amit Rastogi, Children’s Service’s Council CEO Lisa Williams-Taylor and executive director of FAU’s Brain Institute Randy Blakely.

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 $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Healthier Lake Worth Beach Celebrates Two Years of Behavioral Health Impact

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 18:44:54 GMT

Healthier Lake Worth Beach (HLWB), a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative focused on supporting the behavioral health and well-being of residents, held their Second Annual Anniversary Celebration on December 7, 2019 at the Osborne Community Center. Two hundred community members attended the event to recognize achievements, honor volunteers and showcase the impact sponsorship award recipients have made in the community.

Talented youth groups performed Haitian Konpa and folklore singing and dancing routines and sponsorship recipients shared their successes to support HWLB’s goals to improve neighborhood health, the community environment and safety—all social determinant factors that affect resident behavioral health.

HWLB has granted a total of $50,000 in sponsorships during the past two years ranging from $2,000-$10,000 to provide community organizations with the resources they need to increase capacity and efficiency of existing programs or serve as a catalyst to fund new projects that align with HLWB and the community’s priorities. These include food insecurity, increasing youth literacy, access to sports/outdoor activities for youth, increasing youth resources and reducing the perceived stigma around addiction and mental health. The sponsorship recipients recognized at the second anniversary celebration were:

South Grade Elementary School. Funding for student safety patrol trips to Washington D.C. Students and their parents give back by participating in neighborhood clean-ups.

Lake Worth Library CREATeLab Project. Support to purchase iPads, laptops a charging station and printing toner for school-age children to have access to computer resources.

Haitian Evangelical Lutheran Church. An award to purchase equipment to support the church’s food pantry, resulting in increased provisions for those most in need and enhanced safety.

Art of Recovery Film Festival. Support to create a platform for substance abuse and behavioral health education and awareness to decrease stigma.

Arms of Hope Soup Kitchen and Pantry. Funding to purchase equipment that increased productivity and resulted in hotter, tastier meals.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office . A sponsorship to support a Fitness, Unity, and Neighborhood “F.U.N.” mobile sports program that brings equipment for various sports activities to parks, allowing youth ready access to recreation.

Carmelle Marcelin-Chapman, project director of Healthier Lake Worth Beach, has seen the impact the initiative has made in the community since it began two years ago and was pleased to recognize the wide range of people and organizations that have joined the cause.

“Research shows your ZIP code and the environment in which you live can be one of the major risk factors for behavioral health issues,” said Marcelin-Chapman. “We started with creating a cleaner, greener environment in Lake Worth Beach to promote a positive outlook, increase pride in where our residents live, decrease crime and encourage children and adults to go outside and enjoy their neighborhood. We’re now recognized by our city as the go-to for improving quality of life, contributing to greater behavioral health and wellness for all.”

About the Healthier Together Initiative

Healthier Together is a resident-led, community-driven, grantmaking approach developed by Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. This strategic initiative convenes residents to address a variety of social, economic and environmental factors that affect health outcomes. Healthier Together empowers residents to create their own solutions to make positive, healthy changes in the neighborhoods where they live, work and play.

"Night at the Museum" Event Illuminates Importance of Mental Health First Aid

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 20:20:15 GMT

On November 6, 2019 -- Palm Health Foundation together with Alpert Jewish Family Service hosted “Night at the Museum” for 130 guests at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach to put a spotlight on the need for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) funding. MHFA is a nationally renowned, evidence-based training course that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health crises and substance use disorders. The evening’s inspiring speakers shared with guests the effectiveness of this grassroots program and their goal to make it as accessible as CPR training.

Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County and chair of Palm Health Foundation’s board of trustees, kicked off the evening by sharing with guests the purpose of the gathering: “We are changing the conversation around mental health.”

The foundation’s MHFA partnership with Alpert Jewish Family Service came together through Dr. Elaine Rotenberg, clinical director of Alpert Jewish Family Service, who commented, “We have very similar philosophies of how to hold hands as a community, on a real grass roots level, and make a huge difference.”

Palm Health Foundation was the first funder to support the creation of the Palm Beach County Mental Health First Aid Coalition, launched in 2015 by Dr. Rotenberg. In the five years since the coalition’s inception, it has grown to include 16 agencies, the School District of Palm Beach County, 87 nationally certified instructors and has trained more than 6,000 citizens. The success of the program has attracted the support of the Merrell Family Foundation and the Florida Blue Foundation and is included in Palm Beach County’s Community Health Improvement Plan.

Both Palm Health Foundation and Alpert Jewish Family Service are committed to destigmatizing mental illness and increasing mental health literacy of all residents by offering MHFA training courses that reflect the county’s diversity and increase health equity. The evening’s keynote speaker, Freslaine St. Louis, shared her personal experience dealing with mental illness in her family. St. Louis is one of the county’s first Haitian Creole speaking MHFA trainers and leverages her position as a local youth minister to break through the resistance and fear around the term “mental health” in her church and community.

“While many other people and cultures approach mental health with fear and misunderstanding, the stakes were too high for my community to avoid the subject any longer,” shared St. Louis. “I used my Mental Health First Aid training to educate parents how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in their children.”

St. Louis’s story paralleled comments made by Marc Hopin, CEO of Alpert Jewish Family Service, describing the agency’s mission “to serve the community and fulfill our obligation of TIKKUN OLAM, a Hebrew phrase meaning ‘repairing the world.’” Patrick McNamara, CEO and president of Palm Health Foundation later summed up the evening in a call for donations for the Mental Health First Aid Fund by stating, “I am confident that, working together, we can lead a movement to build a culture of better brain health in Palm Beach County. Together, we can transform how we address brain wellness and treat brain disorders.”

Event guests included: Bill Bone, Margie Betten and Christian Siegrist, Jill and Jess Merrell, Margaret Donnelly, Stacey and Michael A. Lampert, Ellie Hart, Zelda Mason, Philippe Jeck and Shauna Kranendonk, the Honorable Barbara Pariente and Phyllis and Jeffrey Penner.

To give to the Mental Health First Aid Fund, please visit www.palmhealthfoundation.org/mhfa-fund .

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 $80 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

This is Health: Sharonda's Story

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 19:27:18 GMT

Palm Health Foundation is working to build a culture of health in Palm Beach County in which all residents have opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential. One of the ways we are doing this is through the Open Table Poverty Initiative.

A person needs access to healthy foods, reliable transportation, safe places to exercise and much more to maintain good health over their lifetime. Therefore, a person experiencing poverty is often unable to reach their full health potential – at least, not without a little help.

The Open Table initiative is providing help to families experiencing poverty through networks of individuals, or “tables,” that meet on a weekly basis to identify areas in which a family needs assistance, and then lend personal expertise or connections to assist. Table members help families achieve their life goals.

This summer, a table in the Glades community surrounded a single mother of four children with support that ended up dramatically changing her circumstances:

One evening, while driving home from work, Sharonda got a flat tire. It was dark, she was alone, she had no phone and was in the middle of nowhere. She had no choice but to drive her car, on that flat tire, all the way home. The extensive car damage from that drive rendered her vehicle unusable and became the first domino to fall in a series of setbacks that left Sharonda and her family without income, electricity, food or stability. The final domino fell when Sharonda received an eviction notice.

Before losing her home, Sharonda was embraced by the Open Table initiative, where table members, or “brothers” and “sisters” listened to her troubles and offered assistance – not through monetary donations, but by tapping into their personal networks and knowledge base to provide the help she needed.

One brother, Director of Grants & Evaluation at Palm Health Foundation Andy McAusland, put in a personal call to the CEO of a nonprofit that provides trade instruction to teens called Project LIFT. This organization offers an auto-mechanic program complete with a full-service auto workshop. Project LIFT picked up Sharonda's car and fixed it within two weeks, free-of-charge.

“I love the Open Table model, because it’s about neighbors helping neighbors,” says McAusland. “Neighbors who don’t know each other at first bond with each other and form deep relationships that improve the larger community. We’ve created relationships that will last for life.”

A sister connected Sharonda with rent assistance and advocated against her unlawfully speedy eviction. Another sister worked with a local assistance program to get the electricity turned back on. A third sister tapped into her personal network and secured a new job for the single mom – this job is within walking distance to her home.

The brothers and sisters around Sharonda's table utilized their social capital to help her out of a crisis situation, but their presence in her life doesn’t end there. Now that her immediate needs are met, she can focus on her “life plan.” First up on the life plan list: learning to budget. She has many brothers and sisters who can help with that, and whatever comes next.

Click here to be part of the work that Palm Health Foundation is doing to build a culture of health in our community.

The Mental Health First Aid Fund at Palm Health Foundation

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 20:57:49 GMT

Palm Health Foundation wants to put Palm Beach County on the map as a national leader in brain health advancement. Our efforts include promoting better brain health for our residents through the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program. MHFA teaches members of the public how to identify and help a person who is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Since 2018, hundreds of residents have taken the training and now have the tools to help a neighbor in need. Palm Health Foundation plans to continue providing this life saving program to our community in partnership with Florida Blue Foundation , which helps fund MHFA, Alpert Jewish Family Service, which administers it, and you .

Freslaine St. Louis is among those whose lives have been changed by the MHFA program, and in turn, she is changing others’. She was among the first in the county to become a MHFA instructor for Haitian Creole speaking residents, and is breaking down barriers within the Haitian community around mental health. Here's her story:

What do the words "mental health" mean to you?

When you hear them, do they make you uncomfortable? Are they only used for people with severe illnesses like schizophrenia? Is it a subject that is silenced to avoid embarrassment?

For so many in the Haitian community where I was raised, the answer is yes to all of these questions.

While many other people and cultures approach mental health with fear and misunderstanding, the stakes were too high for my community to avoid the subject any longer.

As a youth minister, I saw first-hand how quickly and easily children and teens with anxiety and stress could turn to substance abuse. I knew we couldn’t be passive. We had to have difficult conversations, or risk losing them.

Palm Health Foundation and their donors were there for me and my community.

Thanks to the foundation’s deep support of brain health, I became one of the first Haitian Creole speaking trainers in Palm Beach County for Mental Health First Aid, a nationally renowned eight-hour course that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

That was just the first step to removing the stigma of mental health in the Haitian community. But it was a vitally important one.

I used my Mental Health First Aid training to educate parents that the everyday stress and challenges we all feel are mental health. There was resistance at first, but I persevered. I am now helping them learn how to communicate and engage more with their children. Most importantly, I am sharing how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders among their children.

Without Palm Health Foundation and believers like you, our children would be at risk. Please donate to support innovative solutions to health in Palm Beach County.

Your donation of any amount to Palm Health Foundation will help grow our impactful work.

100% of your contribution stays in Palm Beach County to better health in our community.

The foundation and its supporters believe, as I do, that our children’s lives are in all of our hands. With their help, we are doing so much more than providing mental health education. We are creating a movement. Mental Health First Aid in the Haitian community has grown through word of mouth as parents realize what mental health really is and why it is so important to understand and recognize—for their children and for themselves. Parents now come to me asking for help—they are no longer afraid.

My story is just one of many that has been made possible thanks to the generosity of those who donate to Palm Health Foundation. There are scores of others who would tell you how lives have been changed, health has improved, and communities have become stronger thanks to their innovative approach to health solutions—from grass roots initiatives like mine to impacting healthcare systems that affect us all.

Will you join us by making a gift to create positive changes in our community?

Your gift will ensure we continue to reach the people who need our help the most. Those who are at risk. Those who can only be reached by the trusted voices of their own communities. And those who, like me, work together with Palm Health Foundation to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. I invite you to do the same.

Yours in good health,

Freslaine Saint Louis

“We are a firm believer in supporting residents like Freslaine to lead health initiatives in their own communities. They know better than anyone what resources are needed and the best approaches to deliver them to create change. Join us to create an even deeper local impact.”

- Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation President and CEO

The Mental Health First Aid program is brought to the Palm Beach County community through the efforts of Palm Health Foundation and these partners:

For more ways to donate or to learn more about partnering with Palm Health Foundation, please contact:

Carrie Browne

Director of Philanthropy

(561) 837-2281

Palm Health Foundation's B.J. & Paula Harris Fund to Help Rebuild Children's Development Center in Belle Glade, FL

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 17:36:04 GMT

Contribution to support First Haitian Baptist Church as they replace dilapidated 1940s children’s center beyond repair.

The B.J. & Paula Harris Fund at Palm Health Foundation has made a $10,000 gift to The Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller, Commandery of the Palm Beaches (SOSJ) to support the First Haitian Baptist Church of Belle Glade’s Youth and Children’s Development Center. The gift will be used to support the construction of a new 5,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose facility for the children of Belle Glade replacing the current building, a 1940s house that is beyond repair and too small to meet the needs of the community.

The SOSJ has made a three-year commitment to raise the funds needed to build the new children’s development center. The B.J. & Paula Harris Fund gift will help the new center meet its $500,000 goal and expand to meet the growing needs of the 120+ children who attend the center for after-school care. Educational programs including reading, math, science and social studies are offered in English and Creole as many of the children and young teens attending are from Haiti and need bilingual support to help them excel at school. The center will also offer supportive nutrition and mentoring for the children. With the new, expanded facility, the center hopes to become a true community hub for all ages, offering senior programming, cultural activities and space for a nursery and children’s area when church services are held.

“We know that the social determinants of health—conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play—can affect health and long-term outcomes,” said Patrick McNamara, CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “The B.J. & Paula Harris Fund gift will help provide children with a safe, productive environment where they can experience the joy of learning, have a healthy meal and get exercise through play, contributing to a healthy youth and establishing lifelong healthy practices.”

The B.J. and Paula Harris Fund honors the memory of B.J. Harris who wholeheartedly believed in giving back to the community where he lived. His deep commitment to community coupled with a keen interest in health improvement compelled him to establish the donor advised fund at Palm Health Foundation.

To learn more about the SOSJ and First Haitian Baptist Church of Belle Glade’s Youth and Children’s Development Center please visit https://www.sosjpb.org/belle-glade-project .

CarrieB@phfpbc.org , 561-837-2281

Florida Senators Gayle Harrell and Darryl Rouson Visit First-in-Florida Rural "Open Table" Poverty Transformation Initiative in the Glades

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 19:35:58 GMT

Senators learn how Glades faith community and local government are partnering to support people experiencing poverty achieve the lives they envision for themselves and their children.

West Palm Beach, FL – Florida Senators Gayle Harrell, District 25, and Darryl Rouson, District 19, recently visited with Palm Beach County community leaders who are at the forefront of launching Open Table , a national model that brings together faith organizations, government, business, healthcare, non-profit and other sectors to help individuals and families experiencing poverty. Mayors of Belle Glade, South Bay, Pahokee and Jon Katov, CEO and founder of Open Table, joined with other leaders to share with the senators how the model brings together a “table” of approximately ten individuals to invest their time, personal connections, and skills in the life of an individual or family on a weekly basis over the long term, becoming a team of advocates to move them out of poverty, permanently. It is the first time the Open Table model has been launched in a rural, low income Florida community.

The idea to bring Open Table to Palm Beach County emanated from the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network as a promising practice. It was first embraced in the Glades by Veree Jenkins, CEO and founder of the Federation of Families and Reverend Willie Lawrence, Pastor of St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church in Belle Glade who also co-chairs Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Glades initiative. The two brought the concept to community leaders throughout the Glades, including Mayor Joe Kyles, City of South Bay, who became the first mayor in the U.S. to sponsor an Open Table in his community. Mayor Wilson, City of Belle Glade and Mayor Babbs, City of Pahokee quickly joined as well.

Also key to the initiative’s success has been the involvement of the faith community, with pastors of ten African American churches unifying in the Glades and signing on to commit their support. Funders include Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, Quantum Foundation and Palm Health Foundation. Palm Health Foundation serves as the “backbone” organization for Open Table, providing managerial and administrative oversight, and is the first foundation in the U.S. to take on a funder and leadership role as an active partner with senior staff members serving on Tables in the Glades. The foundation itself is launching a Table.

Community leaders at the meeting with Senators Harrell and Rouson shared their early experiences about their own training for becoming a “table member,” one of approximately ten people who will come together weekly to form a table with an individual or family who needs personal guidance and support to help them develop connections and tools to succeed. Guidance is provided for education, employment, behavioral health or other areas of need where the table members have expertise to provide a comprehensive, integrated system of support.

Andy McAusland, director of grants and evaluation for Palm Health Foundation, became one of the first members of a table and shared his thoughts with Senators Harrell and Rouson at the meeting. “Open Table gives us a proven model for creating a network of support and pathways out of poverty,” said McAusland. “All members of a table come with the sincere desire to give of themselves and help that one person or family develop a life plan for their vision of a successful life. We help them get there. It’s love thy neighbor—it’s no more complicated than that.”

The first Open Table in the Glades launched June 2019. Individuals or families for Open Table are selected by members of the Glades STAR, the children’s mental health partnership group. Table members come largely from the Glades community and have been trained to serve. Forty people have been trained to become table members and have started tables.

Senators Harrell and Rouson heard of the great promise of Open Table and wanted to know more for their own communities. Their interest and that of the Glades is how the Open Table model can provide wraparound supports—from mental health to employment—to develop their own strengths and transform their lives from poverty to self-sufficiency and stabilization.

“The Glades is a demonstration of how our country can reclaim the human potential of all people, said Jon Katov, founder and CEO of Open Table. “A nation where human potential is divided – one part powered through economic mobility and the other using its energy to battle poverty – will never end poverty. But the fruit of combined human potential will transform it.”

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 $80 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Healthier Neighbors "Nourish" Retreat Addresses Brain Health for Women of Color

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 11:29:24 GMT

Event recognizes mental health disparities for African Americans

West Palm Beach, FL – One hundred professional women of color recently came together at Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach for Nourish, an all-day brain health event offered for free by Healthier Neighbors, a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative . The event was designed to address the specific needs of the attendees as African Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population according to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health.

Nourish was the brainchild of Jeanette Marshall, senior director of Healthier Neighbors , an initiative that is focused on improving the health and well-being of residents living in the Northern West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach neighborhoods. Healthier Neighbors convenes residents, listens to their needs and provides financial support and resources to help the neighborhoods make positive, healthy changes.

Marshall realized that general mental health awareness messaging wasn’t resonating with the specific needs of the people she serves. “A large percentage of the professional women of color in our community are caretakers. They don’t take the time to address their mental health,” Marshall explained. “These women do such a great job creating initiatives and finding solutions for the community, but do not take the same level of care for themselves.”

A committee of five high-powered professional women helped Marshall develop the day-long retreat filled with workshops and experiences intended to bring peace, knowledge and empowerment. They included: Leontyne Brown with 513 Media; Shenetria Moore with SHEholdings; Anitra Moss with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies; Sophia Nelson with S.A. Nelson and Associates; and Sheree Wolliston with American Heart Association of Palm Beach County.

Radio personality Moshay Laren served as event host for the retreat as attendees participated in sessions ranging from self-guided adult coloring, yoga and meditation, crystal healing, journaling techniques, spiritual beading, creating vision boards, essential oils and the power of positive affirmations. During an afternoon lecture titled, “Black Women at Work and in Society” and facilitated by Christine Platt, author and influencer, attendees stood and told stories of personal struggle with self-care. Platt shared that professional women of color with advanced degrees have higher mortality rates than white women who are high school drop-outs.

A discussion about why health outcomes are poorer for black women led to a commentary on the portrayal of black women in culture and their role throughout American history. “Black women are understood to be strong, unwaveringly resilient and therefore averse to showing vulnerability and emotion,” said Vanessa Moss, an attendee and Palm Health Foundation’s communications manager. “In higher education and the workplace, black women often find themselves the only one represented in a room of colleagues. This leads to a feeling of needing to work twice as hard to reach the accomplishments and accolades attainable by non-black peers. The weight of these realities can cause black women to internalize stress, which can lead to chronic health issues, including anxiety and depression.”

Nourish provided the attendees with a safe environment to come together and identify with one another, while also learning new strategies for increasing positive brain health. “The event committee and I designed the experience so that all attendees walked away from Nourish understanding the need for self-care in their daily lives,” Marshall said.

They certainly did. Attendees clapped and cheered each other on as women stood to declare their intentions for self-care and work-life balance. Women smiled, hugged, exchanged business cards and left Manatee Lagoon newly inspired and encouraged.

Grantee Spotlight: Volunteer Nurse Corps

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 13:41:53 GMT

Palm Health Foundation established the Volunteer Nurse Corps (VNC) in 2016, a program administered by the School of Nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic University, which utilizes volunteer nurses to provide health information, education and care to vulnerable populations in Palm Beach County.

Now in 2019, the VNC is still going strong in our community. This month, the VNC provided health screening services to 250 Bank of America employees who were attending an annual team building event at Eau Palm Beach Resort in Manalapan, Florida. The Bank of America staffers in attendance included local employees as well as international employees, from places as far away as London and Hong Kong.

Led by the Volunteer Nurse Corps Executive Director, Dr. Fontaine Timmer, the VNC participated in a mini health fair, where nurses provided blood pressure screenings, handed out health materials and answered basic health questions. Several of the attendees expressed interest in the concept of a Volunteer Nurse Corps and inquired if the Palm Beach County group could help replicate the program in their hometowns.

Just one month after National Nurses Week, this event was a great example of how our Palm Beach County nurses continue to go above and beyond to make our community – and others – a healthier place to live.

Have You Ever Had a Dream that Seemed Impossible to Reach?

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 17:40:55 GMT

For me, that dream was becoming a nurse.

No one in my family had ever graduated from college. I was a high school dropout and a teenage mom. And, devastating family circumstances nearly pulled me further off course. My journey was not an easy one. But, I’m here to tell you that I not only realized my dream, I exceeded it! Today, I am Dr. Karen Wisdom-Chambers, an assistant professor of nursing in Palm Beach County, teaching the next generation who dream of becoming nurses.

As a teen mom, I worked hard to earn an associates and later a bachelor’s degree. But my heart told me I needed to do more. I wanted to inspire others by becoming an educator, so I applied to a local doctoral program.

At 12:00 p.m. on August 1, 2011 I learned that I had been accepted. I immediately called my son. He was as excited as I was and asked if he would now have to start calling me, “Dr. Mom.” At 10:00 p.m. that night, a police officer knocked on my door. My son had been murdered.

Reeling from his loss, I felt that I could not go on with my studies. However, I knew in my heart my son would want me to carry on and fulfill my dream. Eleven days after I buried my son, I started my doctoral program. But, life’s tragedies weren’t done with me yet.

Two years later, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. His chances for survival were slim. As I took him to chemo and radiation appointments, I also had the added stress of mounting medical bills and a daughter in college.

I didn’t know how I would pay for my own schooling and didn’t know where to turn for help. I faced losing my life-long dream of becoming a nurse educator. But, Palm Health Foundation was there for me.

Please donate to Palm Health Foundation to support nurses like me.

I applied for and received a scholarship. The foundation provided me with the financial support I needed at a critical time in my life. If it hadn’t been for that scholarship, I would have dropped out of the program, and my dream of being a nurse educator would be unfulfilled. One month after my husband passed away, I graduated with a doctorate in nursing.

There are so many stories like mine—people who try so hard to do everything on their own to succeed. But, there comes a time when they find themselves needing a helping hand. Palm Health Foundation is that helping hand.

Your gift to Palm Health Foundation will have a ripple effect—impacting the life of a student, our vulnerable residents, and the health of our community. I know it has impacted me and every single life I touch.

With gratitude,

Dr. Karen Wisdom — Chambers

P.S. Palm Health Foundation supports programs to promote education and better health in so many innovative ways, from scholarships to community nursing initiatives. To donate, create your own charitable giving fund, or to learn more, click here .

New BeWellPBC Mobilizes Community to Advance Behavioral Health for Children and Families

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 11:32:03 GMT

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Palm Beach County foundations, system partners and community members have joined together to create a new initiative focused on advancing behavioral health for children and families. The recently launched BeWellPBC will dedicate its work to increasing and improving interagency coordination and alignment of behavioral health services and more widely engaging community members in innovative solutions.

Last year’s Parkland shooting and high profile suicides placed an important spotlight on behavioral health and the need for coordination at all levels of the community to ensure comprehensive care and promote behavioral wellness. Increasing rates for adult suicides and depression among youth, and Florida’s ranking as 49th in the nation for behavioral health funding, heightened the urgency for Palm Beach County funders and system partners to come together to create BeWellPBC.

Partners for the collective effort include Palm Health Foundation, Farris Foundation, Quantum Foundation, Children’s Services Council, Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, Palm Beach County, United Way of Palm Beach County, the School District of Palm Beach County and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County.

The partners utilized both research and community involvement to create the structure and goals for BeWellPBC. A county-wide behavioral health needs assessment and strategic plan developed by the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network served as the catalyst for the initial concept. Community summits hosted by Palm Health Foundation collected input from 120 individuals, including those who have lived experience in behavioral health, elected officials, and those who represent faith-based organizations, service providers and system partners.

Working with our local schools will be at the forefront of BeWellPBC’s work while engaging community residents, systems and sectors to strengthen the county’s behavioral health infrastructure. There will also be an emphasis on understanding and addressing equity barriers in behavioral health care. Specific goals include:

Expanding mental health training in schools for school personnel and families
Addressing cultural competence, workforce diversity, and racial/ethnic disparities within the behavioral health field
Providing screening, access to services, care coordination, wraparound services and crisis support
Integrating behavioral health services into primary care that include cross-system tracking
Engaging existing community initiatives to collaborate under a common goal and creating geographic hubs for information and services. The county’s Birth to 22 program and Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Together communities are two examples.
Advocating for policies promoting behavioral wellness

Palm Health Foundation will serve as the backbone organization and fiscal agent for BeWellPBC and will house the new entity at its West Palm Beach office. Lauren Zuchman, former executive director of Healthier Delray Beach, has been hired as BeWellPBC’s executive director. A Stewardship Council will govern BeWellPBC. Members are a blend of 50% providers, professionals, system partners, funders and elected officials and 50% residents who have been directly impacted by behavioral health issues or are leaders or influencers in their communities and neighborhoods.

“The partners and community members who created BeWellPBC have made a promise that collectively we can do better for Palm Beach County’s children and families,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “Behavioral health is everyone’s issue. It touches our entire community, regardless of socioeconomic status, age or education level. Our goal is to create a community culture in which every person thrives because they feel empowered, hopeful, supported and connected.”

BeWellPBC is already drawing national interest and support. ReThink Health, an initiative of the Ripple Foundation and a thought leader in the health philanthropy field, will provide free technical assistance and capacity building support over a two-year period as part of its pilot program, “Pathways for Transforming Regional Health.” The pilot is a model for accelerating large scale health-related change and is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

“We know we have touched on a deep need by communities all over the country and hope to be a model of innovation and behavioral health transformation,” said McNamara.

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 $78 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Healthier Neighbors Breaks Down Barriers to Healthy Eating

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:19:49 GMT

You probably know that eating healthy food plays a big role in reaching your full health potential. However, it’s one thing to know about a healthy habit and another thing to live it out. It can be pretty difficult to live out a healthy habit if you don’t have access to the tools you need.

Committing to a healthy diet can be challenging if you live in a neighborhood that doesn’t have healthy and affordable food options nearby – these places are known as “food deserts.” Achieving healthy food habits can get even more challenging if you don’t have access to transportation that can get you to a healthy food source.

Healthier Neighbors , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative, is working to break down those barriers to healthy eating habits in the Northern West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach neighborhoods. In partnership with United Way , American Heart Association , and Trindy Gourmet , Healthier Neighbors is introducing the idea of a healthy corner store to residents.

The partnering organizations hosted two pop-up events at J.W. Corner Store in September, during which volunteer residents greeted visiting customers and asked a series of survey questions. The goal was to get information on the types of healthy foods residents would want available at the store. During the events, Trindy Gourmet provided healthy cooking demonstrations and free tastings. After gathering and analyzing information from the pop-up events, Healthier Neighbors, along with their partners, plan to launch a permanent “healthy food” section at the corner store.

“The hope is that, with resident involvement in this initiative and Healthier Neighbor’s help with marketing and cooking demonstrations, more residents will understand how delicious and easy eating healthy foods can be,” said Jeanette Marshall, Project Director of Healthier Neighbors.

In March of 2019, Healthier Neighbors presented a produce pop-up pantry that served 208 families and over 700 residents with fresh produce.

A Businesswoman with a Background in Nursing Gives Back

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 17:44:26 GMT

“Nursing prepared me for the role I have today as a business owner and entrepreneur by teaching me to take in lots of information, form an assessment and respond; thinking on my feet. Nursing built my confidence to function independently and assume responsibility, preparing me to be the take charge person I am today.”

The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund , established in 2018, helps students achieve their goal of becoming nurses in Palm Beach County, with a focus on helping nontraditional and second-career students. Local businesswoman Debra Howe, a former nurse herself, had this to say about the opportunity to establish a scholarship fund and “give back”:

“As a first-year student in nursing, circumstances presented themselves where I did not have the financial resources to continue. I discussed the situation with a trusted nursing instructor and within days I was notified my tuition and books had been paid in full by an anonymous donor. Then I was referred to the financial aid team; with their help I received grants, scholarships, loans and even a part time job. I can remember the overwhelming feeling of helplessness at possibly losing my dream, and the complete feeling of happiness and ability to focus once the financial burden had been resolved. I was moving forward, bettering myself and my family. I am now able to “give back”. Although I grew up and went to nursing school outside of Florida, I have considered Palm Beach home for more than 30 years and am proud to support future nurses pursue their goals.

Named giving funds allow you to establish a charitable giving fund during your lifetime, through your estate plan or both.

Contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship & Strategic Partnerships to explore the many ways to maximize your philanthropic giving through thoughtful gift planning.

CarrieB@phfpbc.org , 561-837-2281

Florida Blue Foundation Mental Health Grant Enables Palm Health Foundation to Impact Underserved Communities

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 12:36:32 GMT

Funding to Have Short- and Long-Term Benefits for Underserved

West Palm Beach, Fla. – The Florida Blue Foundation has awarded Palm Health Foundation a $238,218 four-year grant to implement Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in Palm Beach County’s underserved communities. The grant will fund MHFA training for 2,000 residents and create long-term, self-sustaining impact by certifying trainers in each community to provide ongoing multi-lingual mental health education. MHFA is a national program that teaches skills to respond to the signs of mental illness and substance use.

Palm Health Foundation will facilitate partnerships with Alpert Jewish Family Services, Palm Beach County’s MHFA coordinator, and the foundation’s Healthier Together communities in West Palm Beach/Riviera Beach, Lake Worth, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Belle Glade. The Palm Health-funded communities are a trusted network of health professionals and community members working together to solve complex health issues. They will provide an established platform for launching MHFA.

“Florida Blue Foundation is dedicated to providing residents and neighborhoods the skills to become more self-sufficient when it comes to their health care” said Florida Blue Foundation Vice President Susan Towler. “Our grant to Palm Health Foundation aligns so well with our mission to help people and communities achieve better health.”

The funding will target communities where the need is high, but the number of residents seeking help is low because of stigma and access to services. According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population, yet the majority don’t seek professional help. Research has found that many African Americans rely on faith, family and social communities for emotional support rather than turning to health care professionals, even though medical or therapeutic treatment may be necessary. Among Latinos, a 2001 Surgeon General’s report found that only 20 percent of Latinos with symptoms of a psychological disorder talk to a doctor about their concerns.

“Our network of Healthier Together communities is uniquely positioned to deliver Mental Health First Aid in ways that understand and respect each community’s culture and language and establish trust,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “By certifying MHFA trainers in each community, we are creating a sustainable solution to reach underserved community members and connect them to the appropriate care before a crisis can occur.

The Florida Blue Foundation grant helped Palm Health Foundation reach its $1 mllion Campaign for Better Brain Health goal 14 months ahead of schedule. The success of the campaign demonstrates the recognized need for more mental health support, which has claimed the top spot of Palm Beach County’s greatest unmet health needs for several years in a row.

"Thanks to the Florida Blue Foundation, we are answering the need for innovative solutions to improve our community's mental health," said McNamara.

Sources:

https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Diverse-Communities/African-American-Mental-Health

https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Diverse-Communities/Latino-Mental-Health

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. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $78 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit PalmHealthFoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Florida Blue Foundation

Florida Blue Foundation enables healthy communities by making grants, building coalitions and rewarding best practices. More than three million people in Florida have received direct health services as a result of grants made to nonprofit organizations since its founding in 2001. Florida Blue Foundation is a trade name of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.floridabluefoundation.com .

Healthier Lake Worth Cleans Up

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 20:27:40 GMT

Healthier Lake Worth launched in July of 2017 with a plan to tackle the root causes of behavioral health issues facing the residents of Lake Worth. In addition to strengthening resident connection to traditional health services and resources, Healthier Lake Worth planned to address neighborhood safety and strengthen race equity within the community. Now, a year into the initiative, Healthier Lake Worth has established a plan to “untrash” the streets of Lake Worth ; members of the initiative have organized a movement to pick up the trash that litters Lake Worth streets, and to begin a campaign that will engage residents in taking better care of their neighborhood.

So, what does picking up trash have to do with behavioral health? “Trash in the streets is a visible and basic measure of a neighborhoods health,” explains John Burns, Healthier Lake Worth member. “The trash may be symptomatic of larger ills but it’s an obvious place to start when trying to improve things.” In fact, a person’s health outcomes largely relate to the environment they live in – even more so than their genetic predispositions/family history. In a neighborhood covered in trash, residents don’t have access to safe, clean areas for recreational activities like walking, biking or playing, and their health, both mental and physical, suffers as a result.

“I’m a true believer in reducing, reusing and recycling for the environmental, aesthetic, social and economic benefits,” John says. “On the environmental side, the trash that’s in the street makes its way into the Intracoastal Waterway by way of the sewer system whenever it rains. If you walk the seawall in Bryant Park at low tide during or after a rainstorm, you will see the trash freely flowing into the waterway, where it degrades the natural environment, putting wildlife at risk and actually entering our food chain.”

Healthier Lake Worth has collectively picked up over 2,000 pounds of trash and isn’t planning on stopping. “Additional initiatives will likely involve locating additional trash and recycle cans in the neighborhoods, environmental and/or community pride messaging and engaging local residents to be more mindful of community cleanliness,” explains John. He urges folks to get involved in the effort. “No special skills are required to pick up a plastic bottle and put it in a recycle bin. No significant resources are expended disposing of a plastic bag. One needs only the will to make things a little better.”

If you would like to get involved in Healthier Lake Worth’s clean-up efforts, contact Project Director Carmelle Chapman at carmelle.lakeworth@htpbc.org.

"We know that where you live matters greatly to your health. In fact, how long and how well you live will have more to do with your zip code than with your DNA code." - CLICK TO READ MORE

palm-health-foundation

Humanizing Health: Removing Financial Barriers for Future Social Workers

Palm Health Foundation Announces New Board Leadership

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

Palm Health Foundation's 2025 Report to the Community

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

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

Christina Worley Joins Our Finance Committee

The Healthier PBC Endowment Fund

Healthier Glades Celebration

Meet Our New Fellow: Amy Ferguson

Train the Brain Campaign Connects All Ages and Communities

Cultivating Compassionate Leaders: PHF's Scholarship Reception

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

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

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

"Hold Fast to Dreams": Spotlighting Trustee Clovis Moodie

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

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

Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Naelys Luna

Inspiring Agents of Change

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

Love, Lessons, and The Movement

A Moment of Reflection from Outgoing BeWellPBC Executive Director Lauren Zuchman

Palm Health Foundation and Merrell Family Foundation Announce Bold Brain Health Philanthropy at the Home of Frances and Jeffrey Fisher

Palm Health Foundation Reveals Impact on Tackling Leading Health Challenges

When The Brain Coast Thrives, We All Benefit

CVS Health Foundation grants Palm Health Foundation $1 million as Part of its New Healthy Aging Initiative

What if I become ill? What if my loved one does? How will we manage?

Digital Vibez’ “Let’s Move” Campaign Expands to Year-Round Programming

Let’s Move Encourages at least 30 Minutes of Activity Daily for Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health

Healthier Glades Celebrates Six Years of “Unlocking Our Community Strengths” through Mini Grants

Together, We Can Lead Change for Better Health

Dear Change Leader,

Hospital Conversion Foundations are Connected to Community Needs

Article written for the Estate Planning Council's annual Estate Planning Supplement by Palm Health Foundation Philanthropy Committee member Chioma Deere, Esq.

Giving Tuesday 2024

Giving Tuesday is About Giving Chances to Someone Like Me.

Palm Health Foundation Scholarship Reception Filled with Gratitude

Palm Health Foundation and Partners Unveil The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida

Palm Beach County Visionaries to Unveil “Brain Coast” Vision During October’s Train the Brain Month

Palm Health Foundation Appoints New Community Investment Committee Members

A PHF Scholar Dedicated to Supporting her Hispanic Community

Building our Culture of Health Network

NeuroArts in Our Schools

Glades Senior Citizen Prom is a “Night to Remember”

The Cooke Family Fund Invests in a Brain Coast Vision

A Foundation for Growth

A Conversation with Palm Health Foundation Trustee Nathan E. Nason

Palm Health Foundation Appoints Ernest Dumenigo Accounting and Grants Coordinator

Salute to Nursing

Lisa Kirk Wiese, Ph.D., Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Dercas Caneus, BSN, Florida Atlantic University

Stephanie Kurzejewski, BSN, RN

“I get to pay forward what nurses have done for my family by ensuring my patients feel heard and truly cared for.”

"Mama Said, Daddy Did" Podcast Mini-Series Launch

"Mama Said, Daddy Did” is a 3-episode podcast mini-series that explores brain health wisdom passed down through generations and how we as a community can apply that wisdom into our daily practices for a healthier, more balanced life.

Youth Talent Explosion Dazzles Audience in Riviera Beach

Community Changemakers Fund Makes First Investment in Building a Culture of Health Network

Palm Health Foundation Welcomes Dr. Lisa Wiese to its Board of Trustees

Empower Healthcare Partners with Healthier Glades to Promote Heart Health in Pahokee

Palm Health Foundation Releases Annual Report

Palm Health Foundation Celebrates the Spirit of Philanthropy at Scholarship Reception

Dr. Marsha Fishbane Elected Palm Health Foundation Board Chair

At the Intersection of Code Compliance and Compassion

Honoring a Trustee with a Heart of Gold

Healthier Glades Awards $30,000 in “Mini-Grants” to Promote Behavioral Health

Funding puts the power of change in the hands of residents and nonprofit agencies. ﻿

Your Gift + Their Grit

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

Giving Tuesday 2023

Whose memory will you honor? Whose future will you change?

Our Story

Grantee Spotlight: Wellington Cares

Over 320 Attendees Engage with Arts to “Train Their Brains” Thanks to Palm Health Foundation and Partners

Palm Health Foundation Donors Take Aim on Building Local Health Care Workforce

Palm Health Foundation Appoints Heather DeStefano Director of Grants and Community Partnerships

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

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

Funding puts the power of change in the hands of residents and nonprofit agencies.

Palm Health Foundation to offer free events during its October 2023 Train the Brain campaign to show how creative and expressive art experiences can change the brain, body, and behavior, leading to better overall health.

Palm Beach County leaders will help guide foundation’s grantmaking and fundraising initiatives.

Funding puts the power of change in the hands of residents and nonprofit agencies.

Grant to support emerging local initiative linking brain health and the arts
that is already receiving national attention.

Foundation seeking donors to support low-income and first-generation
students striving to pursue nursing careers as shortages grow.

Foundation awards over $400,000 in scholarships for low-income and first-generation students striving to pursue nursing and behavioral health careers as economic challenges—and shortages—grow.