Chioma Deere, Esq., a Florida attorney and member of the Philanthropy Committee at Palm Health Foundation, is passionate about helping individuals and families leave a legacy of health and wellbeing through strategic philanthropy. As the founder of The Deere Law Firm in West Palm Beach, she assists clients with estate planning, probate, and charitable giving. Deere-Law.com
Hospital Conversion Foundations are Connected to Community Needs
December 20, 2024
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.
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Palm Health Foundation hosted an educational session for the Palm Beach County Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Healthcare Council , themed, “Brain Health Across the Lifespan.” This council serves as a countywide collaborative focused on improving health outcomes through shared priorities, cross-sector partnership, and coordinated action. Our brain health-focused session spotlighted how the Brain Coast Vision is translating brain science into practice through workforce development , shared learning , and community partnerships . Session presenters included: Patrick McNamara, LCSW, President and CEO, Palm Health Foundation Bama Lutes Deal, PhD, Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative Deborah Germain, MPH, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Last year, Palm Health Foundation supported a cohort from our Culture of Health Network to attend the Help Conference , a regional event focused on health equity through plant-forward initiatives to improve the lives of those living with diet related diseases. Attendees included representatives from American Heart Association , Healthier Boynton Beach , and Healthier Glades . This opportunity strengthened relationships between local organizations committed to health equity and provided invaluable learning.
This month, Palm Health Foundation convened 11 initiatives from across the Culture of Health Network for a full day focused on leadership, relationship building and community change efforts. The gathering was designed to strengthen local leadership structures while also creating space to learn across communities and initiatives. Participants explored how to build lasting change using the resources and relationships already present within our communities. This was a wonderful opportunity to see who is “with us” in the shared effort to lead change for better health across Palm Beach County.
Palm Health Foundation is proud to have Dr. Naelys Luna, founding dean and professor at the FAU College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, on our esteemed Board of Trustees. Dr. Luna’s journey to her current position as leader, advocate, and educator is beyond inspiring, from political persecution in Cuba to becoming nationally recognized for her impact on the field of social work and higher education. Her story is a reminder of the power of hope, education, and resilience:
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:
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.
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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.
