Investing in a Culture of Health for All

September 28, 2023

A conversation with Mark Elhilow, Palm Health Foundation Trustee

From paying bills and making payroll disbursements for his grandparent’s dairy business as a youth to becoming managing principal at Blue Ocean Capital, third-generation Palm Beach County native Mark Elhilow has watched his community grow and change. His father, Vince, encouraged him to always take care of the place he calls home by giving back and volunteering, gifts he has bestowed on Palm Health Foundation since he became a trustee in 2018. Mark shares how the foundation is building a culture of health across the county he loves so much and why others should invest in the quality of life for all:


Q: Why is PHF’s work to build a culture of health important to you?


A: When you live somewhere your whole life, you see how the community has evolved and how it's changed. As Palm Beach County’s population has grown over the years, so has the number of people without access to sustainable healthcare resources. This has increasingly deteriorated the quality of life for so many sectors of our community and their family’s ability to thrive. PHF is taking a comprehensive view of how health and wellness are affected by everything—from what people eat to access to information—and making great strides in creating awareness, education, and opportunity for the underserved parts of the community.

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 FundWhat 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.

Give Now
January 27, 2026
Healthier Boynton Beach, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, recently celebrated the unwavering dedication of family caregivers at its 9th Annual Caregivers Recognition Luncheon at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. More than 150 guests gathered for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and joy. "Caring Hearts & Strong Hands – Celebrating the Love and Dedication of Family Caregivers," honored 130 family caregivers during a celebration that featured laughter, music, and meaningful moments, giving caregivers a well-deserved respite from their daily responsibilities. Montre Bennett opened the program with a mindfulness moment, followed by Boynton Beach Mayor Rebecca Shelton’s heartfelt welcome and personal caregiving story. Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay delivered the invocation before lunch, then handed the microphone to event host Rod-Z, who entertained guests with comedy, songs, and dancing. The JSharp Band provided outstanding live music that had caregivers on their feet throughout the afternoon.  Highlights of the event included keynote speaker Charlotte Wright’s moving message acknowledging the challenges and profound rewards of family caregivers’ service, and the presentation of the prestigious Caregiver Award to Angela T. Williams of Delray Beach, recognizing her extraordinary dedication and selfless service to her husband.
January 27, 2026
Thanks to a grant from Palm Health Foundation , The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach recently hosted a Day of Wellness for Palm Beach County School District Behavioral Health Professionals, who dedicate their lives to providing behavioral and mental health services to students. Seventy frontline mental health staff enjoyed a day of reflection, relaxation, rejuvenation, self-care, and professional development. The Day of Wellness was created in recognition of professionals’ deep commitment to the county’s youth and the emotional toll of the high-impact services they provide as challenges among school-age children continue to rise. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health , between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed depression among 12–17-year-olds increased by 45 percent, and diagnosed anxiety increased by 61 percent.  Set amidst ANSG’s beautiful and peaceful landscape of the sculpture gardens and the historic, inspirational Artist Studio, the program featured a series of therapeutic experiences led by local expert facilitators, including Creating a Garden of Gratitude and Hope, a therapeutic experience blending visual arts with personal reflections by Tiffany Mitchell and Amy Case of Rhythms of Hope, and Music for Mindfulness and Intention led by Bree Lukosavich. Participants also enjoyed creating a watercolor mindscape with art therapist Alicia Ballestas, exploring self-care with Shabrae Jackson, joining in a pollinator planting activity with ANSG Master Gardener CJ McCartney, and closing the day with a drumming circle led by Abasi Hanif.
November 26, 2025
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.
November 21, 2025
This fall, Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative , hosted a celebration event with community and partners to honor the resident-led work accomplished over the years of the initiative’s existence. In addition to food and fellowship, attendees shared aspirations for the initiative’s future and reflected on highlights, such as: The impact of Healthier Glades’ mini grants offerings Reduction of youth violence through collaborations with the “Dads on Duty” initiative The air quality initiative spearheaded in partnership with PHF Trustee Dr. Lisa Wiese The Safety Walk – an effort to identify unsafe areas on children’s walk-to-school routes, leading to the establishment of flashing lights in critical areas Resident connection to Mental Health First Aid training , strengthening the recognition that mental health is health Palm Health Foundation is honored to be part of the work that continues to advance health in the Glades communities.
November 21, 2025
Palm Health Foundation ’s October 2025 Train the Brain community health campaign, themed “Brain Health Across the Lifespan,” offered opportunities all month long, drawing nearly 300 community members to connect with local brain health champions, access practical, science-backed information, and take meaningful steps to support brain health for themselves, their families, and their neighbors – at every age and stage of life. Train the Brain inspired local organizational collaborations from Belle Glade to Boynton Beach to offer a range of community programs to help residents of all ages recognize that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. At “Arts on the Muck,” Glades community elders engaged in arts activities, memory boosting games, music, and movement during a football-themed afternoon. The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum joined with The Center for Child Counseling to bring the brain-boosting benefits of yoga, art making, and music to children, while their parents and caregivers learned practical, science-based tips to support brain health and emotional well-being at home.  “Collaborations such as these create partnership opportunities though which we can further strengthen our communities,” said Ljubica Ciric, Senior Director of Strategic Impact, Center for Child Counseling.
November 21, 2025
Palm Health Foundation ’s Scholarship Reception on October 28, 2025, brought together nursing and behavioral health scholars with their donors for an inspiring evening at The Center for Philanthropy in West Palm Beach, FL. Over 90 guests gathered in the center’s tropical courtyard to celebrate 62 scholarship recipients, with musical entertainment provided by orchestra students from Grace Notes Music Foundation . Together with donors, Palm Health Foundation has awarded more than $4.6 million in health professions scholarships since 2001.  Gratitude flowed throughout the evening as scholars met their scholarship donors—many for the first time—and two former recipients shared their personal stories of overcoming barriers to continue their education and become health professions leaders thanks to The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation. Dr. Alice Brumley spoke about how her scholarship supported her through the challenges of nursing during the pandemic. “More than financial support, it was knowing that someone believed in me, and my community was supporting me,” she said. Today, Dr. Brumley serves as Interim Director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at FAU, leading compassionate, community-centered care for individuals and families affected by memory disorders.
August 27, 2025
Community campaign to highlight brain health at every stage of life, aiming to boost resilience and prevent neurological issues. 
August 21, 2025
Applicants must attend at least one workshop to be eligible for Healthier Glades 2026 mini grants.