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