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

July 25, 2022

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.

“Nursing and behavioral health shortages existed before the pandemic, and now have become more extreme,” said McNamara. “As a community foundation for health, we believe it our responsibility to strengthen the professions that are critically important to our system of care. We invite donors to join with us in leading change for better health.”


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, The B.J. and Paula Harris Scholarship Fund, The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund, The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Fund, The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement 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.


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

January 27, 2026
Healthier Boynton Beach, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, recently celebrated the unwavering dedication of family caregivers at its 9th Annual Caregivers Recognition Luncheon at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. More than 150 guests gathered for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and joy. "Caring Hearts & Strong Hands – Celebrating the Love and Dedication of Family Caregivers," honored 130 family caregivers during a celebration that featured laughter, music, and meaningful moments, giving caregivers a well-deserved respite from their daily responsibilities. Montre Bennett opened the program with a mindfulness moment, followed by Boynton Beach Mayor Rebecca Shelton’s heartfelt welcome and personal caregiving story. Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay delivered the invocation before lunch, then handed the microphone to event host Rod-Z, who entertained guests with comedy, songs, and dancing. The JSharp Band provided outstanding live music that had caregivers on their feet throughout the afternoon.  Highlights of the event included keynote speaker Charlotte Wright’s moving message acknowledging the challenges and profound rewards of family caregivers’ service, and the presentation of the prestigious Caregiver Award to Angela T. Williams of Delray Beach, recognizing her extraordinary dedication and selfless service to her husband.

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

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.

Christina Worley Joins Our Finance Committee

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The Healthier PBC Endowment Fund

November 26, 2025
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.

Healthier Glades Celebration

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.

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Train the Brain Campaign Connects All Ages and 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.

Cultivating Compassionate Leaders: PHF's Scholarship Reception

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.

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

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