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.

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.

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.

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

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.org