A Foundation for Growth

July 26, 2024

A Conversation with Palm Health Foundation Trustee Nathan E. Nason

Nathan E. "Nat" Nason, of counsel at Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero P.A., has seen a lot of growth and change in Palm Beach County over the last six decades. He remembers when Singer Island’s highest building was only four stories tall, and the Colonnades Beach Hotel owned by billionaire John D. McArthur in Palm Beach Shores was the “it” place to be. He’s had a front-row seat to growth in his career as well. As the eighth employee to join his father's former law firm in 1985, the firm has now grown to four offices in Florida and 48 attorneys. When Nat was elected to Palm Health Foundation’s board of trustees in 2017, he saw it as an opportunity to expand his personal impact on a county—and a philanthropic organization—on the move. 


Q: What drew you to the foundation?


A: Civic engagement and giving back to my community are important to me. I was born at St. Mary’s Hospital and my mom and dad had roots in the Glades. I’ve always been involved with organizations that have a significant influence in guiding the county’s development, including the West Palm Beach Rotary Club in my early career where I was president, and the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, where I worked my way up to chair. Philippe Jeck, a fellow chamber member and Palm Health Foundation trustee, asked me if I would be interested in replacing him to fill the foundation’s need for an attorney on the board. I knew if Philippe was involved, it had to be a good organization. I joined the board at the same time Patrick McNamara was hired as president and CEO. We went through a learning process together and the more I got involved, the more I realized all the good the foundation was doing. 


Q: What are some examples of the foundation’s impact that have been particularly meaningful to you?


A: The foundation’s Healthier Together initiative is a model that could be replicated in areas of need. It’s a grassroots movement that aims to—and does—provide better health outcomes to underserved communities. It’s also an example of how the foundation is partnering with residents and other players in the Palm Beach County community. We provide resources and they provide knowledge to direct where those resources need to go. BeWellPBC is another example of that model in mental health and wellness, an area where the foundation is making significant investments. Who among us hasn’t been touched in some way by a mental health situation? We’ve made brain health outcomes one of the legs of the foundation’s stool. It’s a focus area that resonates with the community and is very much needed.

Q: Why is brain health important to you?


A: I have family members who have been affected by neurodegenerative diseases and drug addiction. Many of us do. It’s touched me on a personal level. And when you see people struggling on the streets, or you talk to Sherriff Bradshaw, you realize it is a pervasive problem. I can’t close my eyes to it. It’s there. The vision Patrick has for Palm Beach County becoming a “Brain Coast,” and our partnerships with FAU Brain Institute, Max Planck, and others, plus our investments in mental/behavioral health professions scholarships and fellowships are what’s needed to get the ball rolling. 



Three Fun Facts About Nat Nason:

1 He’s played guitar for over 50 years. In college, his band was called “Nat and the Insects.”
2 Competitive sailfishing is his favorite sport. One of his fiercest competitors is Michael Jordan’s boat, Catch 23.
3 He’s a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School, Florida State University, and Duke University Law School.

Q: How have you seen Palm Health Foundation grow?

 

A: When I first joined, it was one of the best-kept secrets in the Palm Beach County philanthropic community. Now, our mission and what we do are beginning to resonate with the community and our story is being told. It’s like a snowball getting bigger as it rolls downhill. People are giving their time, joining committees, and donating because what we’re doing is good stuff.

Christina Worley Joins Our Finance Committee

December 9, 2025

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.

Meet Our New Fellow: Amy Ferguson

November 21, 2025

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

August 27, 2025
Community campaign to highlight brain health at every stage of life, aiming to boost resilience and prevent neurological issues. 

Healthier Glades Launches Free Five-Week Mini Grant Workshop Series

August 21, 2025
Applicants must attend at least one workshop to be eligible for Healthier Glades 2026 mini grants. 

"Hold Fast to Dreams": Spotlighting Trustee Clovis Moodie

July 29, 2025
With wisdom shaped by lived experience, Clovis speaks to the power of education, caregiving, and holding fast to dreams—even in the face of adversity – in this heartfelt reflection. Clovis is a shining example of resident leadership, and Palm Health Foundation is proud to partner with her in building a stronger, healthier Palm Beach County.

Healthier Glades Brings Chair Yoga to Local Residents Through Let’s Move 365 Initiative

July 10, 2025
Classes scheduled to resume August 5, 2025