Health, Science, and Arts Philanthropists Hear from Best-Selling Author of “Your Brain on Art”

May 2, 2023

Palm Beach County’s leading philanthropists and advocates for health, science, and the arts came together on April 18, 2023 at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, FL, for an evening to celebrate the neuroarts and one of its worldwide leaders, Susan Magsamen, author of the New York Times bestselling book, “Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.” Palm Health Foundation  trustee and event chair Frances Fisher welcomed 65 guests to hear about Ms. Magasamen’s insights and exciting news on how Palm Health Foundation and partners are pioneering the neuroarts field in Palm Beach County with the goal to become a nationally recognized “Brain Coast.”

 

Mrs. Fisher, the evening’s host, opened the evening by welcoming guests inside the Cox Science Center’s Journey Through the Human Brain, the world’s most advanced neuroscience exhibit. It was the perfect setting for Ms. Magsamen to share the highlights of her book that tell the life-altering journey through the science of neuroaesthetics, which offers proof for how our brains and bodies transform when we participate in the arts, and how this knowledge can improve our health, enable us to flourish, and build stronger communities.

 

Ms. Magsamen spoke of the life-changing potential of the arts and how they are “accessible, immediate, and affordable.” She added that “there is an army out there” of artists, scientists, policy makers, practitioners, and others who are promoting the neuroarts, but are not connected. In her work as the founder and executive director of the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and as co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint, Ms. Magsamen is leading on a first-of-its-kind roadmap to move the field into widespread use by scaling up the research, training, and practice components. “The world is ripe for this,” Magsamen said.

 

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, agreed. Mr. McNamara shared how the foundation has convened the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches to form the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative to focus on identifying and mapping local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida. The NeuroArts Blueprint has chosen the collaborative as its first local Community Arts Coalition Partner.

 

“We have incredible assets right here in our backyard – world-class brain science institutions and robust cultural assets that are already participating in the neuroarts,” Mr. McNamara said. “Isn’t it time that we brought these powerful forces together to promote healing and flourishing in our community?”

 

The crowd burst into applause as Mr. McNamara announced, “Palm Health Foundation will match, dollar-for-dollar, all gifts to The NeuroArts Fund up to a total of $100,000! Building the field of neuroarts will positively impact and bring about solutions for better mental health, including our youth mental health crisis, and healing pathways for neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.”

 

Mr. McNamara thanked the Merrell Family Foundation for pledging support for a neuroarts fellowship, and Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Fisher Cummings for their contributions to launch The NeuroArts Fund matching gift campaign.

 

Guests left the evening with a copy of Ms. Magsamen’s book and a feeling of inspiration for Palm Beach County’s potential to become the national leader in neuroarts. “The power of the arts and its ability to positively impact brain health, and our overall wellbeing, is undeniable,” Mrs. Fisher said.

 

Joining Mrs. Fisher on the event’s host committee were:

 

  • Randy Blakely, Ph.D., Executive Director, FAU Stiles Nicholson Brain Institute
  • Bill Bone, Trial Lawyer, Larmoyeux & Bone
  • Julie Fisher Cummings, MSSW, Co-founder and Chairman, Lovelight Foundation
  • Steve & Beth Elgort, Founders, Mind, Music and Movement Foundation
  • John Lacy, CPWA, Wealth Management Advisor, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
  • Dave Lawrence, President & CEO, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
  • Joyce & Dusty Sang, Founders, Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation

 

Guests included: Palm Beach County Mayor Gregg Weiss; LeeAnne Nicolson LaBanz and Joe LeBanz, Stiles Nicholson Foundation; Jeffrey Fisher; Andrea Camp, NeuroArts Blueprint; Beth Elgort, CEO, and Trustees Dr. Julie Pilitsis and Anne Sternlicht, Mind, Music and Movement Foundation; Margaret Horgan, Managing Director and Trustees Sarah and Tim Benitz, Patricia Izbicki Karyn Lamb, Cynthia Sulzberger, Ethel Isaacs Williams, and Mieke van Waveren, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens; Christine Koehn, Ilene Solomon Silber, Marsha Fishbane and Nat Nason, Palm Health Foundation Trustees, DeAnna Pledger, Philanthropy Committee Member, Inger Harvey and Greg Quattlebaum, Community Investment Committee Members; John and Egle McNamara; Peter Cruise; Ann Berner; Jill Merrell, Merrell Family Foundation; Kate Arrizza, CEO, Marcy Hoffman, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and Board Members Wendy Bingham Cox, Katharine Eyre, Mary Freitas, and Carter Pottash, Cox Science Center & Aquarium; Dan and Denise Hanley, Gunster; Dr. Ivan Baines and Dr. McLean Bolton, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience; Kathleen Alex, CFO/COO, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County  


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 $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

April 23, 2025
A conversation with Naelys Luna, PhD, MSW, Palm Health Foundation Trustee
April 23, 2025
Palm Health Foundation supports BeWellPBC, a county-wide behavioral health initiative. After 10 years of leading community change through Healthier Delray Beach and BeWellPBC, Lauren Zuchman will bring her passion to a new chief officer role in Palm Beach County with continued reinforcement of community at the forefront.
April 16, 2025
Gifts will benefit The Center for The Resilient Mind at Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute
April 16, 2025
Palm Health Foundation , Palm Beach County’s leading community foundation for health, has released its 2024 Report to the Community , “From Strategy to Impact: Cultivating Thriving Communities.” Dynamic storytelling, supported by video and podcast links, showcases how the foundation’s $2.7 million in grant investments for 2024 addressed the county’s most pressing health challenges. Advancing brain health . According to the Dana Foundation , more than 8 in 10 Americans are affected by brain health issues. Palm Health Foundation’s investments through its Brain Health Innovation Fund continued to build a growing brain health network—from community-based solutions transforming behavioral health access and support for families and youth through BeWellPBC , to advancing science-based collaboration through the Brain Coast Alliance and the Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative . Strengthening the health professions . There are 510 individuals for every one behavioral health practitioner and over 16,000 nursing vacancies in the State of Florida. Thanks to an outpouring of donor support, Palm Health Foundation awarded $687,000 in needs-based scholarships to 73 nursing and behavioral health students at local universities pursuing degrees to fill significant gaps in access to care across Palm Beach County. Many scholars come from diverse backgrounds and will have the competencies proven to improve patient health outcomes, satisfaction, and the overall quality of care. Activated, healthy, resilient communities . More attention has been given nationwide to the vital conditions —factors like access to quality housing, stable employment, healthy food, and safe communities—and their potential to contribute to health disparities. In 2024, Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Lake Worth Beach initiative created impact by relieving the stress of code compliance among 55+ residents in vulnerable communities by collaborating with city government through the Neighborhood Health/Code Compliance Curb Appeal project . Recognizing homeowners’ inability to correct code violations due to health or aging, the project engaged volunteers to provide home repairs and improvements, relieving residents of violations and improving their quality of life. Palm Health Foundation also joined with fellow funders during the year to award 21 Community Changemakers Fund grants, seeding and supporting a network of individuals, organizations, and businesses with ideas to benefit resident health through enhancing vital conditions across Palm Beach County. Palm Health Foundation president and CEO, Patrick McNamara, sees how the foundation’s innovative approach to long-term health solutions through community collaboration is paying dividends. “Since evolving our strategy from short-term grant-making to systems change and generational transformation in partnership with community and our donors, we have better recognized—and invested in—the incredible people and ideas for building a thriving community,” McNamara said. “At the same time, we are strengthening our entire health network through scholarships and game-changing collectives, like the Brain Coast Alliance. Our efforts are creating connections between philanthropists seeking breakthrough health solutions and the people who are leading the way for a healthier Palm Beach County.” ### 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 $95 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333. 
April 11, 2025
The Palm Beach Post’s November 12, 2024, article, “ How South Florida aims to become capital of neurological research and treatment ,” introduced readers to a historic collaboration among six esteemed institutions who have formed an alliance to position our region as the “Brain Coast.” As more attention is placed on health and science research spending at a national level, the Brain Coast Alliance is shining a light on the significant discoveries and economic benefits that we all enjoy because our community is united in support of scientific innovation in our own backyard. Our local investments have had a profound global impact, especially in the area of brain science. This is vitally important to all of us, because when the brain thrives, every aspect of our being benefits. When the Brain Coast thrives, every aspect of our region stands to benefit. The brain health discoveries originating in Palm Beach County, FL, where Brain Coast founding members, the Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute (FAU), The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) reside, reflect the life’s work of hundreds of scientists working together to illuminate the awesome complexity of the human brain. Their ultimate goal is to find better treatments and even cures for some of humanity’s most challenging brain diseases and disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, and developmental difficulties such as autism and sensory processing disorders. Together, these brain conditions affect more than eight in 10 Americans and their ability to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Life science discoveries and development affect the health of our local economy as well, providing over 7,500 jobs and contributing $1.6 billion total gross regional product , according to the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. This local industry is also a driving force for growth. MPFI has attracted scientific investment through a partnership with microscopy manufacturer Abberior Instruments, who moved their US headquarters to Jupiter, FL, in 2017, where recently ZEISS opened a new advanced microscopy training center. Similarly, FAU’s multi-campus partnership with Nikon Instruments, has garnered a designation as a Nikon Center of Excellence , one of only 17 in the Americas and 1 of 32 worldwide. Additionally, Wertheim UF Scripps Institute researchers have established companies in Jupiter that are attracting millions in outside investment while they advance possible treatments for forms of muscular dystrophy, ALS, and glioblastoma. Building upon strengths, Florida Atlantic, home to five inductees into the National Academy of Inventors, oversees a thriving Tech Runway and Research Park , promoting the development of diagnostics and treatments for brain disorders, among others. With professional opportunities and investment come advanced educational opportunities to boost STEM appreciation and careers, creating a dynamic ecosystem where schools benefit from enhanced educational resources, career opportunities, and community collaboration, all bringing the vision for a thriving Brain Coast to life. Beyond local impact, Brain Coast Alliance partners are fueling America’s research pipeline, ensuring that our country is—and stays—at the forefront in the development of life-changing medications and therapies. Palm Beach County’s research institutes’ list of discoveries is inspiring and supports Florida’s public health priorities , including addressing chronic health conditions, understanding the neural basis of addiction, treating mental health conditions, and understanding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Did you know, for example, that the genetics of forgetting were uncovered in Jupiter? Other examples of Brain Coast Alliance researchers’ worldwide impact on some of the most debilitating diseases and conditions include: At FAU, Erik Engeberg, Ph.D., is exploring two-way communication between the brain and robotic devices , where an artificial limb would respond to brain signals for movements, and Ning Quan, Ph.D., has discovered novel healthy roles for inflammatory immune molecules in the brain that may one day lead to novel neuroprotective medications. At The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Laura Bohn, Ph.D., has shown that dangerous and unwanted side effects of pain medications, including respiratory suppression and itching, can be minimized with next-generation medications now in development. Meanwhile, Matthew D. Disney, Ph.D., has discovered a potential medication for Parkinson’s that disables the toxic RNA driving the disease. At MPFI, Vidhya Rangaraju, Ph.D., is conducting research that could allow for earlier diagnosis and intervention of ALS, and Sarah Stern, Ph.D., is helping to uncover how the brain processes information related to hunger, thirst and stress, that could unlock new treatments for obesity, eating disorders, and other psychiatric conditions. We look forward to maintaining the momentum on life-changing research that impacts our region and our world. Science is a vital pillar of our economy, one that enhances everyone’s health and wellbeing. To learn more about how you can champion science and support this vital work, visit Palm Health Foundation’s website . Signed, Patrick J. McNamara , President and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, on behalf of the Brain Coast Alliance : Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Palm Health Foundation, Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, and the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network
January 29, 2025
What if I become ill? What if my loved one does? How will we manage?
January 29, 2025
Let’s Move Encourages at least 30 Minutes of Activity Daily for Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health
January 29, 2025
Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative, proudly marked six years of empowering the Glades community through its Mini Grant Program with the recent announcement of four grant awards to recipients in Belle Glade and Canal Point, Florida. Through the Mini Grant Program, Healthier Glades invests in promising programs to promote health, wellness, and youth engagement. The initiative has awarded over $140,000 in mini grants to 52 residents and organizations fostering lasting community impact since 2019. The four innovative grants exemplify Healthier Glades’ ability to unlock community strengths by elevating and investing in the ideas that the community believes hold the most promise to change lives and the narrative around mental health. “The programs highlight the creativity, passion, and dedication of Glades’ community members,” said Annie Ifill, Director, Healthier Glades. Mini grant recipients began program implementation on January 1, 2025. Mini Grant Recipients
January 3, 2025
Mark Twain wrote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” I realized many years ago that the lessons I learn may be for me alone in the moment, but they are not mine to hoard—they are to be shared with others.
December 20, 2024
Hospital conversion foundations are unique and powerful forces in advancing community health. These charitable organizations are born when non-profit hospitals are sold and converted to for-profit entities. A foundation is then established from the proceeds of the sale or “conversion.”
More Posts