Palm Health Foundation and Partners Unveil The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida

November 22, 2024

Palm Health Foundation marked its eighth annual Train the Brain community health campaign during October 2024 with the unveiling of a significant collaborative initiative. On October 24, 2024, over 95 guests gathered at the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University for the launch of The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida, an aspiration endorsed by six Palm Beach County brain health and science visionaries who believe that shared vision, determination, science, education, collaboration, and investment can transform a region and change the world.


The launch partners included:

 

  • Palm Health Foundation
  • Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University
  • Stiles-Nicholson Foundation
  • The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology
  • Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
  • Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network


Many more have committed to advancing this exciting vision with imagination, curiosity, and desire to push the boundaries of brain science and its promise. 


Guests at the event were eager to learn about the vision for The Brain Coast, which partners compare to President John F. Kennedy's ambitious goals for American space exploration that accelerated Florida's Space Coast. Evening highlights included ambitious initiatives demonstrating The Brain Coast Vision’s promise and the inspirational journeys that led local scientists, including Palm Health Foundation Computational Brain Science and Health Graduate Fellows, to dedicate their lives to advancing treatment for brain disorders as varied as depression, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and more. 


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The Brain Coast partners aim to accelerate innovation in diagnosing, treating, and curing neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and other brain conditions that affect 8 to 10 Americans according to the Dana Foundation and Research America. All have signed a Brain Coast vision statement, committing to three pillars:


  • 1: Deepening Brain Science, Education, and Resiliency Through Research
  • 2: Engaging the Community
  • 3: Spurring Innovation to Improve Brain Health, Mental Health, and Community Resilience


Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, spoke at the event, sharing with guests, “the Brain Coast is more than a sum of its parts. Many initiatives advancing The Brain Coast Vision are already underway—from creating education-to-career pipeline for STEAM students to residents participating in neuroscience research—setting the course for the massive potential that lies ahead.”


McNamara unveiled the next step for the Brain Coast: forming the Brain Coast Alliance, extending to Miami and enlisting other key partners. Ideas to propel the alliance forward include working collectively to showcase existing talent, efforts and successes of the South Florida brain science and health community; attracting talent to transform brain research and education, leading to regenerative economic growth; and investing in the future of brain health by steering federal, state, regional and private investments to ensure translation of advances in brain science and health for citizens of the Brain Coast and beyond.


“Through the Brain Coast Vision and Alliance, students, researchers, scientists, health professionals, funders, nonprofits, and residents are coming together across South Florida to transform brain health in our local community and around the world,” McNamara said.


Notable attendees at the event included: Dr. Marsha Fishbane, Palm Health Foundation Board Chair; Dr. Randy Blakely, Executive Director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; David J. S. Nicholson, Chairman & Founder, Stiles Nicholson Foundation; LeeAnne LaBanz, Trustee, Stiles Nicholson Foundation; Dr. McLean Bolton, Research Group Leader, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience; Dr. Baoji Xu, Professor, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology; Dr. Michael Dobbs, Chair of the Clinical Neurosciences Department, Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University; Dr. Nicole Baganz, Director of Community Engagement and Programming, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; and Darcy Davis, CEO, Health Care District of 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 $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.


About Train the Brain

Train the Brain is a community health campaign annually presented by Palm Health Foundation throughout the month of October. The campaign goal is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. With information and resources provided, participants are encouraged to make changes in their thinking about mental health conditions and integrate brain healthy habits and self-care behaviors into their daily routines. PalmHealthFoundation.org/train-the-brain

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