Palm Health Foundation Celebrates the Spirit of Philanthropy at Scholarship Reception

February 8, 2024

Palm Health Foundation’s Scholarship Reception on January 24, 2024, brought together nursing and behavioral health scholars with their donors for an inspiring evening at the stunning Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach, FL. Over 150 guests attended the event to celebrate 73 scholars and the spirit of philanthropy that resulted in $687,000 in awarded scholarships to support the future careers of aspiring South Florida health professionals. Frances Fisher generously underwrote the reception at ANSG where she serves as chairwoman.


An unprecedented number of donors contributed to Palm Health Foundation’s scholarship funds in 2023, including a pivotal $400,000 contribution from the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (SEFBHN). Dr. Marsha Fishbane, Palm Health Foundation board chair, noted the significance of the scholarship program to Palm Beach County. “Through our support of the nursing and behavioral health professions, we are ensuring that our residents receive the person-centered care they need and deserve.”



One of the evening’s highlights included foundation trustee Dr. Christine Koehn sharing why she and her husband Rich decided to create The Koehn Family Fund for behavioral health and nursing scholarships.  “We know that there aren’t enough behavioral health and nursing professionals in the field,” she said. “After hearing the scholars’ stories of the financial barriers they face and the heart they want to give, we knew we wanted to help.”

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Several other scholarship donor advised funds were recognized at the event, including The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund, The Alonso Family Neighborhood Healthcare Fund, The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund, The Charles Norton Adams Nursing Endowment Scholarship Fund, Diamond Hill Capital Management, The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Fund, The Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund, The Peter & Elinka Ordway Nursing Scholarship Fund, The Solomon Silber Children and Families Fund, and The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund. Nursing scholarships were also provided by the Palm Health Foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund and a donation from Valley National Bank. The foundation’s behavioral health professions scholarship funding was provided by the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, The Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions at Palm Health Foundation, and donor advised funds, including The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund, The John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund, and The Mike McNamara Scholarship Fund.


Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation, closed the evening by thanking all for their contributions. “To our scholars, you are here because you have demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a true desire to serve your neighbors,” he said. “To our donors, thank you for playing a significant role in developing these professionals for the betterment of our community’s health.”


Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $4.6 million in health professions scholarships since its founding in 2001. Scholarships are administered by the George Snow Scholarship Fund and encourage individuals with financial need to enter and advance in the nursing and mental/behavioral health professions. For information about donating or creating a scholarship fund, please contact Carrie Browne, director of stewardship and strategic partnerships, (561) 837-2281, carrieb@phfpbc.org, or visit palmhealthfoundation.org/for-donors.




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.

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