Palm Health Foundation Donors Honor Nursing and Behavioral Health Professions Scholarship Recipients

November 24, 2021

On November 2, 2021, Palm Health Foundation donors came together to honor the foundation’s 2021 nursing and behavioral health professions scholarship recipients at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach, FL. The event was an opportunity for scholarship recipients to be recognized for their commitment to their professions and to meet the donors supporting their education and career advancement. The 2021 scholarship program invested $424,188 in 62 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs at South Florida universities. Frances Fisher, who generously created The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation where she serves as a board member and philanthropy committee chair, underwrote the scholarship reception at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens where she serves as chairwoman.


Mrs. Fisher opened the program by welcoming the 113 guests to the Gardens and recognizing the care and compassion the scholars will bring to their patients throughout their careers. Denise Bober, Palm Health Foundation board chair and The Breakers Senior Vice President, Human Resources, told her family’s poignant personal story about establishing The Sutton Kailey Nursing Advancement Fund. Named for her granddaughters, born just 24 weeks into her daughter Melissa’s pregnancy, the fund “honors our precious miracle Sutton and memorializes her angel sister Kailey,” Bober said. “Our little Kailey shined her presence on this earth for a mere 24 hours when God called her to come to Heaven. Baby Sutton remained brave and strong, survived heart surgery and spent 111 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before we were able to take her home. To this day we are overwhelmed with gratitude and want to ensure that other families have the same nurturing, quality care when they need it most.”

Bober went on to recognize the 2021 scholars and their donors, including Frances Fisher, Pam Gladstone and Elizabeth Rosenthal representing the B.J. & Paula Harris Fund Scholars, and Jill Merrell and the 2021 John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund. Scholars also received awards from several funds at Palm Health Foundation, including: The Andrew P. Barowsky Scholarship Fund; The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund; The Charles Norton Adams Nursing Endowment Fund; The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Scholarship Fund; The Joseph Dolce Surgical Nursing Scholarship Fund; The Peter and Elinka Ordway Nursing Scholarship Fund; and The Palm Health Foundation Nursing Advancement Fund.


Recognizing the enormous challenge the scholars have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO, Patrick McNamara, saluted the students. “You are here because you’ve demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a true desire to serve your neighbors through this pandemic and beyond,” he said. “Palm Health Foundation is proud to support, honor and uplift you as you continue your journey.”


Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3.5 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001 and recently expanded its scholarships to include the behavioral health field. The 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 more information, please visit  www.scholarship.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. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Christina Worley Joins Our Finance Committee

December 9, 2025

The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund

November 26, 2025
The 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