Press Releases

Gifts will benefit The Center for The Resilient Mind at Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

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. 

What if I become ill? What if my loved one does? How will we manage?

Let’s Move Encourages at least 30 Minutes of Activity Daily for Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health

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

Palm Health Foundation ’s Scholarship Reception on November 2, 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 190 guests attended the event to celebrate 92 scholarship recipients, the largest group of scholars in the history of the foundation due to a generous gift from Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (SEFBHN). Frances Fisher generously underwrote the reception at ANSG where she serves as chairwoman. ANSG’s natural gardens and monumental sculptures served as the perfect setting for scholars and their donors to meet each other, all expressing gratitude. Guests and donors thanked the scholars for their dedication to the healthcare workforce of South Florida, and scholars thanked donors for their generosity that enabled them to continue their education. “The scholarship recipients here tonight are not only the future of South Florida’s healthcare system, but also the heart and soul of our community,” said Fisher. “I am inspired by their dedication, and I am grateful to our donors who are helping to shape a brighter, healthier future for all.” The $530,000 awarded in needs-based scholarship funds will help address significant shortages in the nursing and behavioral health care workforce. Donor funding will also help humanize health by advancing the careers of healthcare professionals with lived experience and cultural competencies to serve South Florida’s diverse population, a need echoed by Abigail Goodwin, executive vice president of Palm Health Foundation, in her address to scholars. “Your ability to bridge languages and cultures is critical to providing quality care for our dynamic South Florida communities, making our entire region healthier and stronger,” Goodwin said. “You are here today because you’ve demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a true desire to serve your neighbors. Palm Health Foundation is proud to support, honor, and uplift you as you continue your journey.” Goodwin closed the event by announcing another gratitude opportunity to donors. From December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, Palm Health Foundation is matching every donation to The Nursing Advancement Fund and all nursing scholarship funds—dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000. Palm Health Foundation nursing scholarships support students with financial need in LPN, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs in Palm Beach County. “Through our charitable funds and with the collaboration of donors, residents, and partners, we are building a culture of health for all in our community,” said Dr. Marsha Fishbane, chair of the Palm Health Foundation Board of Trustees. Notable attendees at the event included: Frances Fisher, PHF Trustee and scholarship fund holder; Dr. Marsha Fishbane, Palm Health Foundation chair, and trustees Dr. Naelys Luna, Barbara James, Clovis Moodie, and Nathan Nason; scholarship fund holders Debra Coffman Howe, Ann Berner, Dr. Alina Alonso, Denise Bober, and Carrie Browne and Donald Smith-Browne; and Tim Snow, president of George Snow Scholarship Fund.  To make a gift or create a donor advised fund to support health professions scholars, please contact Carrie Browne, director of stewardship and strategic partnerships, (561) 837-2281, carrieb@phfpbc.org .

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. 

Leaders believe shared vision, determination, science, education, collaboration, and investment can transform the South Florida region and change the world.

Palm Beach County leaders will guide foundation’s grantmaking initiatives to help residents thrive and reach their full health potential.