1 NEWS FOR OUR DONORS AND FRIENDS AUGUST 2019 Philanthropically “I felt sad when they died. I miss them because they used to make me breakfast,” shared 6-year-old Xandria. Xandria lost her grandmother and uncle in a fire when she was only 4. “Bright Star made me feel more happy about my family.” The grief that a child feels is very different than that of an adult. The Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families walks with children and their families through this journey, and it’s the generous support of donors like you that makes this program possible for children and their families, especially since these programs are not paid for by insurance. Xandria now has a safe and supportive environment to grieve and ask questions to better understand what happened. Gifts to Bright Star have impacted so many children, like Xandria, who are paralyzed with grief and trying to understand a seemingly unexplainable loss. Donor support of Bright Star ensures that children, tweens and teens can grieve in a safe, open and comfortable environment where they are understood and accepted. Terry Musso, LCSW, and Bright Star program director shares, “Children who are grieving a significant loss in their life often feel very insecure, unsafe and generally alone. The magic of our program is the ‘peer support’ groups, where tough feelings are normalized; being with other children who can relate to those feelings helps them feel less isolated in their grief.” When a child experiences grief, it is difficult for them to understand their loss and even more difficult for the adults, who are processing their own emotions, to talk about it. Whether it’s the death of a parent, brother, sister or an extended family member, children feel the effects of the loss and need help to process the difficult, sometimes “grown- up” emotions. Bright Star also supports parents and family members in a peer-to-peer setting, equipping them to process their own grief while providing them with skills to help their children process grief in a healthy way. We are humbled by those in our community who support Bright Star through the Foundation. Because of these committed donors, Bright Star is able to welcome any child and family to participate in these programs at no cost. Gifts help ensure that when a family is in need of a safe, comfortable environment to cope with the grief of loss and move toward hope, healing and renewal, they can turn to us with confidence. Terry adds, “The generous gifts we receive allow us to have the tools we need to provide the best care we can for all of our families.” Bright Star is a beacon of hope for children and families in our community, and we are grateful for your compassionate support. Walking Through e Grief Journey wi Children Xandria, 6-year-old student at Bright Star Center
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NEWS FOR OUR DONORS AND FRIENDS
AUGUST 2019
Philanthropically
“I felt sad when they died. I miss them because they used to make me breakfast,” shared 6-year-old Xandria. Xandria lost her grandmother and uncle in a fire when she was only 4. “Bright Star made me feel more happy about my family.” The grief that a child feels is very different than that of an adult. The Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families walks with children and their families through this journey, and it’s the generous support of donors like you that makes this program possible for children and their families, especially since these programs are not paid for by insurance.
Xandria now has a safe and supportive environment to grieve and ask questions to better understand what happened. Gifts to Bright Star have impacted so many children, like Xandria, who are paralyzed with grief and trying to understand a seemingly unexplainable loss. Donor support of Bright Star ensures that children, tweens and teens can grieve in a safe, open and comfortable environment where they are understood and accepted.
Terry Musso, LCSW, and Bright Star program director shares, “Children who are grieving a significant loss in their life often feel very insecure, unsafe and generally alone. The magic of our program is the ‘peer support’ groups, where tough feelings are normalized; being with other children who can relate to those feelings helps them feel less isolated in their grief.”
When a child experiences grief, it is difficult for them to understand their loss and even more difficult for the adults, who are processing their own emotions, to talk about it. Whether it’s the death of a parent, brother, sister or an extended family member, children feel the effects of the loss and need help to process the difficult, sometimes “grown-up” emotions. Bright Star also supports parents and family members in a peer-to-peer setting, equipping them to process their own grief while
providing them with skills to help their children process grief in a healthy way.
We are humbled by those in our community who support Bright Star through the Foundation. Because of these committed donors, Bright Star is able to welcome any child and family to participate in these programs at no cost. Gifts help ensure that when a family is in need of a safe, comfortable environment to cope with the grief of loss and move toward hope, healing and renewal, they can turn to us with confidence. Terry adds, “The generous gifts we receive allow us to have the tools we need to provide the best care we can for all of our families.” Bright Star is a beacon of hope for children and families in our community, and we are grateful for your compassionate support.
Walking Through the Grief Journey with Children
Xandria, 6-year-old student at Bright Star Center
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¡ “Stop the Bleed” training: Part of a nationwide campaign, this free training helps to empower law enforcement, emergency responders and Brevard residents with the knowledge of bleeding-control basic techniques using tourniquets and pressure.
¡ “Family Be Fit” program: To help address the disparity of overweight and obese children in Brevard, Health First has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida to teach families about healthy lifestyles through nutrition lessons, fun activities and games, and healthy meal preparation exercises. A modified version of the program is also offered at several summer camps.
Collaborating with these and other organizations makes a difference in the lives of our friends, family and neighbors. It goes beyond treating people in a doctor’s office or Emergency Department. We take this mission to heart and are grateful for the community donors who invest in and support this meaningful work alongside us.
$171 Million to Care for our CommunityCaring for Brevard has been a longstanding Health First commitment – and that care stretches beyond the doors of the community healthcare system’s various facilities and services. Our purpose for existing is to provide for the wellness and health of everyone in Brevard.
In fiscal year 2018 alone, Health First provided more than $171 million in community support, which includes charity and uncompensated care. Providing benefits that improve the wellness and health of our neighbors is at the heart of what Health First does – demonstrated on a daily basis through the various programs the Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) supports.
With more than 9,000 associates dedicated to serving Space Coast residents, Health First is committed to being an economic and social anchor, providing healing, health and hope for our family, friends and neighbors – in addition to offering a safety net for Brevard’s most vulnerable citizens.
To extend our mission for a healthier Brevard, Health First partners with several local nonprofit organizations to provide outreach programs to community members, such as:
¡ Mayors’ Fitness Challenge: Health First has supported this initiative since its inception three years ago. Represented by mayors from municipalities across the Space Coast, residents form teams and commit to adopting a healthier lifestyle by increasing their physical activity and competing in an eight-week challenge for the “Most Fit City,” in addition to a “Great Weight-Off” competition for individual participants.
¡ Space Coast Crew: Health First partners with the competitive rowing program for local middle and high school students. The organization engages youth in vigorous physical activity and embodies sportsmanship and ethics through respect and responsibility.
¡ Who We Play For: Since 2016, Health First has partnered with this organization, which provides affordable, potentially life-saving cardiac screenings for student athletes, helping to identify those who are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. About 2% of those screened are flagged for follow-up or further review.
“Family Be Fit” fitness activities in schools and summer camps
Space Coast Crew
2019 Mayors’ Fitness Challenge
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Thanks to our generous donors to nursing excellence, $65,000 was awarded in nursing scholarships to 26 Health First nurses pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). Continued education translates into nurses who are better trained and equipped to provide the best care for all of their patients. Scholarships have empowered nurses to take the sometimes-daunting step of continuing their nursing education or beginning to pursue an advanced degree.
By 2020, Health First seeks to employ a nursing population of which 55% hold a BSN or higher. Donor support of nursing scholarships has helped us reach 45%, with that number growing each year.
Research shows that Bachelor’s-trained nurses make a tremendous impact on patient outcomes. Not only does this advanced education give nurses the textbook knowledge of the latest medical advances and protocol, but these nurses gain confidence as leaders in their departments and in caring for their patients on a daily basis.
Our nurses have a sacred and unique role in helping to care for people in our community. The Foundation recognized the nurses who were selected for 2019 scholarships, along with donors who made these scholarships possible at a recent luncheon at Suntree Country Club. At the luncheon, Roy Berkemeier, a previous scholarship recipient and current Clinical Charge Nurse at Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital, shared the impact the scholarship had on him, both personally and professionally, elevating his knowledge and skills. John Gallo, a grateful patient and community leader, then shared his story of how the nurses at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center were his “special angels” when he needed emergency cardiac surgery. These profound experiences illustrate the impact of and gratitude for the generosity that makes nursing scholarships possible.
With a focus on quality care and improving outcomes, and a commitment to the nurses who work diligently at the bedside, Health First is grateful for those in the community who give to Nursing Excellence. Over the last four years, there have been 163 scholarships awarded, totaling $462,500. Named scholarships include the Mike Means and
Larry Garrison Endowment for Nursing Excellence and the Igo Family Scholarship. Named scholarships are in addition to the generous donors who support the Health First Nursing Excellence Fund, like the Brevard Indo-American Medical and Dental Association (BIMDA), that made a generous multi-year gift providing for six scholarships. These donors are champions for nursing excellence, impacting not only the nurses’ education, confidence, and leadership skills, but ultimately the patients they care for each day.
Nursing Scholarships: Empowering a Passion for Patient Care
Jessica André, Health First Foundation Board Chair, presents 2019 Nursing Scholarship funds to recipients with Michael Seeley, Health First Foundation President
Nurse Tara Brozman with new parents
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W & J Construction has been a generous partner of Health First and the work of the Foundation for more than 15 years, and we are honored to recognize them as Corporate Partners. Their support of local healthcare is a powerful illustration of their core values, including community. “We live, work and play in our community, and therefore, we believe in giving back to and supporting our community with our time, talent and philanthropy,” shares Erik.
Corporate Partner Spotlight:W & J Construction has been “building Brevard and beyond” since 1965, completing over 1,500 projects throughout the area. Vice President/Co-Owner Erik Costin says, “Through our strength, flexibility, leadership, reputation and passion for our community, we are committed to providing services of which we can be proud.”
We are grateful for all the ways W & J Construction supports our community, through economic and business growth, quality work and philanthropy. Our community has benefitted in a number of ways by the leadership example of W & J Construction’s generosity.
2019 Grape Escape Committee Co-ChairsJohn Gallo and Pam Gatto
Underwriting Chair Christine Lance
Honorary Chair Jeanne Farmer
2019 Grape Escape Committee Members Jack and Nancy Dwyer, Bobbie Dyer, Jeanne Farmer, Jeff Farmer, Jeri Figueroa, Darcia Jones Francey, Suzy Leonard, Mark Mendolla, M.D., Uyen Close-Mendolla, Polly Molnar, Rita Moreno, Rob Perers, Natasha Spencer, Rick Thompson, M.D., Bill Troner and Kim Vice
Reserve your seat today by visiting HFgive.org or contacting Rachel Hobgood at 321.434.7353 or [email protected].
Please join us on October 12, 2019, for the 17th annual Grape Escape, benefiting Heart & Vascular Services at Health First. This year’s wine pairing dinner and auction will help raise funds for the purchase of a da Vinci Xi Surgical System, the most advanced and minimally invasive technology for complex general, cardiac, colorectal, gynecologic and urologic surgeries. The state-of-the-art Xi model allows for greater visualization and access, enhanced dexterity and precision, shorter recovery times and less scarring.
As minimally invasive cardiac surgery becomes the standard of care in the 21st century, the costs associated with meeting this vision and scope of treatment are substantial. The da Vinci Xi will play a crucial role in our ability to provide Brevard residents with the superior care, treatment and technology expected from Health First.
2019 Grape Escape to Support Purchase of Cutting Edge Surgical Technology
Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, is the location for 2019 Grape Escape
da Vinci Xi Surgical System
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She was one in a million, and we are all going to miss her very much.”
Golf Classic Donors Tee Off in Support of Aging ServicesThank you to everyone who supported the 2019 Health First Foundation Golf Classic and to this year’s Event Chair, Kent Smith, and the entire committee for their hard work. Together, more than $205,000 was raised to support Health First Aging Services, which includes the
Center for Family Caregivers, East Central Florida Memory Disorders Clinic and Senior Behavioral Wellness Intensive Outpatient Program. Your gifts to Health First Aging Services help us offer unique care for those recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other neurological or memory disorders,
providing emotional support and respite for families as they prepare for the challenging journey ahead. What an amazing gift of support and encouragement you provide during a stressful and worrisome time.
In 2018, Health First Aging Services held over 659 caregiver training classes and 438 support groups, serving 5,826 caregivers and their loved ones with services such as:
¡ Memory evaluation and management¡ Future planning and care coordination
with family members and physicians¡ Medication review, education and
management¡ Fall prevention education with gait and
balance management¡ Hands-on caregiving training
With your generosity, Health First Aging Services can ensure that each patient receives a care plan unique to their personal situation. Thank you for helping make so many of these free services possible.
Be sure to visit HFgive.org to view more event photos and learn more about Health First Foundation programs and events.2019 Challenge Course Winning Team, left to right, Tim Schulz (Health First), Kevin Steele
(Bob Steele Chevrolet), Michael Steele (Bob Steele Chevrolet) and Joe Felkner (Health First)
Brevard Loses Longtime PhilanthropistEven if you never met Evelyn Foster, there’s a good chance she’s made her mark in your life.
Evelyn was a longtime Brevard resident whose philanthropy in local healthcare stretched across decades. She passed away June 19, 2019, at the age of 91.
Predeceased by her husband, Warren Foster, they both considered themselves fortunate in life. Evelyn remarked on many occasions that all they had “was only by the grace of God” so they felt it was “their responsibility to give back by helping others less fortunate.”
“Evelyn and Warren gave generously to support Health First’s programs and services for decades,” said Steve Johnson, President and CEO of Health First. “In addition to serving as a trustee of the Health First Foundation, in recent years, Evelyn worked tirelessly to raise funds for nursing scholarships, helping our nurses earn advanced nursing degrees. Evelyn Foster
“While Evelyn will be terribly missed by her children, grandchildren and the community, her legacy lives on through the thousands of individuals and families whose lives have been and will continue to be touched by the many programs and services she has helped make possible,” Johnson said.
Wanting to ensure her support continued beyond her lifetime, Evelyn generously made arrangements in her estate plan for The Health First Foundation–and we are extremely grateful for her foresight and vision.
Mike Seeley, Foundation President remarked, “Evelyn was a powerhouse volunteer and never missed an opportunity to help raise awareness for a special healthcare project. She certainly was not shy and would talk with anyone about the importance of giving via annual support, nursing scholarships or special capital campaigns here at Health First.
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Send a Kid to Camp:Save the Date: December 3, 2019Health First is proud to continue our participation in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations through a worldwide celebration of philanthropy. Following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the holiday season by inspiring people to give to the charities and causes they believe in.
This year, we ask you to make a gift to send a child to “Camp Bright Star,” a program of Health First’s Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families. Held twice a year for about 50 children ages 5 to 12, Camp Bright Star is a fun-filled day of arts and crafts, sports
and a memorial service honoring campers’ late family members. This special camp is an extension of Hospice of Health First’s special bereavement services for children, which offers regular group sessions for grieving children at no cost to families. The Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families is funded 100% though donor generosity to the Health First Foundation.
Mark your calendar for December 3, 2019, and follow Health First on Facebook to see and hear stories directly from families and children who have been helped through Camp Bright Star.
To learn more about #GivingTuesday and how you can be a part of it, please call us at 321.434.7353.
Philanthropically Speaking is published byHealth First Foundation1350 S. Hickory St.Melbourne, FL 32901321.434.7353HFgive.org
Health First Foundation Board of TrusteesJessica André, ChairStephen Lacey, Vice ChairRob Perers, Immediate Past ChairMichael Seeley, PresidentPatricia Pruitt, SecretaryNicholas W. Romanello, Esq., Assistant SecretaryTina Goins, Treasurer
Gobivenkata Balaji, M.D.Richard C. BeagleyStephanie BrownCarl D. Coddington, Jr.Rochelle L. CooperDale A. DettmerBecky DukesBobbie DyerSteven Johnson
Our MissionThe Health First Foundation helps improve the wellness and health of residents in our community by raising funds to support and advance the mission of Health First and its family of charitable healthcare providers.
These include four not-for-profit hospitals — Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital and Health First’s Viera Hospital — as well as many Outpatient & Wellness Services that include Hospice of Health First and Health First Aging Services.
The Health First Foundation, Inc., Florida Registration #CH-12568, receives 100% of all contributions. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free, 1.800.435.7352, within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
Contact usfor more information on ways to support Health First through the Foundation.
Student and volunteer work together at Camp Bright Star
Students at Camp Bright Star
2020 Celebration of GivingSave the Date: January 30, 2020The Health First Foundation Celebration of Giving will recognize donors who have made gifts to support Health First’s mission of wellness and excellent, compassionate, patient-centered healthcare for our community. This appreciation event will celebrate donors in our annual Good Samaritan Society, having given $1,000 or more between August 15, 2018, and December 31, 2019. Members of our Legacy Society and Corporate Partners program will also be recognized.
As Steve Johnson, President & CEO, Health First, shared at last year’s “At the
Hop” themed event, “At Health First, we are entrusted with a sacred duty to care for our community. We are grateful for your partnership, and we are honored to hold events like this to simply and sincerely say thank you.”
Mark your calendar and ensure you will be included for this special recognition. We look forward to celebrating your generosity again and sharing the many ways your gifts are hard at work in our community.
Make your gift online at HFgive.org or mail your gift to the Health First Foundation, 1350 S. Hickory St., Melbourne, FL 32901
