THE RESOURCE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025
Composing: Making Space for Your Creative Spirit
Nurturing the Mind, Honoring the Heart: A Community Approach to Better Brain Health in Palm Beach County
More Than Art:
Rewiring the Brain Stitch by Stitch
Where Play Meets Purpose:
Nurturing Brain Health Through the Power of Play
The Brain Coast’s Ripple Effect: Riding the Wave for Health and Well-Being Through Every Life Stage
Plus: Healthy Aging Grant at Healthier Boynton Beach • Every Mom Deserves a Village • From Scholarship to Service: How a Palm Health Foundation Nursing Scholar is Advancing Geriatric Memory and Wellness Care in Palm Beach County
JULIE KHANNA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
“You had the power all along.” -The Wizard of Oz
Made possible by our invested partner:
We started collaborating with Palm Health Foundation on this issue in late summer and since that time, this quote from The Wizard of Oz has been ringing in my head.
On the surface, supporting good brain health sounds like it’s complicated. After all, the human brain is the most complex organ in the body and neurology is an incredibly precise and intricate practice of medicine.
However, once we started having conversations, I realized that I’m already doing things to support good brain health without even realizing it.
In short, I had the power all along and I’m certain that many of you do as well.
The Global Council on Brain Health has defined six pillars of brain health which can improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of brain disorders and improve overall quality of life.
1. Engage your brain. Any activity which gets the neurons firing is a good one, so join a book club, pick up a puzzle or even play some old video games like Tetris which has been proven to trigger the release of neurochemicals which increase brain plasticity.
2. Stay socially engaged. If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to feel supported, connected and loved when that child leaves the nest to explore the great, wide world. I am lucky enough to have cultivated a network of friends and family. Every day, these are the people who inspire, challenge and support me through all of life’s ups and downs.
3. Manage stress. Everyone I know is stressed to some degree. Dealing with stress in a healthy way is vital to good cognitive health. Some people run, some journal, some attend religious services - whatever you do to decompress is an important anchor in maintaining a healthier brain.
4. Exercise. Your mind and body are one of the greatest blessings in life and I encourage everyone to move both as much as you possibly can. Walk your dog, dance with your kids in the kitchen, take advantage of the gorgeous weather
we have in South Florida and jump in the pool or do yoga on the beach. Move whenever and wherever you are able.
5. Restorative sleep. I have to admit that like many, I am guilty of not getting enough sleep but I am taking steps towards better sleep practices like aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep every night, no screens 30 minutes before bed and making sure my bedroom is a quiet, dark and peaceful sanctuary.
6. Eating healthy. When you’re busy, it can be easy to grab something fast or worse yet, forget to eat entirely. Aim for a diet high in protein, fiber, whole grains, fruits and vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts, salmon and chia seeds.
Palm Beach County is quickly becoming known as the Brain Coast and we are so fortunate to have this vibrant ecosystem of scientific innovation, mental and neurological health programs and community initiatives right in our backyard.
Palm Health Foundation is working towards becoming a catalytic force in this space. With their support, Palm Beach County residents like ourselves can 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. We hope you will find the first steps to doing so in this issue of The Well of PBC.
Thank you for being part of the mission:
"To be the primary resource for behavioral health and wellness for Palm Beach County; a safe exchange space for community and an outlet for our neighbors and stakeholders to transform the behavioral health landscape."
With deep appreciation,
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/ THE MISSION
Our mission is to be the primary resource for behavioral health and wellness for Palm Beach County; a safe exchange space for community and an outlet for our neighbors and stakeholders to transform the behavioral health landscape.
To share feedback, obtain advertising information, or contribute, please reach us at thewell@bewellpbc.org.
The largest behavioral health publication in Palm Beach County, The Well of PBC is a non-profit magazine which aims to be a communitydirected resource for Palm Beach County residents. Advocating for mental health accessibility is central to our mission and we believe in “walking the walk” when it comes to ensuring every Palm Beach County resident has the opportunity to have their voices heard. We are proud to use our platform to highlight both national and global concerns while remaining focused on local mental health and wellness issues that matter the most to our audience.
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Julie, CEO of Khanna Connections, enjoys using her creativity to help health and wellness industries communicate with their audiences.
ZUCHMAN
ADVISOR
Lauren is a licensed clinical social worker and Palm Beach County resident and professional with commitment to advance health and wellness for every person across the county. The Well of PBC is a passion project for Lauren to increase behavioral health awareness, engage diverse perspectives across the county, and promote solutions to address our county’s most complex challenges.
CONTRIBUTOR
Melanie, president of Otero Communications, provides consulting services for some of Palm Beach County’s leading nonprofit organizations. With a special interest in behavioral health, she has assisted with the launch of The Well of PBC and serves as a contributing writer.
KATRINA BLACKMON
MARKETING MANAGER
Katrina, CEO of Unity3 Palm Beach and Community Action & Communications Administrator at BeWellPBC, brings over 25 years of executive advertising experience to The Well of PBC. Her passion for faith, family, and Palm Beach County’s diverse community drives her commitment to uplifting voices and advancing wellness through media and engagement.
CONTRIBUTOR
Jaime, founder of Rosewood Media, is a West Palm Beach resident, creative and contributing writer to The Well of PBC. With a decade of experience in non-profit communications and a lifetime of experience as a writer, Jaime’s work focuses on behavioral health, diversity, equity and inclusion, travel, music, food and parenthood through a pop culture lens.
ALITA FABER
EDITORIAL SPECIALIST
Alita, BeWellPBC Coordinator, wishes to help make the behavioral health field more equitable and accessible for all in Palm Beach County, including those seeking services and those looking to work in the field.
JESSIE PRUGH
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Jessie is a seasoned creative director and designer with fifteen years of experience in print publishing, education, and marketing. With a passion for innovation, she has empowered diverse clients, from arts organizations to Fortune 500 companies, with bespoke marketing solutions and creative project management.
Call to Action: We are looking for people to contribute to our art, ask the experts, students, self-care, cultural, spiritual, and provider columns. Email us for our contributor guidelines, editorial calendar, or if you’d like to share an event or position you’re hiring for. E: thewell@bewellpbc.org | Follow along at @thewellofpbc
MELANIE OTERO
JAIME JOSHI ELDER
LAUREN
The Brain Coast’s Ripple Effect: Riding the Wave for Health
and Well-Being Through Every Life Stage
By Patrick McNamara, President and CEO, Palm Health Foundation
The Brain Coast movement is creating a ripple effect across Palm Beach County. A diverse range of organizations and people are catching the brain health wave alongside Palm Health Foundation, propelling ideas and solutions farther and faster by harnessing the movement’s momentum. Together, they are advancing brain health as the foundation for mental clarity, emotional stability, and the capacity to adapt and thrive throughout life.
The tide is high and rising fast
A healthy brain impacts far more than our own health and well-being. According to a 2023 report from the Dana Foundation and Research America, more than 8 in 10 Americans are affected by brain health issues.
In addition to the significant human costs, mental and neurological disorders and diseases cost the U.S. economy more than $1.5 trillion per year—9 percent of GDP— underscoring the scale of the potential benefit that could come from accelerating the progress of innovation to diagnose, treat, and cure a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and other brain conditions.
From birth to later years, brain health impacts the U.S.
economy and society through direct medical costs, caregiving demands, and lost productivity that accumulate gradually but become most pronounced in late life. Earlylife brain development and midlife health management play critical roles in shaping brain resilience that can reduce these costly impacts in older age, highlighting the value of lifespan-focused brain health strategies.
By prioritizing brain health from before birth through old age in Palm Beach County through the Brain Coast movement, we can prevent or delay many neurological issues.
Brain health refers to the overall well-being and optimal functioning of the brain, encompassing its cognitive, emotional, and neurological aspects. It involves the brain’s ability to perform essential functions such as thinking, learning, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, while maintaining resilience against stress, injury, and disease.
Factors contributing to brain health include proper nutrition, regular physical and mental exercise, adequate sleep, stress management, and the absence of neurological disorders or damage. Conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, or traumatic brain injury can impair brain health, highlighting the importance of protective habits and early intervention.
Previously published in Avitzur O, Rost NS, Evans DA. Neurologists have a plan for lifelong brain health. Neurology. 2022:99(21):925-926 * Quality of life
A surge of opportunity
Palm Health Foundation (PHF) and partner universities, foundations, health care systems, nonprofits, and communityled initiatives are coalescing around brain health for every life stage.
Pre-Conception and Pregnancy
A mother's health and nutrition—even before getting pregnant—can significantly affect her future baby's brain development.
Brain health tip
Taking folic acid supplements starting at least three months before conception drastically lowers the risk of serious brain and spinal cord defects in the baby.
Research also shows that a mother’s mental health before and during pregnancy can shape her baby’s brain health and later risk for cognitive and emotional difficulties. Women with poor mental health pre-conception face higher rates of pregnancy complications and less favorable birth outcomes, underlining the importance of emotional and mental wellbeing before conception as well as during pregnancy.
PHF partners taking action:
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies’ Stronger Together program is designed to improve Black and Haitian maternal health in Palm Beach County by certifying and matching doulas with pregnant clients who have cultural similarities. A doula (doo-luh) is a community-based individual who provides continuous social, emotional, and educational support to a mother during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, positively affecting both the mother's and the baby's brain health. Turn to page 30 to learn more
about Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies. And see page 32 to read about Palm Beach County’s Nurse Family Partnership program funded by Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County that provides home visits by registered nurses to first-time mothers, focused on improving maternal health, promoting competent parenting, and enhancing parental lifecourse development.
Early Childhood
Early years are key to learning, emotional growth, and social development. Safe environments, immunizations, and positive parenting form a solid base for lifelong brain health.
Brain health tip
Babies from birth to age 3 form more than 1 million new neural connections per second. During this period, the brain rapidly grows and forms billions of synapses that lay the foundational architecture for future cognitive, social, and emotional development. By age 3, about 80% of brain growth is achieved, and by age 5, it's about 90% of adult size, reflecting this intense early brain development phase where neural connections are rapidly created and strengthened through interaction and experience. Simple acts—like showing affection or encouraging curiosity—help promote healthy brain development much more than toys or technology.
PHF partners taking action:
At the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum in Boynton Beach (see page 26), children are surrounded by child-sized replicas of the resources early Florida settlers relied on to build and create a new community, such as a family farm, a general store, and train travel. Through touch, play, and interaction, the museum provides young children with a historically based, sensory learning experience to encourage brain development.
/ FEATURE
Join the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum with partners, the Center for Child Counseling and Palm Health Foundation, for a parent and child Train the Brain educational event at the Boynton Beach Cultural Arts Center on October 15, 2025. Visit palmhealthfoundation.org/events for more information.
Adolescence
Pre-teens and teens experience significant brain development throughout adolescence that profoundly affects their behavior, decision-making, and emotional health. Challenging academic, physical, and social activities strengthen brain circuits, supporting cognitive and emotional growth.
Brain health tip
A Boston Children's Hospital study using neuroimaging data from nearly 6,000 early adolescents showed that physical activity of any kind was associated with more efficiently organized, flexible, and robust brain networks. The more physical activity, the more "fit" the brain. The study also found that regular physical activity partially offset the effects of unhealthy body mass index, or BMI, which has been associated with detrimental effects on brain circuitry, including cognitive function, attention, motor function, memory, and decision-making.
PHF partners taking action:
Digital Vibez motivates and inspires youth to dance, stay fit, and live healthy lives for total body benefits, including the brain. Earlier this year, the nonprofit organization announced that its successful March Let’s Move initiative will be extended into a year-round program called Let’s Move 365. Designed to reduce rates of metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity in underserved Palm Beach County ZIP codes, Let’s Move 365 promotes wellness among both youth and adults, encouraging parents and role models to set a healthy example. The initiative is made possible through Palm Beach County and the Parks & Recreation Department with support from Genesis Health and the American Heart Association.
Adulthood
A balanced lifestyle—healthy eating, exercise, and stress control—keeps the brain alert and reduces the risk of many neurological conditions.
“Fueled by innovation, world-class research, neuroarts, dedicated health professionals, and passionate supporters, we know the time is now—and the Brain Coast’s ripple effects are limitless.”
Brain health tip
While your brain stops growing in size by about age 25, it remains active and capable of forming new connections throughout adulthood. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, regular physical exercise, social interaction, and a healthy diet can help protect and even improve your cognitive abilities as you age. For example, long-term high blood pressure damages brain vessels and tissue, raising stroke and dementia risk, and can contribute to cognitive decline and impairment.
PHF partners taking action:
The American Heart Association is helping adults achieve a healthy, balanced lifestyle by providing “Culture of Health” mini-grants. In 2025, they funded 11 projects in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties to improve health through blood pressure control, nutrition security, tobaccofree and vape-free environments, and cardiac emergency response plans, including CPR training and AED placement. The grants are sponsored by HCA Florida Healthcare and supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation and Palm Health Foundation.
Late Adulthood
Regular check-ups, early detection of conditions like dementia, and staying socially engaged help preserve brain health, independence, and quality of life in later years.
Brain health tip
A prevailing myth is that the brain breaks down with age. Research consistently supports that older adults—despite some declines—can actively improve or maintain many mental skills by embracing physical, cognitive, and social activities, dispelling the myth that aging necessarily leads to uniform brain deterioration.
PHF partners taking action:
Palm Health Foundation's Healthier Boynton Beach initiative received a $1 million grant from the CVS Health® Foundation in 2025. This grant is part of the CVS Health Foundation's new Healthy Aging initiative, which supports organizations serving older adults to improve health care access and resources related to brain, heart, and behavioral health conditions, as well as support for family caregivers whose own health is often overlooked. The funding will connect caregivers over 60 to community health and wellness resources that benefit their loved ones and themselves. See page 24 to read more about this innovative program. And turn to page 28 to learn how The Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is engaging seniors through community outreach, education, and Alzheimer's research in an approach that not only advances science but also fosters connection and fellowship among older adults.
Catching the wave
The Brain Coast movement is surging ahead with momentum and capacity for everyone to join. Fueled by innovation, world-class research, neuroarts, dedicated health professionals, and passionate supporters, we know the time is now—and the Brain Coast’s ripple effects are limitless. Each initiative and discovery benefits all of us as we navigate our lives, nurturing our brains to adapt, grow, and thrive through every tide.
Identifying the pathways to resilience across the human lifespan
The new Center for the Resilient Mind at Florida Atlantic StilesNicholson Brain Institute in Jupiter, FL, is the first of its kind, with the vision “to bring together collaborative biologists, psychologists, computer scientists, educators, community advocates and policy makers to support the effort to build more resilient brains, minds, families and communities,” according to Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., executive director of the institute.
Palm Health Foundation committed a $500,000 challenge grant to launch the center, which was immediately met by a $50,000 gift from The Merrell Family Foundation—kick-starting the ongoing community campaign. Together, donors have already contributed more than $1 million toward the $2.5 million goal, including a $50,000 gift from Palm Beach philanthropist and PHF trustee Frances Fisher.
A founding Brain Coast partner, Dr. Blakely recognizes the importance of the institute and its new center for unlocking the mysteries of the brain across the lifespan. “We certainly have work to do to treat brain and thought disorders once they appear,” he acknowledged. “How can we build the defenses needed to allow harm to not take hold? How does beauty, social engagement, and the power of strong communities push back on the threats that will, for many, forever knock at our door?”
The new Center for the Resilient Mind will serve as a major lynchpin, connecting innovative neuroscience research with a current, critical need in our mental health system to foster and enhance resilient minds. Focus areas include:
• Program for Resilient Development – Studying the factors behind healthy, resilient brain development and early life stress resilience
• Program for Resilient Aging – Demonstrating how genetics and physical, social and community activities contribute to healthy aging
• Program for Resilient Communities – Identifying the brain mechanisms and health consequences associated with aesthetic experience and activities
• Program for Artistic Resilience – Investigating brain dynamics underlying artistic engagement and how these activities can shape and strengthen brain circuits for people to reach their full potential
“Together, we will learn the lessons and practices that can tap into the brain’s plasticity to allow our biology and experience to drive resilience,” Dr. Blakely said.
Learn more by visiting fau.edu/brain/resilient-mind.
These are the 6 pillars of Brain Health: physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress management, social engagement, and cognitive activity.
Which pillar(s) do you mostly use to support your brain health and how?
Maria Alexander Zupo - South
“I personally use all six. Our mental health has so many layers and connections that finding a balance between the six will promote a healthier lifestyle and better overall wellbeing. Juicing, yoga and breath work are some of my favorite things to support my mental health. Which translate into my social life as well. Finding a sweet balanced spot between all six is life changing!”
Thalia Alfaro - East
“As a model, maintaining my brain health is just as essential as my physical well-being; they truly go hand in hand. I find that physical activity and nutrition are the pillars I lean on most. Regular workouts help me clear my mind, boost my energy, and stay focused during long shoots, while nourishing meals keep me feeling vibrant and balanced from the inside out. I’ve also learned to prioritize sleep as a non-negotiable part of my routine — it’s my secret weapon for staying mentally sharp and creatively inspired.”
Frantz Benjamin - Central
“All pillars are important in my area, but for social engagement, I try to be intentional. I try to find people that are reciprocal, great communicators, no gatekeepers and highly responsive and timely.”
Jigna Solanki - West
“People are often surprised when I say I feel like I’m 25. But I believe age is more about how we care for ourselves than the number on our birthday cake. By focusing on nutrition and exercise, I’ve created a lifestyle that supports mental clarity, emotional stability, and physical energy. The best part? It’s not complicated. You don’t need the latest trends or expensive programs. Just two pillars: eat real food, and move your body every day. Consistency turns these simple actions into powerful habits, and habits shape who we become. At 45, I feel sharper, healthier, and more vibrant than ever—and it’s proof that small, intentional choices, repeated daily, can change everything.”
Cherryl Cannon - North
“I focus most on physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive activity to support my brain health. I stay active through regular workouts. Spending time in nature and staying active helps me clear my mind, reduce stress, and maintain high energy levels. As a marketing professional, event planner, and community connector, I thrive on building relationships and staying socially connected keeps me engaged and emotionally balanced. As an avid traveler, I see travel planning as a mental workout! I’m constantly researching destinations, problem-solving challenges that occur while traveling, and learning new things about cultures and places, which keeps my brain sharp and curious.
Together, these three pillars help me stay mentally strong, positive, and inspired.”
To have your voice heard from the corner of the neighborhood, send an email to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “Corner Talk and north, central, south, east or west” in the subject line.
Fade far away, dissolve and quite forget What thou among the leaves has never known, The weariness, the fever, and the fret… - Ode to a Nightingale. John Keats
Composing: Making Space for Your Creative Spirit
By Susan Currie | www.susancurriecreative.com | @susancurriecreative
Ease of mind, peace in the body, fullness of consciousness, and fields of quiet contemplation - there are countless routes to such destinations.
Taking a cue from the natural world, the above lines of poetry by John Keats rather eloquently salute the balm of subtracting ourselves from the grid of life and nourishing the soul.
In my work as a visual artist and writer, I have long held a prism up in study of the assorted manners in which we as a culture “exhale” - the methods by which we “dissolve”.
For me, tapping into that well of creativity we each possess is an evergreen route for exhaling and sourcing resilience. Creativity is a superpower, a precious resource with which we each are all blessed.
The trick is to call upon it...
When we think of the concept of “composing,” we might instinctively bring to mind the act of making something tangible — a photograph, a piece of music, a poem, a letter. Loosely translated as, “to arrange in proper
or orderly form,” the word “compose” has boundless applications. My suggestion is that we extend this practice to our overtaxed and scattered minds.
In the pages of my 2021 book SUPERFLOW: Light Up the Artist in YOU, I share some of my signature teachings which champion the path of making art as a practice to do so.
Be it capturing a few thoughtful images, recording some lines of verse, expressing a bit of one’s soul carving something from wood or taking some liberties in the kitchen with a recipe — the margins to creativity are broad.
My experience has been that when we make creative expression a non-negotiable in our lives, we not only generate an inner joy, but we also achieve a quieting of the mind which has the potential to pulse out in endless rays.
A common refrain I field runs like this: “I’ve never been creative. I could never paint. I don’t cook. I am not coordinated enough to play an instrument.”
Susan Currie is a West Palm Beach-based visual artist who integrates vibrant color with timeless geometric elements in her printmaking and painting — her photographs often serving as prompts for creative exploration. Susan's chromatic takes on simple universal elements extend a nod to the art of play and to the wonder of childhood, a subject she faithfully focused on for over two decades in her work as a fine art portrait photographer.
Susan’s fine art can be found in a number of galleries, private collections and commercial settings. Currently on view at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, FL is colorforms, a retrospective of Susan’s abstract edge color expressions. The works (on panel, stretched cotton canvas, and diamond polished acrylic blocks) channel the cheer she experiences while communing with the natural world and the coastline of southern Florida.
The list of self-created barriers is infinite and often there is a simple first step not taken that fuels these roadblocks to entry.
The Tibetan term for enlightenment is translated as the union of two words: “sang” meaning clearing away the delusions and bad habits of the mind, and “gyey” which means developing and bringing forth our true nature.
I don’t recall any of my art teachers extending much focus on taking one’s attention inward and preparing the mind before getting behind the lens of a camera or picking up a pen. It was only through my contemplative studies that I was introduced to such common sense. And, in its decades long application to my creative process, I have come to discover that this initial composing of the mind is an essential gateway for more fully showing up to artistic expression.
“What are the things that take your breath away?”
You might begin here with this simple internal inquiry and stay with that probe for a while. This practice will involve letting some of the other competing non-essential day to day life tasks fall away. Given this, you will need to subtract some of these dispensable endeavors which chip away at your precious waking hours. How might you make a practice such as this a non-negotiable?
Whether it is daily or once a week or once a month to start, can you commit to making a space and a place in your life to intentionally sit still, be quiet, notice the beauty that only you can notice and permit yourself the time to see how that might express itself through you creatively?
“Every artist’s art is their coping mechanism. We make what we make to save ourselves, to stay sane, to find the slender cord of grace between us and the world.” Maria Popova
In today’s modern world, we scramble about at an unsustainable pace, often rendering ourselves absent — absent from others, but perhaps more importantly truly absent from ourselves. I don’t profess to be claiming anything here that we don’t already know. Take it as a gentle reminder if you will.
There is a route back “home” - a path for protecting our soul. I cheer for composing, and in doing so finding your “slender cord”!
The Draw is a space for creatives to share their art, poetry, spoken word, etc. and/or how their art helps themselves and others.
To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc. org with "The Draw" in the subject line.
thE SOurce thE SOurce
The brain is the most complex human organ and the study around it can be equally complicated.
However, there are countless resources out there which break down neurology and the surrounding fields into layman’s terms and make intricate concepts much easier to comprehend.
Everything from the mechanics of neurobiology to how to maintain cognitive health can be found online and we at The Well of PBC,
have curated a list of podcasts, books and websites to provide an accessible pathway to understanding the fascinating complexities of the human brain.
The Source is your resource to find what you need to thrive.
If you have something you’d like to share, we encourage you to email us at: thewell@bewellpbc.org and tell us about it so we might highlight it in a future issue.
Huberman Lab (podcast)
A neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine, Andrew Huberman ph.D has the #1 health and fitness podcast on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify. While a majority of his guests are scientists, he has also featured comedian Tom Segura and record producer Rick Rubin on his show and has discussed a vast array of neuroscience-related topics such as how to control your vagus nerve to improve neuroplasticity and how to use sleep to improve learning, creativity and memory.
“Neuro-Arts: The Hidden Superpower with Susan Magsamen” -
Systems Catalyst (podcast)
Founder of the Arts + Mind Lab at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the co-author of “Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us,” Susan Magsamen joins hosts Jeff Walker and English Sall for a conversation about how music, movies and graphic arts can have a medicinal effect on the brain.
NeuroArts Resource Center (website)
The NeuroArts Resource Center is an easy-to-use repository of user-generated information designed to connect individuals and organizations across the field. In addition to a community bulletin board, the website also organizes information into five simple categories for ease:
• Library - research, articles, and media.
• Directory - profiles of individuals, organizations, and institutions in the field.
• Professional Opportunities - career development tools and opportunities.
• Funding - public and private opportunities for financial support.
• Events - conferences, workshops, and convenings.
Cadence (podcast)
Hosted by cognitive neuroscientist and classically trained opera singer Indre Viskontas and produced by Adam Isaak, Cadence features scientists, musicians, musicologists and composers having in-depth conversations surrounding the intersection of music and science and covers topics as diverse as neurodivergence in the orchestral world and the role music therapy plays in healing trauma.
Brain Health Network (website)
Though a British-based organization, the Brain Health Network’s advice applies no matter where in the world you live. The network is dedicated to helping people stay brain healthy as they age by focusing on six pillars - living a healthy lifestyle, maintaining aging, maintaining a good nutritional balance, making sure you get enough sleep, staying active and exercising and keeping your brain active. Director of
Science and Research Impact, Professor James Goodwin wrote an article about a life course approach to good brain health which outlines these pillars here and says, “All we have to do is to change some simple things in our life and we can put our health on a new trajectory. It isn’t complicated. But it also isn’t that easy. It requires discipline to stick to it. But the rewards are huge - a longer, healthier and more productive life.”
Supercharge Your Brain - How to Maintain a Healthy Brain Throughout Your Life by James Goodwin (book)
Professor James Goodwin is also the author of Supercharge Your Brain which has been called the “definitive guide to keeping your brain healthy for a long and lucid life by one of the world's leading scientists in the field of brain health and aging.”
In this book, he outlines that, “the rate of aging in our bodies is not only malleable but largely under our control
Alive Inside (documentary)
Winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Award, Alive Inside is the joyful exploration of how music affects the brain and how music can accomplish something that prescription medication might not be able to fully unlock. Focused on music’s ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it, Alive Inside features interviews
(DNA or heredity being responsible for only about 25 percent of it). To a large extent, we can control our brain ageing, and with it our brain health, by modifying our exposure to risk factors such as diet, exercise, sleep, sex, alcohol, coffee, stress, social connections and how we use our brains,” and goes further in depth regarding how with some discipline and changes to our lifestyles, we can live longer, be healthier and more productive.
from neurologist and best-selling author Oliver Sacks (Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain), healthcare visionaries Dr. Bill Thomas, Dr. Al Powers, Naomi Fiel, and musician Bobby McFerrin (“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”) and shows how deeply intertwined with the arts our humanity really is.
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“Immersing yourself in a regular art practice can reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels while enhancing selfefficacy, coping, and emotional regulation. Art engagement can literally rewire the brain by building new neural pathways.”
More Than Art: Rewiring the Brain Stitch by Stitch
By Sandra Raffaelli, Founder & CEO, aZul - Fashion, Art & Design, Inc.
What happens when a garden is abandoned? Welltended flowers die off and it becomes unrecognizable with overgrown weeds. Like a garden, the mind needs nurturing and the planting of new seeds to flourish and grow.
After a person with developmental disabilities leaves high school, the opportunities to create, learn, explore and thrive are limited and a high percentage of this population will spend their time in front of a screen or accompanying caregivers on errands without engaging in activities that stimulate neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize itself.
At aZul-Fashion, Art & Design, we believe in the power of creativity to inspire young adults with developmental disabilities. When they walk through our doors, they take on the title of “Creatives,” and our mission is to unearth their unique talents through art and design programs.
Working mainly in textiles, aZul teaches techniques like fabric piecing, clear painting and appliqué to make one-of-a-kind garments, jewelry, and tote bags. Whether developing a new hobby or starting a microenterprise, the act of participating in artistic creation has amazing mental, emotional and physiological benefits.
According to the NY Times bestselling book “Your Brain on Art” by Sarah Magsamen and Ivy Ross, immersing yourself in a regular art practice can reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels while enhancing self-efficacy, coping, and emotional regulation. Art engagement can literally rewire the brain by building new neural pathways.
These benefits are at the core of aZul’s approach.
Alisha L., an aZul Creative, is living proof of the therapeutic benefits of artistic design. After suffering a brain injury, Alysha used a wheelchair and had severely impaired cognitive function. When she joined aZul’s “Follow the Thread” sustainable fashion design program, she was unsure she would be able to fully participate.
However, with each new technique, Alisha discovered that stitching and piecing fabrics began to spark a recognition of lost skills and active creativity became her motivating force. When asked how "Follow the Thread" impacted her, Alisha replied, “It helped me gain creativity back and feel accomplished. I became more confident in my abilities inside and outside of class.”
While creating her own clothing line, Alisha has relearned to walk independently, her vision has improved, and she feels more comfortable in social situations. She now gives back by volunteering at aZul. Her journey is just one powerful example of how art can help heal and connect.
We take a holistic approach, weaving mindfulness, self-love and repetition into instruction of distinct art techniques. When our Creatives upcycle a blazer for a nature-inspired fashion show or layer fabric pieces to create a “Self-Portrait of the Inner Self,” they uncover a crucial sense of independence.
Each class offers a theme and step-by-step technique instruction, leaving space for personal choice and perspective in the colors, patterns, and subject of the design. This artistic autonomy transcends language, which is particularly meaningful for participants who communicate nonverbally or require caregiving.
Individuals with disabilities such as autism or Down Syndrome are often overlooked when it comes to opportunities for personal growth. Whether the final project is a small bracelet or an entire clothing line, our Creatives experience pride and dignity in seeing their ideas come to life and displayed publicly. This is a powerful form of self-expression that builds confidence and validates their unique voices.
With artistic field trips, single-session art classes, dance sessions and long-term comprehensive fashion design programs, aZul offers artistic engagement at a variety of commitment levels. The therapeutic benefits of an art practice are extended to caregivers of our Creatives in the team-based Follow the Thread program. As they work together to design garments that exemplify their personalities, collaboration shifts the traditional caregiver/
dependent relationship into one of purposeful creation. Caregivers experience the calming effects of a new artistic practice alongside the Creative.
The open sharing of ideas in the group setting of program sessions further supports brain health by strengthening social connection. The confidence built during classes and showcasing events prepares our Creatives to more comfortably connect socially in other areas of their lives and realize their belonging within the community.
Azul turns fabric, beads and glue into compelling instruments that improve brain health by promoting selfexpression, enhancing cognitive function, and offering social connection through artistic achievement.
Our purpose is driven by the transformative effects we witness when young adults with unique abilities unlock their creative potential.
Together, we are making a deep impact on the lives of young adults with unique abilities and in exchange, our Creatives are paving a path for neurodiversity in the textile and visual arts.
The Fountain is the space for youth contributors and youth-related topics.
To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with "The Fountain" in the subject line.
Launching The Brain Coast Vision
FAU Stiles-Nicholson scientists and Computational Brain Science and Health Fellows sponsored by Palm Health Foundation shared the journeys that led them to dedicate their lives to advancing treatment for brain disorders as varied as depression, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and more at last year's Train the Brain keynote event, "Launching the Brain Coast Vision."
Speakers:
• Dr. Randy Blakely, Executive Director, Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at FAU
• Dr. Cristina Fenollar Ferrer, Researcher at Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at FAU
• Yosoon Yun, PHF Computational Brain Health Graduate Fellow
• Gianna Cannestro, PHF Computational Brain Health Graduate Fellow
• Dr. Nicole Baganz, Assistant Director, Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at FAU
From community events to county-wide campaigns, The Real shows us what’s really going on in the county.
Submit your event photos or news to thewell@bewellpbc.org.
“(This grant)...supports initiatives that promote active living, healthy eating, mental health awareness, and access to preventive care, all essential to maintaining independence and dignity as we age.”
Healthy Aging in Boynton Beach
A Healthier Boynton Beach initiative supported by the CVS Health Foundation
By Bentoria Murray, Program Manager Healthier Boynton Beach | healthierboyntonbeach.org/ | @healthier.boyntonbeach
At Healthier Boynton Beach, our mission has always been rooted in promoting the well-being of our community, with a focus on supporting caregivers, improving access to resources, and empowering residents to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
We are thrilled to have been awarded the Healthy Aging grant, generously funded by CVS Health Foundation, which will allow us to expand our reach and deepen our impact on older adults and caregivers in Boynton Beach.
The Healthy Aging grant is designed to improve health outcomes and quality of life for older adults by increasing access to resources, education, and activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Through the support of CVS Health Foundation, this grant provides us with the means to strengthen our programs, collaborate with local partners and address the unique needs of our aging population.
Healthy aging is about more than living longer, it's about living better.
In Boynton Beach, many older residents face challenges such as social isolation, chronic health conditions, and limited access to health-promoting activities. For caregivers, the demands of supporting a loved one can lead to stress, burnout, and difficulty maintaining their own health.
This grant is important because it allows us to create opportunities for older adults and caregivers to connect, learn and thrive. It supports initiatives that promote active living, healthy eating, mental health awareness, and access to preventive care, all essential to maintaining independence and dignity as we age.
“Our approach will be collaborative, working alongside community partners, healthcare providers, and residents to ensure these programs are relevant, accessible, and impactful.”
With the Healthy Aging grant, Healthier Boynton Beach will implement programs and initiatives that directly address the needs of our community:
• Wellness Workshops & Classes – Offering educational sessions on nutrition, exercise, mental wellness, and chronic disease prevention.
• Caregiver Support & Respite Opportunities –Providing caregivers with resources, peer support groups, and opportunities for rest and self-care.
• Community Engagement Activities – Organizing events that bring older adults together to build social connections and combat isolation.
• Resource Navigation – Helping residents access available health services, benefits, and local programs.
Our approach will be collaborative, working alongside community partners, healthcare providers, and residents to ensure these programs are relevant, accessible, and impactful.
The Healthy Aging grant is more than just funding, it is a step toward creating a community where older adults and caregivers feel supported, valued, and equipped to live their best lives.
We are deeply grateful to CVS Health Foundation for believing in our mission and for investing in the health of Boynton Beach.
As we move forward, we remain committed to serving with compassion, intentionality, and a shared vision of a healthier, stronger community for all generations.
The Word is a broad topic space for contributing writers (a.k.a the community) to share your stories of behavioral health or anything selfcare related i.e. fitness, health, educational, parenting, hobbies, wellness, etc. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc. org with "The Word" in the subject line.
/ THE RESERVOIR
Where Play Meets Purpose: Nurturing Brain Health Through the Power of Play
By Miriam Naranjo, Executive Director, Schoolhouse Children’s Museum | schoolhousemuseum.org | @SchoolhouseMuseum
At the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, every day is an invitation to wonder.
Since opening our doors over two decades ago in the historic 1913 Boynton Schoolhouse, we’ve been inspiring Palm Beach County's youngest learners through the power of play. What started as a small local gem has grown into a vibrant cultural and educational hub - serving thousands of families through hands-on exhibits, early childhood enrichment classes, school field trips and dynamic community outreach.
Our programs are as diverse as the families we serve. From messy science experiments and creative movement classes to music circles and literacy-based activities, each experience is intentionally crafted for children under 8 - the age when the brain is most rapidly developing.
Our exhibits encourage role play and curiosity. And our outreach brings these same experiences beyond our walls, partnering with schools, libraries, and local organizations to spark joy and learning wherever families are.
But beneath the fun, something profound is happening.
Children are doing far more than playing—they’re building strong, flexible brains. Research shows that the early years are a critical window for brain development. Experiences during this time shape emotional regulation, cognitive skills, and social abilities that last a lifetime. That’s why we don’t just provide play opportunities—we create environments rich in relationships, curiosity and confidence-building.
Every exhibit, every class, every field trip is rooted in evidence-based approaches to support whole-child development.
When children engage with our exhibits or join one of our enrichment programs, they’re strengthening neural pathways that support memory, attention, creativity, and empathy. They're learning to take turns, solve problems, and express their feelings—skills that build the foundation for lifelong mental wellness. In a world that can feel overwhelming, the museum offers a place to slow down. A space to be silly, brave, curious, and calm. To explore big feelings and take small, safe risks. Through play, children practice resilience and form bonds that matter—for their brains and their hearts.
And the impact extends beyond children. For caregivers, the museum is a trusted partner - a place to connect, recharge, and feel supported in the joyful (and sometimes messy) work of raising little humans. We create opportunities for families to grow together, not just in knowledge, but in confidence and connection.
We are proud to bring people together across generations and zip codes. We believe healthy communities start with healthy childhoods - and healthy childhoods start with safe, stimulating environments and lots of laughter.
Play isn’t just what we do - it’s who we are. And through it, we’re nurturing the thinkers, feelers, and leaders of tomorrow.
“When children engage with our exhibits or join one of our enrichment programs, they’re strengthening neural pathways that support memory, attention, creativity, and empathy.”
The Reservoir is the cultural space for contributors to highlight customs, celebrations, holidays, rituals, and more. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc. org with "The Reservoir" in the subject line.
“(Palm Health Foundation)... shares our same mission of promoting healthier lives for communities, but also leading the path for better brain health and the awareness of the arts and their impact on our health.”
Nurturing the Mind, Honoring the Heart: A
Community Approach to Better Brain Health In Palm Beach County
By Deborah Germain, Claudia Moore and Shania Leclerc Josaphat | umiamibrainhealth.org | @UMiamiCCBH
The University of Miami Comprehensive Center for Brain Health’s (CCBH) focus and mission is increasing awareness of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and observational human subject-based research.
We are part of the Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurology but in Boca Raton, we approach brain health in a personal way.
Palm Beach County is a melting pot of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and narratives and just like brain health not everyone is the same.
Our feature study is the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI). Everyone gets a personalized plan and approach on their individual life and health history. No one gets the same plan, and it even evaluates aspects like hearing, smelling, sleep apnea and physical performance. We ask questions about their home life, activities they enjoy, and speak to an individual that is close to them to cultivate a detailed blueprint about their life.
Our center was founded on the principle that all individuals should be able to build a better brain. In the past, brain health has been a topic that was highly stigmatized and considered to be taboo in many cultures. We wanted to utilize that same principle and our approach to research in order to personalize our community outreach. Transitioning from just activities to engagement, we are able to promote long term healthy brain aging while also enriching the lives of the older adults we work with.
Palm Health Foundation have been great partners; through their support, we were able to expand our outreach offerings to even new art forms like upcoming folklore skirt dances, jazz enrichment, spoken word activities, and more. Without their support we would not be able to impact the lives of so many older adults. They share our mission of promoting healthier lives for communities, but also leading the path for better brain health and the awareness of the arts and their impact on our health.
We wanted our outreach to be reflective of the activities our communities are passionate about and remind them of home. We blend activities that we know are proven to boost cognitive health with cherished activities that individuals may have already been doing or have done during their childhood.
We do an array of activities such as dominos and spades tournaments, which many individuals grew up playing with their family members and neighbors, which created some of their fondest memories. Presently, they can play a cherished game with their current neighbors and newfound family and friends as they reflect on the people they were in the past. We also use elements of our brain health assessments to incorporate storytelling to not just teach older adults about short-term and long-term memory but also have them resonate with elements of the story we tell them. Each story is unique and coincides with either the city we are in at the given time or a popular topic. After the activity, older adults chat with each other about what they liked or what memories resurfaced for them.
We have also woven the arts into our brain health programming, using music with traditional Latin and familiar songs that transport individuals to earlier moments in life. Many older adults share how these songs bring back cherished memories like cooking with a parent, serenading in the square, or simply reliving a part of themselves they hadn’t touched in years.
Alongside music, we introduce new art activities like Zentangle and Neurographica, evidence-based practices, which they can explore for the first time together. Through these offerings, participants not only discover new skills or reconnect with beloved traditions, they also put their brain health first protecting treasured memories while creating new ones, building connections, and celebrating the communities they love.
The Depth digs deep into faith and fellowship at the neighborhood level. Email thewell@bewellpbc.org with "The Depth" in the subject line for a chance to be featured.
Every Mom Deserves a Village
By Jan Bogie, LMHC, IMH-E, Senior Clinical Director | Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc.| @hmhbpalmbeach
The postpartum period is often described as a time of joy and bonding, a time where moms “fall in love” with their babies.
But, for many mothers, it is also a time of vulnerability, uncertainty, and emotional difficulty. The physical recovery from childbirth, the demands of caring for a newborn, and the hormonal shifts can create a perfect storm that deeply affects maternal mental health.
When moms have pre-existing mental health concerns, lack of support, or other risk factors, there is a greater likelihood that maternal mental health symptoms will occur. Many people believe these moms need a therapist, which may be true, but is not the only option. Other sources of support are available and can positively impact moms and babies, including doulas and support groups.
Through the Stronger Together Doula Support and Circle of Moms programs of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies - our organization has the honor of supporting women during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
These programs offer opportunities to support moms who enter motherhood with excitement, but instead find the transition overwhelming or defeating.
Sleepless nights, crying infants, breastfeeding challenges, and feelings of isolation affect the mental health of mothers—who are often the primary caretaker in the postpartum period.
HMHB’s doulas are community-based individuals who are trained to provide continuous social, emotional and educational support to a mother during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Our doulas help moms prepare a birth plan, provide physical comfort techniques through massage and breathing exercises during labor, advocate for mom's needs with medical staff, and help navigate the practical aspects of newborn care and mom’s recovery.
Our Circle of Moms groups provide emotional support and teach coping skills while also helping mothers build connections and foster supportive relationships with one another.
Photo by RDNE Stock project
“This kind of support is not a luxury— it’s a necessity. Maternal mental health is foundational to the well-being of mothers, babies, and families. When mothers are supported emotionally and practically, they are better equipped to bond with their babies, make healthy decisions, and recover more fully.”
This kind of support is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Maternal mental health is foundational to the well-being of mothers, babies, and families. When mothers are supported emotionally and practically, they are better equipped to bond with their babies, make healthy decisions, and recover more fully.
As we continue to expand our Doula and Circle of Moms programs, we remain committed to honoring the perinatal journey in all its complexity. HMHB believes that early care is everything and that every mother deserves to enjoy her perinatal experience.
Every mom deserves a village.
For more information on the Doula or Circle of Moms programs at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, visit www.hmhbpbc.org.
The Providers is a space for providers, practitioners, thought leaders, and systems change leaders to share. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with "For The Providers" in the subject line.
Nurse-Family Partnership in Palm Beach County
By Lee Reeves Hutchinson, MSN, BSN, RN, FCCM Director - Maternal Child Health Division, Florida Department
nurse-family-partnership/ | @changentorg
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program was launched in Palm Beach County in 2008. Managed by the Florida Department of Health and fully funded by the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, NFP provides free, voluntary nurse home-visiting services to first-time mothers. Support begins during pregnancy and continues until the child’s second birthday. Since its inception, the program has served more than 3,000 families in Palm Beach County.
Built on more than 45 years of evidence-based practice, the NFP model is rooted in the science of human and brain development. Its outcomes consistently demonstrate improvements in maternal health, child development, family stability, and long-term success. With health equity at its core, the program ensures that all families, particularly those facing systemic and socioeconomic barriers receive the
support
they need to thrive.
of Health | changent.org/what-we-do/
At the heart of NFP is the long-term relationship between specially trained registered nurses and families. Over the course of two and a half years, nurses provide personcentered, strength-based care, meeting families where they are and supporting them in building their vision for the future. These trusted relationships focus on:
• Healthy pregnancies and births through education and preventive care.
• Child health and development by tracking milestones and addressing concerns early.
• Family stability and self-sufficiency through coaching, goal setting, and connection to community resources.
Photo
Nurses offer health education, screenings, interventions, case management, and referrals, while also providing anticipatory guidance and continuous support. Their work has been shown to reduce preterm births, low birth weight, and infant mortality, while strengthening parenting skills and family resilience.
Families receive regular home visits weekly, bi-monthly, and monthly throughout the program. This consistent support helps reduce toxic stress, promote nurturing parent-child relationships, and improve long-term outcomes. By addressing both parent and child needs together, NFP takes a dual-generation approach that breaks cycles of poverty, poor health, and trauma.
Each year, NFP Palm Beach County hosts a graduation ceremony to honor families who complete the program. Children proudly wear caps and gowns, families receive framed graduation photos, and extended family members join in the celebration. These milestones highlight the dedication of first-time parents and the lasting impact of NFP in strengthening families across the community.
"Since its inception, the program has served more than 3,000 families in Palm Beach County."
First-time mothers in Palm Beach County or those supporting them can learn more about the Nurse-Family Partnership program by contacting:
Florida Department of Health – Palm Beach County Phone: (561) 671-4140
First-time mothers in Palm Beach County can be referred to Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) of Palm Beach County to access NFP services:
HMHB Coalition of Palm Beach County Phone: (561)-665-4500
Beyond The Couch highlights non-traditional mental health outlets and resources in Palm Beach County. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with "Beyond the Couch" in the subject line.
Nurse Family Partnership Annual Graduation Ceremony June 5th, 2025
From Scholarship to Service:
How a Palm Health Foundation Nursing Scholar Is Advancing Geriatric Memory and Wellness Care in Palm Beach County
By Melanie Otero
Alice Brumley was a practicing nurse in 2020, when working in a hospital was a scary place to be. Receiving a scholarship from The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation enabled her to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus in geriatrics feeling assured and supported during a dark period.
“The scholarship gave me certainty in an uncertain time,” Brumley said. “Nurses were leaving the field because of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than financial support, it was knowing that someone believed in me, and my community was supporting me.”
Brumley’s scholarship support advanced her path and her expertise in geriatrics, a field dedicated to supporting individuals through a stage of life often defined by its own unique uncertainties.
“I saw individuals suffering from strokes or dementia who were alone,” she said. “They were in a cycle of getting sick, returning to the hospital for long stays, and not understanding what medications they were on,” she said.
“Navigating the system is so hard for us; imagine how it is for people with cognitive changes who don’t have any family close by.”
Brumley’s bedside experience, scholarship-funded DNP studies, and primary practice work prepared her for the leadership role she recently attained as the interim director of The Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. She is passionate about the center’s mission to meet the complex needs of persons with memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and their families.
The center provides individuals and their families compassionate and innovative programs of care, research, and education. Brumley sees a significant opportunity to tie the center’s vast offerings together with local neurologists, community organizations, and families to make the greatest impact at both the system and individual level.
“We have been doing so much community outreach and networking that it feels like a new chapter,” Brumley said. “We’re becoming a stronger network to support one another and share the most up-to-date information with our patients about research, clinical trials, treatment and new infusion therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, available resources, respite care, and how to navigate the system better.”
Early signs are showing positive effects on the center’s patients—and where opportunities remain.
“When people with mild cognitive impairment engage in all the necessary resources available, it makes a profound difference in either slowing their progression or improving their cognition,” Brumley said. “On the other side, we might see a patient a year later, and there is a decline in their condition. When we ask why, we often find that some barriers were as simple as the patient or family member needing to follow up on our referral. Now, we’re working to eliminate barriers by strengthening community partnerships and implementing warm hand-offs, ensuring the next steps are seamlessly handled rather than left to the patient.”
Brumley is deeply grateful for the scholarship that paved the way to her “dream job,” where she serves the community by supporting patients who still have so much life to experience and wisdom to share. It’s given her the ability to support seniors to have a better chance to enjoy their grandchildren, age in place, and share their legacies—some of Brumley’s most cherished moments.
“People at this life stage find fulfillment by sharing their wisdom," she said. "That's part of their healing. They gain from telling me their stories, but I'm gaining just as much."
Support Compassionate Behavioral Health Profession Students Like Alice. Every dollar matched now through October 31!
There is no better time to show how much you care about creating a compassionate behavioral health workforce in Palm Beach County than right now. Through October 31, 2025, your gift to Palm Health Foundation’s Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions will be matched dollarfor-dollar, up to $10,000 per donation. Give today and your gift will go directly to providing financial support for those seeking bachelor’s and advanced degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas. Learn more at PalmHealthFoundation.org/scholarshipmatch, or contact Carrie Browne at CarrieB@ phfpbc.org.
Learn simple, science-supported arts practices for building emotional resilience and supporting brain health.
Discover the hidden impact of stress on the body, brain, and behavior before sampling proven artsbased techniques for helping your brain return to its calmer state (homeostasis)
Learn new ways to build emotional resiliency through free-association drawing, contemplative art gazing, poetry, music, rhythmic movement, and mindfulness practices there’s something for everyone!
Coffee & Refreshments
Panel Discussion
Interactive neuroarts experiences
October 8, 2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Armory Art Center
811 Park Place
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
“It was incredibly motivating to know that someone was willing to invest in me becoming the community servant I always wanted to be.”
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Alice Brumley, interim director of The Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
PALM HEALTH FOUNDATION’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS
“The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, easing my financial strain and allowing me to dive fully into my studies. Her support led me to my dream job, a career dedicated to meeting the complex needs of people with memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and supporting their families. Now I use my skills to help seniors enjoy more time with their grandchildren, age in place, and share their life stories.
Supporting behavioral health through a gift to Palm Health Foundation isn’t just helping a student — it’s investing in how we care for our community. Your gift ensures we have the well-trained, compassionate professionals South Florida needs today and in the years ahead.”
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS MATCHED NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 31!
There is no better time to show how much you care about creating a compassionate behavioral health workforce in Palm Beach County than right now. Through October 31, 2025, your gift to Palm Health Foundation’s Scholarship Fund for Mental Health Professions will be matched dollarfor-dollar, up to $10,000 per donation. Give today and your gift will go directly to providing financial support for those seeking bachelor’s and advanced degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas. You may also create a named fund like Deborah’s — a personal and powerful way to invest in scholars in need.
Learn more at PalmHealthFoundation.org/scholarshipmatch or contact Carrie Browne at CarrieB@phfpbc.org.
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Community Partners of South Florida - Kelly Powell
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TRAIN
THE BRAIN: Neuroscience Community Conversation
Saturday, Oct. 25
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Doors open at 8 a.m. Program begins promptly at 9 a.m.
Body, Mind & Brain Lessons Across the Lifespan
Florida Atlantic University’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute invites you to attend an exciting, half-day Train the Brain Community Conversation to explore how body and brain collaborate to support brain function, health and promote resiliency.
Hear from prominent, front-line brain researchers from across the country whose exciting work is revealing the significance of body-brain connections throughout life, with lessons that can improve and sustain brain health .
View the full line-up of speakers and topics. Registration is free.
This event is presented with support from Palm Health Foundation as part of the Train the Brain series. INTERACTIVE SESSIONS REFRESHMENTS & LUNCH!
Directions & parking Register Required! Scan or visit www.fau.edu/brain.
Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute on FAU’s John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter
Join us for a special event designed to empower caregivers with practical, science-based tips to suppor t brain heal th and emotional well-being at home.
For Kids:
Yoga to promote calm focus and body awareness
Art Class to spark creativity and self expression
Music Circle to encourage connection, joy, and brain growth
For Caregivers:
Interactive sessions with research-backed strategies for nurturing emotional health
Guidance from experts on fostering brain health
Tools you can start using the very same day
Presented in partnership with:
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Boynton Beach Arts and Cultural Center 125 E Ocean Ave, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Snacks and refreshments will be provided
This is a FREE event for all ages. Online booking is required
