Guardian Angel Grant restores independence.

Michelle’s story

At the age of 58, Michelle suffered a stroke which left her wheelchair bound. For three years, Michelle faced significant mobility challenges that were greatly impacting her wellbeing. She needed a motorized wheelchair to be able to care for herself more safely and independently. But even with insurance, the co-pay for a motorized wheelchair was more than she could afford. That’s where the Compassionate Care Fund came in.

Agnes Sanders, MSW, a social worker with Health First Health Plans worked closely with Michelle and her husband, Dexter. Together they researched all the options, including used equipment from Goodwill, Aging Matters, Mutual Aid of Brevard and more. It was then that Agnes applied for a Guardian Angel Grant from Health First Foundation to cover the $700 co-pay. “I was so happy when I got the phone call saying that the co-pay for the power chair was covered!” exclaimed Michelle.

"I would like to tell the donors thank you. Even though it’s just a chair, you’ve made me ecstatic! I’m so happy I can get around. I can do things I used to do,” shared Michelle.

“I can get into my office and kitchen easier; I can go to the refrigerator, make coffee, and wash out my coffee cup on my own. There are a lot of different things I can do around the house, including heating up my meals if my husband isn’t there.”

“It doesn’t sound like much but to sit on the porch, let the dog outside, and go get the mail by herself without waiting for me has restored Michelle’s independence,” said Dexter.

“We always treat people the way we hope to be treated, and now it has returned, and we thank you. It’s a lot we’ve been through. Mentally. Physically. We’re happy to be here still. We’re thankful for the way we’ve been treated. So, anything we can do to help pay it forward we will,” said Dexter. “People may not realize the impact they make. But even the smallest gifts really do make a difference.”

Guardian Angel Grants are made possible through donations to the Compassionate Care Fund. These grants help bridge the barriers to healing and living well, including assistance with transportation, prescriptions, and medical equipment. To learn more, visit hf.org/give.

 

Vital Aging Services made possible by support of the Health First Golf Classic.

April 8, 2024, was a great day for golf and an even better day for Health First’s Aging Services. The annual event raised $383,140 which will help bring peace of mind to individuals and their families navigating dementia and aging related issues — all at no cost to them.

• 100% of event proceeds were directed to Aging Services and the Center for Family Caregivers to provide vital services, including: Comprehensive memory evaluation and management.
• Future planning and seamless care coordination among family members and physicians.
• Education and guidance on medication. 
• Fall prevention education, complete with gait and balance examination and treatment.
• Caregiver classes, resource library, and support groups.
• Programs for caregivers and loved ones to enjoy together like art and music therapy.

“We are so grateful to the Golf Classic Committee, Chairman Barry Forbes, our generous sponsors, and volunteers. Community support for Health First’s Golf Classic makes it possible to provide the programs and services that support seniors and their caregivers every day,” shared Chris Kern, Vice President, Foundation and Community Benefit.

“Gilbane Building Company is thrilled to support the Health First Golf Classic again this year. We stand united with the Foundation in its noble mission to enhance the well-being of our senior community through Health First’s Aging Services, providing crucial healthcare, programs, and resources to families and caregivers. The unwavering support of the community has enabled the Foundation to elevate this exceptional event to new heights, surpassing our expectations. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Foundation for yet another successful year making a meaningful impact on the Brevard community in a truly remarkable manner,” Shane Burnsed, Central Florida Business Leader, Gilbane Building Company.

Bringing moments of joy for seniors and caregivers.

When Josephine moved to Brevard County in 1988 from New York City, she was looking for a fresh start. She worked in a banking so when she arrived and saw a church and bank on every corner in Brevard, she knew she’d have both employment and community. After retiring in 2007, a new adventure began. She decided to give online dating a try and found true love. Donald and Josephine have now been married for 14 years.

Donald’s memory issues started with cognitive impairment and atrophy of the frontal lobe two years ago. Now his condition has advanced to dementia.

“I always tell people about the care from Dr. Visa, the education from Pat DeAngelis, RN, and the support we receive at the Center for Family Caregivers,” said Josephine. “I learned a lot about the changes to expect overtime with Donald’s brain and how to cope.”

“The classes are amazing. If you know someone impacted by dementia, you should attend. It will help you understand what’s going on in your loved one’s mind and give you resources.”

On Thursdays, Josephine attends the caregiver support group. She shared that it is more than information or solidarity — she truly feels the members have become her friends.

“I never thought I’d be caring for someone with memory issues, but it’s worth it. With all this help, I can do it. I never miss a Thursday,” Josephine shared. “Even on the way to the support group, I can feel the stress melt right off me. It has been life changing.”

Donald loves the painting class and Josephine appreciates that they can enjoy this activity together.

With donor support, we can continue to offer free classes and support groups for these selfless caregivers and their loved ones.

“I don’t think I could have done this without the Center for Family Caregivers and that’s why I give back. It’s not much, but every dollar makes a difference for this important work,” said Josephine Flynn.

Because of friends like you, caregivers are provided critical support at every stage of their loved one’s care — addressing an array of challenges to provide the resources they need. Donor support strengthens our programs and ultimately provides the gift of healing and hope for our caregivers and their loved ones.

Donor support makes a difference.

Philip Schwarz has supported the Health First Foundation the past nine years. One of the things that touches his heart is Aging Services. He gives regularly and recently sponsored two art classes. “I’m a fan of Health First, and there is a need for help in aging services. I give and I will give again,” shared Philip.

 

“We grow through what we go through.”

Donor support makes healing possible for 60 grieving children at Camp Bright Star.

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Camp Bright Star welcomed over 60 campers to Gleason Park — our highest enrollment yet! The theme was “We Grow Through What We Go Through” and volunteers and bereavement specialists created a day filled with interactive activities to experience in the “grief garden.”

Donor support helped ensure child had the activities and supplies needed to help them find power in the flowers, connect with their peers, honor their loved ones, and process their grief — at no cost to them.

This included grief education and support, games, pet and music therapy, arts and crafts, and painting with artists Nikki and Chris Maslow.

“We hope that they have a new way to remember their person. Because kids forget, right? They say, ‘I don’t really remember what his voice sounded like. His smile, the way he walked.’ So, they take home things they create at camp, and those creations represent their fun day of activities and offer new ways to remember and continue to love their person,” shared Nicolle Conley, Bright Star’s Bereavement Coordinator.

Each child received a tie dye t-shirt, bag, book, and a portfolio containing the art projects they created (like tambourines, flowers, and windchimes).

“They get to play and have fun, but in every activity, there is a therapeutic underpinning,” said Nicolle. “There is therapy. There’s the process of memorializing. There is telling the story of the person they lost — all of that is wrapped up in that day, and it sits with them. So, there is a lot of healing that can happen between camps.”

All Bright Star programs, including camps, are offered at no cost to our community because of gifts made to the Health First Foundation. Thanks to philanthropic support, grieving children have the activities and supplies that help them process their grief, all led by the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families — right here, close to home.

“Bright Star was a great service that my granddaughter utilized over several years when her grandmother passed away in 2012 when she was six years old,” shared Patrick Pilosi. “I give because I believe it is a great program that will positively impact many children in the future.”

The Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families, located at 1131 W. New Haven Ave. in West Melbourne, is a place for teens and children (ages five and up) who have experienced the loss of a loved one. This specialized grief support program meets twice monthly for 90 minutes, empowering young people to thrive after loss through emotional support, learning and creative play. Camp Bright Star offers three camps per year for youth. These include one-day camps in the spring and fall as well as a four-day camp in the summer. To learn more about volunteering at Bright Star or enrolling a loved one, call 321.434.7622. To give to Bright Star, visit hf.org/give.

 

Cancer-free thanks to TrueBeam. 

There is a special and warm place in Jack Lee’s heart for TrueBeam Linear Accelerators and all who work with and maintain this advanced radiation technology. Jack explained that the staff always seemed on top of their game, sincerely happy to see him, and were willing to answer his questions about the treatment and equipment. Jack, a grateful patient, knew he wanted to share his story and help advance medical technology with a gift to the Health First Foundation. 

“I received forty-five doses of radiation for prostate cancer from one of the linear accelerators. After exiting the chamber for the final time, I walked into a cloud of bubbles greeted by a crowd of employees wishing me well. I even received a certificate of congratulations, which I treasure, signed by everyone at the center,” Jack recounted. 

“Dr. Golden then spoke one of the most beautiful phrases in our language: ‘cancer-free.’” 

“Thanks to our community’s support of advanced medical technology, Health First has upgraded their system to incorporate one of the most effective advancements in radiation therapy. Treatments that once took 10 to 30 minutes can now be completed in two to seven minutes, due to Identify, a Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT),” shared Michael Seeley, Health First Foundation President. 

“This technology precisely tracks a patient’s position and motion with sub-millimeter accuracy. It images while treating, accounts for movements, and radiation is only activated when the patient is correctly in place,” said Andy Winningham, Ph.D., Director, Radiation Services. “This means enhanced accuracy of treatment and less damage to normal tissue, as well as improved speed, comfort, and patient safety.” 

Because of your generosity and TrueBeam, Jack is cancer-free. If you or a loved one needed cancer treatment, you’d also want the best technology available. You’d want the kind of radiation that provides precision, accuracy, and the most promising treatment outcomes. 

Thankfully, with our TrueBeam Linear Accelerator — one of the most innovative and precise systems for the treatment of all types of cancer — you get all three. If you would like to join Jack in supporting cancer services at Health First, visit hf.org/give. 

You drive compassionate care. 

A cancer diagnosis is scary enough, but what happens when you also lose your support system and are without transportation?  

When Joe Graham found out he had laryngeal cancer (a type of cancer that affects the larynx or voice box), he knew he could be “worried, angry, or stubbornly positive.” Joe was determined to be positive, but when the person he thought he could count on for support could not cope with his diagnosis, he was left without rides to his appointments. Because of you, all that changed. 

Joe had two “angels” on his side — donors to the Health First Foundation’s Compassionate Care Fund, and his oncology nurse, Kim Hargrove, who connected him with a Guardian Angel Grant. 

After his larynx removal, Joe received daily radiation treatments for seven weeks and continues to see specialists at the Health First Cancer Institute and Health First Medical Group. That care and treatment is all made possible because of a Guardian Angel Grant that covered Joe’s transportation. Your generosity drives compassionate care. “All people deserve a fair chance to beat cancer,” said Hargrove. “I strive to be an advocate to our patients and have been so impressed with the resources Health First provides.” 

“Kim is my nurse and guardian angel,” Joe said. “She is with me every step of the way. I wouldn’t be able to get to my appointments if it wasn’t for her and your support. I’m so grateful. I haven’t missed an appointment yet!” 

Guardian Angel Grants assist eligible patients with transportation, prescriptions, and medical equipment. These grants are coordinated by our clinical care teams and are made possible by donations to the Health First Foundation’s Compassionate Care Fund.

Your generosity helped save 500 lives. 

Dr. Tamim Antaki, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center, recently performed his 500th robotic surgery — that’s 500 lives improved or saved by advanced cardiac technology; 500 recoveries toward better quality of life made faster; and countless friends and loved ones who will create thousands of new and lasting memories. It’s all thanks, in part, to the skilled hands and expertise of Dr. Antaki and his surgical team at Holmes Regional Medical Center.  

Dr. Antaki and his team are quick to recognize the community’s ongoing support of advanced cardiac technology including the da Vinci robot and our electrophysiology lab. These advances have improved patient outcomes, including those with atrial fibrillation. 

“This journey to 500 has been incredibly rewarding, delivering good outcomes to happy patients, providing quality services, and developing new programs,” said Antaki.  

“The da Vinci robot has been so helpful in the creation of our program involving the closure of the left atrial appendage for patients who don’t qualify for the catheter-based WATCHMAN device. The da Vinci helps us provide consistent closure with good results. And Health First is one of the largest centers in the world offering this service,” Antaki continued. 

Because of your continued support of advanced medical technology, our patients can rest easy knowing Health First offers both the very best technology and a team of exceptionally well-trained, compassionate providers who care deeply and want the very best outcomes for our patients on their wellness journey. 

As we celebrate Dr. Antaki’s 500th robotic surgery, we also celebrate the generosity of donors who have made these milestones possible through their philanthropic gifts to the Health First Foundation. 

We couldn’t do this without you. 

 Since 2014, Health First has successfully performed 12,000 robotic surgeries. With robotic surgery, the surgeon is in control the whole time and the robot responds to their directions in real time. Tiny incisions are made, and miniaturized instruments — including a tiny high-definition 3D camera — are inserted for the surgeon to manipulate from a nearby console. Patients who undergo robotics-assisted surgeries have a length-of-stay in a Health First hospital of approximately 1.5 days versus the national average for standard, large incision “open” surgeries of 5 to 15 days. 

Heart Patient Pumped About Cardiac Rehab Success. 

For Jeanne Fleckner, what started out as an irregular heartbeat turned into an open sternotomy aortic valve replacement at Holmes Regional Medical Center. After surgery, she could only walk 15 feet before she needed to rest. 

Jeanne began the Cardiac Rehab Program in June and in November she joyfully celebrated her 82nd birthday as a Cardiac Rehab graduate. Her heart’s pumping rate improved 300%, she was walking farther without losing her breath and even got back to mowing the lawn! She is pumped about her Cardiac Rehab success and couldn’t be any happier! 

“This is definitely how you get better after going through something like this with your heart,” Jeanne said. “The program and the routine are what helped me recover from this.” 

Support for the Health First Foundation helps patients discharged from the hospital after a cardiac event or surgery align their lifestyles in a way that’s best for their heart. This life-changing team includes medical directors, physicians, nurses, and exercise physiologists who help get patients on the path to a healthier heart. 

We want you to know the lasting impact your generosity has on patients, like Jeanne. Read Jeanne’s full story in Space Coast Daily. 

Viz.ai key to saving life of 23 year-old Airman. 

What started out as a trip to the beach with friends turned into a broken neck and trauma-induced stroke for 23-year-old U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Wesley Smith. When Wesley arrived at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center, his basilar artery was ballooning due to damage from the accident and preventing the flow of oxygenated blood to his brain. 

But thanks to the advanced medical technology made possible through donations to the Health First Foundation, Wesley had artificial intelligence on his side. A stroke identification tool known as Viz.ai was key to saving his life, because the neuroendovascular team was able to act immediately. 

They performed a thrombectomy and inserted a stent in Smith’s basilar artery to remove a blood clot and reverse the stroke. Holmes Regional Medical Center is the only thrombectomy-capable stroke center in Brevard County. 

“I don’t think many people realize that a trauma can cause injury to the blood vessels in the neck and head, which can cause a stroke, and that is what happened to Wesley,” said Samantha Westervelt, a Nurse Practitioner for neuroendovascular surgery at Health First. 

Strokes can often leave patients with long-term challenges such as loss of speech or paralysis, but when Smith woke the next morning – incredibly – he “felt normal.” 

Support for the Health First Foundation helps improve medical technology and leads to better outcomes. We want you to know the lasting impact your generosity has on patients, like Wesley. Read his full story in Florida Today. 

$90,000 in scholarship funds awarded to 35 aspiring nurses. 

Thanks to donors like you, nearly $90,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to 35 Health First associates to support their commitment to exceptional patient care through education. The Health First Nursing Excellence Fund provides nursing scholarships to Health First associates seeking to advance their knowledge and skills to provide the best care for our community. 

“As care providers and patient advocates, nurses are invaluable to Health First and to the community we are honored to serve. Education is a pivotal component of nursing, and as we prepare more associates to become nurses or advance their education, community support is critical, said Cheyana Fischer, Chief Nursing Officer. “These scholarships help ensure the continued growth of our associates to provide the best patient care, so we are grateful for your support.” 

Community support ensures scholarship funds are available for deserving nurses including Whitney and Brooke. 

Whitney Adkins, RN serves as a neuroscience coordinator. She describes her role as an educator, nurse, and role model. “I would like to say how wonderful the opportunities are that you are granting so many nurses. I am extremely grateful to receive a scholarship for the 2023-2024 school year. I have always had the intention of finishing my BSN, but there have been many roadblocks along the way. Thanks to the Foundation, I am now enrolled back into school, ready to conquer this last year. Completion of this degree will lend me more knowledge and skills to allow me to grow and support my peers and patients. Thank you again for this gift,” said Whitney. 

Brooke Andrezze, RN serves as a peri-operative nurse caring for patients before, during, and after surgery at Holmes Regional Medical Center. “Thank you for selecting me as one of the nursing scholarship recipients. As an RN with nearly ten years with Health First, I have been encouraged to strive for more and grow with my department. I will be taking my last course this fall and look forward to being able to contribute more as an RN/BSN in the operating room. With the help of this scholarship, I can complete the program by the end of the year. I am truly grateful,” said. 

The generosity of our community leaves a lasting impact on nurses like Whitney and Brooke. This support sustains our level of excellence, strengthens our hospitals and services, and provides the gift of healing and hope to our community. 

You gave her grief a voice – and helped her heal. 

Ainsley (10) was unable to talk about her brother’s death. At the mention of his name, she would cover her ears. That’s where your gift in support of Camp Bright Star came in. When Ainsley was around other grieving children, she knew it was okay to talk about Alex. 

“We weren’t mentally prepared for Alex’s sudden death at just 21 years old due to an undiagnosed heart condition. This ripped our world apart, especially Ainsley’s,” said her mother, Stacy. 

“I don’t think many people realize that Camp Bright Star is not just for children whose loved one has passed away in hospice care – it’s also for those experiencing a more sudden loss,” said Stephanie Larkin, Community Access Manager at Hospice of Health First. “Grieving children and teens deserve a safe place, and we make it our mission to create that here.” 

Your generosity brings Camp Bright Star to life each May and November. Grieving children, from ages 5 to 18 years old, can connect with their peers, express their emotions, and honor their loved ones. They benefit from grief education and support groups, along with enjoying drama, sports, arts and crafts, music, pet therapy, lunch, and more – together. 

One of Ainsley’s favorite parts of camp was meeting the therapy dogs.  

She also loved art therapy. While she was never particularly interested in art prior to her loss, this activity helped her identify all her emotions and share them with her mother. “We can talk about it now,” Ainsley said. Her artwork – a self-portrait – is now displayed next to Alex’s urn. She notices beauty in little things again and knows that Alex is always with her, even in the sunrise. 

We thank you for your support of Camp Bright Star and want you to know the lasting impact you have on children like Ainsley. 

Your gifts are advancing cardiac care.

Joseph, a retired college professor, moved to Brevard County from Mississippi in February 2023 — just three months after he had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). He didn’t have any complications with the procedure and reported feeling fine. But shortly after his move, he experienced shortness of breath and went to Holmes Regional Medical Center, where the Heart Center performs more cardiac procedures than any other hospital in Brevard County. Thanks in part to your generosity, a cardiac MRI was used to find the cause of his shortness of breath and the next course of treatment.

“As a non-invasive cardiologist I depend on advanced cardiac technology to aid with diagnosing cardiac disease. The cardiac MRI is an essential diagnostic modality that I often use across many different cardiac disease states. In fact, one of the factors in deciding to work at Health First was that I would have access to cardiac MRI in the care of my patients,” said Kyeesha Becoats, MD, cardiologist, Health First Medical Group. “The improved accuracy of cardiac MRI over other cardiac diagnostic imaging has allowed it to become the gold standard of imaging the heart and it is an essential tool that I use often in my practice.”

Because of your continued support of advanced medical technology and cardiac rehab, heart patients like Joseph can rest easy knowing Health First offers the best equipment and care to ensure positive outcomes on their wellness journey.

“The cardiac MRI was easy. It turns out I had fluid buildup. I needed Lasix to remove it, diet changes, and cardiac rehab. I received very good care. Everyone was very nice. Very well staffed. People around all the time,” Joseph shared.

According to Health First Medical Group cardiologist Dr. Rick Thompson, the resolution of the cardiac MRI machine far exceeds many of the standard techniques used in most medical centers. “It is an overall more efficient system, providing higher quality images in less time, which allows more patients to be able to undergo such testing,” Dr. Thompson said.

“These improvements are made possible by high-efficiency gradients, improved coils with more channels and new imaging sequences that optimize the time the patient is in the scanner.”

Patient benefits of cardiac MRI include comfortable exam tables, tests completed in 60 minutes or less, more reliable results, and the option for anesthesia for those with severe claustrophobia.

“I want to thank those who have made donations in support of cardiac care. If you’re considering a gift, it’s a worthwhile program to donate to,” shared Joseph.

One of those donors was Dr. Y.T. Chen, who was grateful for the care he received during cardiac rehabilitation. He was particularly impressed with the education component and shared that his wife, Alice, keeps him accountable for eating a healthy breakfast each day. Dr. and Mrs. Chen went beyond traditional gratitude and gave a generous donation to support the cardiac rehab program in honor of his care team.

“We are very grateful for Dr. Chen’s gift. We are considering buying some new exercise equipment to continue helping future patients. I’d like to thank all donors — past, present, and future. The impact of their generosity reinforces and supports our mission here at Health First,” said Darren Hill, Health First Cardiac Rehabilitation Manager.

Cardiac rehab is designed for people discharged from the hospital after a cardiac event. Whether surgery was involved or not, the program assists patients in aligning their lifestyles in a way that’s best for their heart. Think exercise, diet, and psychological mind shifts.

Darren Hill and his team see people of all ages with heart conditions after an illness or surgery. This life changing team includes a medical director, supervising physicians, nurses, and exercise physiologists who help patients implement a heart-healthy lifestyle.

“Cardiac rehab includes exercise training, nutrition education, stress management, and other behavioral interventions to achieve and maintain optimal heart health. Our team creates individualized treatment plans to manage heart disease symptoms like pain and shortness of breath, as well as improve blood flow, build strength and stamina, and reduce the chances of further heart issues,” said Darren.

Gifts to the Health First Foundation advance availability of medical technology like TAVR and Cardiac MRI and support programs like Cardiac Rehab, which has expanded to include locations in both Melbourne and Viera.

Meet SAVI SCOUT.

Advanced medical technology for breast cancer patients

When Shannon Carr was told she needed to undergo a biopsy to determine if she had breast cancer, she trusted in two things — the Health First medical team and her faith.

After being diagnosed during her initial visit, the radiologist told Shannon they could not determine if the area was cancerous and recommended a biopsy. “My first thought was, ‘Did I just hear right, is this really happening?’ Then I said, ‘OK, what’s my next step?’”

It was the SAVI SCOUT.

Health First’s Dr. Mustafa Amani, oncology breast surgeon at the Health First Cancer Institute, informed Shannon of a new breast scanning procedure using the SAVI SCOUT, an innovative technology that zones in to find the exact location of a possible tumor.

SAVI SCOUT pinpoints exactly where a tumor is located prior to surgery. Using a reflector approximately the same size as a grain of rice, the nonradioactive guidance technology guides the surgeon to the exact location of the tumor, like a car’s GPS, and increases the chances of complete tumor removal while saving time and sparing healthy breast tissue.

“The SAVI provides the exact location to remove cancerous growth while preserving the rest of the breast,” said Dr. Amani.

“This procedure replaces the wire localization process we previously used and makes it more comfortable for patients. The reflector device is placed by a radiologist up to a month before surgery, then the SCOUT probe helps show me exactly where the reflector has been placed.”

Placement of the reflector device takes only five minutes. Once embedded, it is used to pinpoint the tumor and facilitate its removal in about an hour. This leads to less pain and a smaller incision after the lumpectomy, compared to the previous methods.

Shannon described the SAVI placement much like the poke received when getting an ear pierced. She said the recovery had little to no pain and minimal downtime. She also had no bruising and little to no swelling afterward. Just three days after the lumpectomy, she was back to feeling like herself.

Shannon is grateful she went through this process with Dr. Amani and his team. “They showed true concern and genuine care, and they were all so helpful. I mean, they acted like I was the only patient they had. It’s totally a journey, but the experience as a whole has been better than I could have expected.”

Life-saving technology such as SAVI SCOUT is supported in part by gifts to the Health First Foundation. Thank you for supporting Health First’s mission of health and wellness for people in our community like Shannon Carr.

This advanced diagnostic capability is made available in part due to your generosity. Having this resource — and a doctor who treated her like family — led Shannon to believe this was the path she was intended to be on.

To learn more about advancing medical technology at Health First like SAVI SCOUT, call the Health First Foundation at 321.434.7353 or visit hf.org/give.

 

Miracle in the making.

Guardian Angels provide lifeline to chemo and radiation treatment through Compassionate Care Fund

Miracles happen every day, thanks to the dedicated teams at Health First and your generous support of our not-for-profit mission. Greg’s story is a miracle in the making. What started as a sore throat and unexplained weight loss ultimately became a cancer diagnosis. Despite his fighting spirit, the effects of his illness rapidly began to take their toll. Greg’s body grew weak, his weight plummeted, and the very treatments that could save his life became impossible to receive.

Greg needed a lifeline right away to regain his strength, get back to a healthy weight, and continue his battle against cancer. Tube feedings, also known as oral nutrition, were the answer. These vital nourishments could provide Greg with the sustenance his body required. However, the cost of such a crucial intervention was a burden that Greg could not bear alone. Can you imagine the weight of worry that accompanies a medical crisis, compounded by the burden of financial strain? Viera Hospital’s Case Management, armed with compassion and determination, sought a solution.

They applied for a Guardian Angel Grant to cover the cost of tube feedings for Greg. They knew that, without this financial support, Greg’s chances of recovery would dwindle, and his fight against cancer would reach an unbearable impasse. Because of you, Greg’s tube feedings were covered for two months. He became healthy enough to resume chemo and radiation.

But Greg faced another roadblock. His 25-year-old truck broke down. He put all his money into fixing up that ‘98 Ford Ranger, but it wouldn’t start. And despite pawning most of what he owned, Greg could not afford to fix it and had no ride to his treatments. Making it to his appointments was critical to survival.

“He still has life to live in him. He’s able to get treatment, but unable to get here,” said Chauntel Martinez, Patient Advocate. And thanks to you, a Guardian Angel Grant covered the cost of transportation to his appointments. “Without the food or transportation Greg needed, he would have had to cancel chemo and radiation — and he wouldn’t be alive today. He’d have missed both his granddaughter’s first birthdays,” she continued.

“My heart goes out to the generous people who give to the Compassionate Care Fund. They are literally giving me a chance to live,” said Greg. “You don’t find as many generous people anymore, as so many people have financial strain these days. But that’s the reason so many can’t get medical care. I’ve been blessed to get the care I need. I’m grateful to be alive. My babies are having babies and I want to live for them. Thank you.”

Your generosity is the difference between life and death for individuals like Greg.

The Compassionate Care Fund serves as a vital lifeline for those most in need. Through Guardian Angel Grants, we provide eligible patients with the support and assistance they need to continue receiving critical medical care such as transportation for life-saving cancer treatments, essential medical equipment, wound care supplies, and more.

Together, we can rally around our community members like Greg, offering them the strength and support they need in their darkest hours. When you give to the Compassionate Care Fund, you give patients like Greg the chance to fight their battles with renewed vigor, knowing that they are not alone.

Greg’s story is a miracle in the making and it’s in our collective compassion that miracles are made. We make a difference, one gift at a time. Thank you for your support of the Compassionate Care Fund. We couldn’t do this without you.

Guardian Angel Grants assist eligible patients with transportation, essential medical supplies, and more. These grants are coordinated by our clinical care teams and made possible by donations to the Foundation’s Compassionate Care Fund. To add your support, visit hf.org/give.

 

Medical Directorship of Aging Services.

Funding enabled by 2023 Health First Golf Classic.

While rain may have impacted the scores at this year’s Golf Classic, you created sunshine for the most vulnerable in our community through donations totaling more than $437,000. 100% of the record-breaking event proceeds went to Aging Services (including the Memory Disorders Clinic and Center for Family Caregivers).

As a result of this successful event, we are pleased to announce the formalized funding for the Medical Directorship of Aging Services.

Through this position, Dr. Visa will be able to continue seeing patients while balancing the medical and administrative leadership activities needed to serve our community.

Thank you to the co-chairs Dana and Briggs Kilborne and Kent Smith, the committee, and volunteers for your continued support.

Save the date for the 2024 Golf Classic on April 8th. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit hf.org/golfclassic.

Thanks for giving. Community support has provided funding for support groups and classes at Center for Family Caregivers.

Young Professionals Group hosts FootGolf event to benefit Compassionate Care Fund.

On October 20, 2023, local young professionals hit the greens at Duran Golf Club for a round of FootGolf to support Health First Foundation’s Compassionate Care Fund. Ranging in age from their early 20s to early 40s, Health First’s Young Professionals Group hosted their now annual event which raised $10,000 for patients in need to help bridge the gap to health and wellness through Guardian Angel Grants. They put the fun in fundraising!

Thanks to everyone who participated including our Title Sponsor W+J Construction, our Food Truck Sponsor Certified Plumbing of Brevard, and our Tee Party Sponsor Universal Engineering Sciences. “The game of FootGolf serves as a means to support the Compassionate Care Fund which strongly resonates with the Young Professionals Group. The Compassionate Care Fund is unique because it identifies and connects community needs with the necessary resources to assist eligible individuals swiftly. Even as a large health system, Health First excels in recognizing and fulfilling these needs, offering transparency for donors,” said Keaton Senti, Vice President of Business Development at IM Solutions.

What is FootGolf, you ask? FootGolf is a sport that combines elements of soccer and golf. In FootGolf, players use their feet to kick a soccer ball into a series of larger holes on a golf course in as few shots as possible.

“FootGolf is a great event that requires no golf or soccer skills to have fun. It’s a good fundraiser for YPG in support of Health First’s Compassionate Care Fund because it’s an opportunity to meet great people, raise awareness of issues our local community members are facing, and provide support for those in need — because everyone deserves the opportunity to heal and live well,” said Christina Morelli, Attorney at GrayRobinson.

The Young Professionals Group meets quarterly for networking and social activities as well as an annual volunteer opportunity. All members share a commitment to supporting a healthier Brevard County. For more information, please visit hf.org/ypg or contact Pamela Shumate at pamela.shumate@hf.org.

Forever a Hero.

Your support honors veterans.

Veteran’s Day gives us an opportunity to recognize those who served to protect our freedom. Hospice of Health First takes that recognition seriously. For 12 years, its Forever a Hero program has honored America’s veterans and their families year-round, growing it to become a Four-Star-rated program through the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s We Honor Veterans program.

Thanks to donors like you, hundreds of veterans are honored with a special ceremony each year through the Forever a Hero program at Hospice of Health First.

The formal pinning ceremonies include a presentation of an American flag pin, a personalized certificate, and a military-folded American flag. This final tribute is of lasting importance to veterans and their families.

“These forever heroes faced their immortality when they were sworn into service,” said Aprille Waldrop, LCSW, Manager of Social Services, Hospice of Health First. “We celebrate veterans at the end of their lives. These are precious moments.”

Susan Miller, Hospice Volunteer Services Coordinator, has led Forever a Hero for more than decade. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving twice — from 1997 to 2001, and again from 2005 to 2011 — finishing, with the 45th Security Forces Squadron out of Patrick Space Force Base.

Susan shared, “The ceremonies are marked at times by laughs and by tears,” she shared. “The only consistency is that each pinning ceremony is ‘totally unique,’ — each special for all involved. Your support makes this possible.”

“We are there to listen to their story,” Susan continued. “It’s not just the ceremony. Sometimes they will tell us things that their family members later say, ‘I have never heard that story before.’” What you do matters. Your generosity helps support programs like Forever a Hero and leaves a lasting impact on people like Aimee when her father was honored.

“Thank you doesn’t even begin to express my gratitude for what you all did for us. I can tell that you all truly are angels helping your patients and their families with this difficult transition for them,” said Aimee after her father’s ceremony.

Your gifts support programs like Forever a Hero to provide a more peaceful ending for veterans and their families.

 

Igo Family Electrophysiology Lab expands Heart Center services in Viera.

Through support for advanced medical technology and Heart & Vascular Services, donors like you have helped pave the way for a much-needed expansion of cardiac services in Viera Hospital. Florida — including Brevard County — has one of the highest rates of hospitalization for cardiac dysrhythmia in patients over 65, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

This illustrates the urgent need for high quality cardiac care in our community — and with philanthropic support, we’re meeting this need by expanding the exceptional services of the Heart Center in Viera with a new electrophysiology (EP) lab at Viera Hospital. Electrophysiologists — also referred to as cardiac electrophysiologists or arrhythmia specialists of EP — are doctors with a specialization in atypical heart rhythms and the electricity of the heart. Electrophysiologists test the electrical activity of your heart to diagnose the source of arrhythmias and to help determine suitable treatment.

Through a bequest from the estate of Myra Igo Haley, this expansion has become possible. The Igo Family EP lab is scheduled to open by late summer 2024 and will be located on the second floor outside of Viera Hospital’s operating rooms and gastroenterology suites. Additional donor support will help update the space with new lights, equipment, and advanced technology, including 3-D mapping to help cardiologists be as precise and efficient as possible during a cardiac ablation to return a heartbeat to the proper rhythm.

The new Igo Family Electrophysiology Lab at Viera Hospital will not only offer EP procedures, but will also provide diagnostic and interventional heart procedures, interventional radiology procedures, and peripheral vascular imaging and interventions. The lab will provide all levels of pacemaker and ICD device implants, low complexity ablations, loop recorder implants, transesophageal echocardiograms (TEEs), and cardioversions.

“Atrial fibrillation is on the rise in the US. In Brevard County, the need for EP services has also increased dramatically — specifically with the growth of the Viera area,” said Gretchen Cassavoy, MSHCM, BSN, RN, Health First Hospital Division Director of Heart and Vascular Services.

Your gifts ensure Health First has continued access to the most advanced technology available to help cardiologists be as precise and efficient as possible as they restore both heart rhythm and peace of mind to those with life-threatening cardiac conditions.

We are honored to recognize the Igo Family for the legacy gift that will name the new Electrophysiology Lab at Health First Viera Hospital, expanding the Heart Center’s specialized cardiac services to the Viera community.

Myra Igo Haley was a community force to be reckoned with. Myra moved to Brevard County in 1992 with her family. She and her father, Miles Igo, purchased undeveloped land in Suntree, and incorporated as Suntree Partners. Myra was a powerful business leader and passionate philanthropist. She actively supported causes that would improve the county she lived in, raised her children in, and loved dearly. Her generous nature was evident through both her financial contributions and her volunteer efforts. Reflecting her deep commitment to nursing and her understanding that education is a critical component of quality healthcare, Myra also endowed a scholarship fund at the Foundation to assist Health First cardiac nurses pursuing advanced nursing degrees. Between the scholarship funds supporting continuing education and her family’s gift to expand heart and vascular services, Myra, and the Igo family, have created a legacy which will continue changing lives for future generations.

 

Shirley and Paul Friedland advance new oncology clinical social worker position.

When you or a loved one receive a cancer diagnosis, everything changes — not just for the patient, but for everyone close to them. 

Shirley Friedland understands firsthand how cancer can affect the entire family. She lost her mother to cancer at an early age and lost her father to cancer in her 30’s.

As fate would have it, Shirley began her professional career as a fundraiser with an organization that focused on helping people deal with the consequences of a loved one’s battle with cancer — providing support through social services, not medical care. At that time, she often found herself thinking — “Someday, I would like to be on the fund-giving side.”

So, years later, when the Friedlands began the process of estate planning, Shirley knew she wanted to give back to the Brevard community in a way that would be most impactful to individuals and families facing cancer. Based on her experience, Shirley asked, “Do you have a social worker at the cancer institute?” At the time, we didn’t — it was part of our plans for the future, but not possible in the present. Our financial counselors and patient advocates were working diligently to fill those gaps. But this was a role philanthropy could help advance, and we shared that with her.

The next two parts of Shirley’s story exemplify both her compassion and savvy — She wanted Health First to have a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) dedicated to oncology now — in her lifetime. And she wanted to inspire the community to support this as well — so Shirley pledged $25,000 as a matching gift to help fund this position right away, and as of October 31 — thanks to your support and Shirley’s generosity — we were able to secure over $50,000 in immediate funding for this position.

“It’s a start,” Shirley said, “and I know that others will see the enormous benefit a LCSW brings to families struggling with a cancer diagnosis.” LCSWs connect cancer patients with the myriad resources available to them. “A social worker is able to give support to the whole family,” Shirley explained. “In the form of empathy, compassion, resources, referrals, and by just being able to explain things. The social worker completes a whole scenario and that gives the family a better way to understand what is happening and a way to cope with it as well as possible.”

But that wasn’t all. Shirley and her husband, Paul, are fund holders at The Community Foundation for Brevard, and she worked closely with Theresa Grimison, CEO of The Community Foundation for Brevard to see what their fund might do.

Incredibly, Shirley and Theresa created an estate commitment to fund this new position in perpetuity. In fact, Shirley and Paul’s estate will also provide annual support for the Compassionate Care Fund and Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families.

“There are people that we can help today, and I hope by sharing our commitment, we can inspire others to do the same,” said Shirley.

We are so very grateful for the generous support provided by The Shirley and Paul Friedland Fund at the Community Foundation for Brevard. Their support enabled us to accelerate the plan to hire a licensed clinical social worker to support Health First Cancer Institute patients and their families. To learn more about how you can help advance the not-for-profit programs and services at Health First, please call us at 321.434.7353.