PHILANTHROPICALLY

NEWS FOR OURDONORS AND FRIENDS

FoundationMARCH 2017

The mission of Health First is made possible in large part because of the ongoing support of our Brevard community. As a local, non-profit health resource, Health First relies on philanthropic support to ensure that patients and their families receive the highest quality care possible when they need it most. We could not accomplish this without you.

Your support over the last year has made a difference in the lives of patients, families, and the physicians and clinicians who provide their care. We are honored to share the impact of community philanthropy, and recognize the generous donors who invest in the mission of world class health care for Brevard.

Many initiatives have been made possible by community support for Health First through the Foundation, including:

■ Advanced diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer through the purchase of Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) technology. Find out how this impacted Neil Carlon on page two.

■ Expansion of Hospice of Health First and the Bright Star Center

for Grieving Children to a new, updated facility. Learn more about the new facility on page two.

■ Accuvein Vein Finder for emergency patients at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center.

■ “Stop the Bleed” community education program, in partnership with local law enforcement. Learn more about Stop the Bleed program on page three.

■ Scholarships for 41 Health First nurses to assist them in pursuing their Bachelor (or Master) of Science in Nursing degree.

■ Opening of the Health First Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Clinic made possible in large part by funds raised through the Health First Foundation Grape Escape and our own Health First Associate Giving Program donors.

■ Compassionate dental care for

low-income patients through Brevard Health Alliance and glucometer testing strips for indigent patients with diabetes.

And the list goes on . . .

We thank you for partnering with us as we strive to provide the highest quality and most compassionate health care possible for our community. Together, this is Mission Possible.

In recognition of our generous and thoughtful donors, we encourage you to visit HFgive.org and view our 2016 Honor Roll of Donors (October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016). Included in this recognition are our Health First Foundation Good Samaritan Society members, all tribute gifts and donors, and Legacy Society donors.

Mission Possible

New Home Sweet Home

Neil's Story

services provided through Health First’s Integrated Delivery Network. Neil makes it a point to encourage others to quit smoking and utilize the resources available through the Health First Cancer Institute.

“I still have two cards,” he said of the lung cancer screening handouts, which he’ll hand out at church and work. “I have to be a health advocate.”

Thanks to your donations, he can be.

Neil Carlon, Palm Bay, FL

more than $400,000 for the Health First Cancer Institute and providing help and hope to our friends, neighbors and family members who are navigating a frightening diagnosis. Such donations have helped fund cutting-edge technology such as Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy and Endobronchial Ultrasound – the latter being the only such device in Brevard County.

Over the past 35 years, the Health First Foundation Benefit Ball has raised more than $5 million for health and wellness services right here in our community. The support of the Foundation helps deliver these invaluable resources to Brevard. It brings healing and hope to our friends, neighbors and family members.

It brings this to people just like Neil.

“Everything’s fine now,” said the 61-year-old, declared cancer-free in January 2016. The Palm Bay truck driver, dad and grandfather is now a few months away from retirement – and a big-time enthusiast of the

place where they are well supported. Bright Star offers:

■ Emotional support in a safe and comfortable environment that allows the children and families to grieve while promoting healing

■ Support for grieving children through arts, crafts, storytelling, discussion and play

■ Programs that are open to the community – Bright Star does not charge a fee

■ Evening sessions during the school year for multiple age groups (including tweens and teens)

■ One-on-one sessions for family members requesting information about the program

Thanks to generous gifts to Hospice of Health First, the Health First Foundation

If you run into Neil Carlon, there’s a good chance he’ll hand you a card advocating lung cancer screening. It’s a simple but important tool – one that saved Neil’s life.

Health First primary care physician Kyle Anderson, MD, ordered the routine test for Neil in October 2015, something that’s not atypical in the care of ex-smokers. Follow-up tests and a lobectomy performed by Health First’s Matthew Campbell, MD, unearthed a diagnosis that Neil hadn’t expected a decade after kicking his cigarette habit – Class 1A lung cancer.

Now 61 and cancer-free, Neil credits the resources and expertise offered by Health First’s Cancer Institute, a facility committed to providing the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art cancer care for our community. It’s a resource that thrives on donations to the Health First Foundation – from generous individual gifts to events such as the Health First Foundation Benefit Ball.

Brevard’s philanthropic spirit shone at the 2016 Foundation Benefit Ball, raising

After 25 years of serving the community from its original office location, Hospice of Health First has a new home. The Hospice team has moved to a different locale that boasts a variety of benefits, including: energy efficient, well-planned meeting rooms; an open floor plan; and comfortable family counseling spaces. Designed with a focus on community, Hospice of Health First can meet the needs of its staff, patients, survivors and community members. As experts in end-of-life care, the new space will serve as a one-stop shop for information about advanced directives, bereavement support and end-of-life care.

Hospice of Health First’s Bright Star Program helps children and their families by offering facilitator-guided, peer-supported groups for grieving children, teens and adults. Hospice of Health First believes that children who are grieving the loss of a significant person in their lives need a safe

was able to provide more than $1 million to help make this new facility a reality. Health First is grateful for the support of donors, whose generosity enables us to provide compassionate care and meaningful programs and services to more people in our community. Because of this generosity, thousands of patients have received care through Hospice of Health First, regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more about Hospice of Health First, visit HFgive.org.

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DECEMBER 2016

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APRIL 2017

On average, it takes three to five minutes for a first responder to arrive on the scene after a 9-1-1 call.

But someone who’s hemorrhaging from an injury to an artery can bleed to death in just three minutes.

At Health First, that simply won’t do.

That’s why, thanks to the generosity of the Health First Foundation, Brevard residents are welcome to attend one of the free, two-hour “Stop the Bleed” training courses, which teaches life-saving techniques such as pressure and tourniquet application.

“Some of these injuries, you don’t have the time to wait for a first responder,” said David Schmitt, Training Center manager at Health First. “Our goal as a system is zero preventable deaths. There’s no statistic higher than zero that’s acceptable.”

So far, more than 2,000 people in Brevard

have received the training by Health First instructors, including first responders not traditionally trained in the method. Thanks to Health First, there are more “Stop the Bleed” training courses being scheduled.

Classes are held twice a month at Health First’s Training Center in Melbourne,

helping Brevard residents be prepared to aid people who’ve suffered sudden, severe injuries – “whether it’s a kitchen knife while slicing a tomato, or a man with a gun,” Schmitt said. Another added bonus: Participants receive a free medical-grade tourniquet.

Participants learn how to identify and control bleeding through direct pressure, tourniquet application, as how to use hemostatic agents and how to assemble a bleeding control kit.

Instructors insist this is just as critical as CPR training, especially in light of recent mass casualty events around the nation and state. Stop the Bleed is part of a National Security Council campaign.

With trauma being the No. 1 cause of death for Americans 1 to 46 years old, this isn’t about making the average person a first responder – it’s about giving them the skills to be an “immediate responder,” said Rob Spivey, a program trainer and the trauma program manager at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center.

“This is not a replacement for professional medical help,” he said.

Members of the safety team at First Baptist Church of Eau Gallie were among recent attendees – and plan to encourage members of their congregation to attend the complimentary course.

“We’re just trying to get organized,” said Aaron Liebold, 27, of Melbourne. “Just in case.”

Dawn Kellam, a 44-year-old grandmother from Melbourne, also realized the importance of the training.

“This is training you need for your kids and neighbors,” Dawn said. “I have grandkids, and you just never know. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

To register for an upcoming “Stop the Bleed” training course, visit HFsaves.org.

use Health First programs and services over the years, learning first-hand about the importance of quality care close to home. His first wife, Gloria, suffered a stroke and subsequent Alzheimer’s diagnosis which eventually led to her passing in early 2013. During this time, Mike recalls the high quality of care they received from the Health First physicians and providers at Holmes Regional Medical Center, and eventually from Hospice of Health First in the final stages of Gloria’s illness.

Today, Mike is enjoying life with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He even found love a second time around and recently married Margaret Welch. “I know I’ve been blessed,” Mike says, “and I would encourage anyone interested in making a gift to call the Foundation and discuss a charitable gift annuity. It’s simple and straightforward, can be a win/win for the donor and the future of our local health care.”

For more information on charitable giving, a personalized annuity illustration or other planned gift opportunities, please contact the Health First Foundation office. 321.434.7353.

Saturday, April 22, 2017 | 6:30 to 11:30 pmClemente Center at Florida Institute of Technology PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE HEALTH FIRST CANCER INSTITUTE

Philanthropically Speaking is published byHealth First Foundation1350 S Hickory StreetMelbourne, FL 32901321.434.7353HFgive.org

Foundation@health-first.org

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facebook.com/healthfirstfoundation

Health First Foundation Board of TrusteesBecky Dukes, ChairRob Perers, Vice ChairBill Troner, Immediate Past ChairMichael Seeley, PresidentPatricia Pruitt, SecretaryDavid Mathias, Assistant SecretaryJessica Andre, TreasurerGobivenkata Balaji, MDRichard C. BeagleyWendy BrandonStephanie BrownCarl D. Coddington, Jr.Shelly CooperDale A. DettmerBobbie DyerEvelyn FosterChristina Goins

Danielle GreenspoonSteven Johnson, PhDStephen LaceyChristine LancePolly MolnarRita MorenoBarry RichardsonNancy TaylorKenneth Tieu, MD

Our MissionThe Health First Foundation helps improve the health and well-being of residents in our community by raising funds to support and advance the mission of Health First and its family of charitable healthcare providers.

These include four not-for-profit hospitals—Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital and Health First’s Viera Hospital—as well as many Outpatient & Wellness Services that include Hospice of Health First and Health First Aging Services.

The Health First Foundation, Inc., Florida Registration #CH-12568, receives 100% of all contributions. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free, 1.800.435.7352, within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

Contact usfor more information on ways to support Health First through the Foundation.

Join us for “La Noche Blanca: An Evening of Flamenco” where together we will celebrate our shared commitment to providing world class cancer treatment right here in our community.

This year’s committee is chaired by Tina Goins, and includes Jessica André, Becky Dukes, Danielle Greenspoon, Cathy Johnson, Judy Kraftchick, Polly Molnar, Rita Moreno, Kelly Palmer Stein, Rob Perers, Pat Picornell, Meredith Shade, Nancy Taylor, Bill and Lisa Troner, and Jessalyn Withers.

Sponsorships begin at $1,000 and information is available at HFgive.org or by calling the Foundation at 321.434.7353.

La Noche BlancaAN EVENING OF FLAMENCO

JOIN US FOR

Mike Maguire has led a blessed life. He’s had the honor of protecting his country during WWII serving in General Patton’s Third Army, marrying his high school sweetheart and being a father to 12 wonderful children.

Some years ago, Mike wanted to make a difference in the health and wellness of the community. “So, I got involved volunteering my time,” he said. “Looking back, I served a combined 25 years on the Holmes Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and the Health First Board of Directors, being the first Board Chairman of Health First, Inc. During this time, I learned a lot about the excellent healthcare resources we have right here in Brevard – and since Health First is a not-for-profit organization, I understand the need for continued local support.”

Mike further remarked that “setting up a charitable gift annuity with Health First was a no-brainer. I was pleased to support a cause close to my heart, but I never dreamed it would be one of the best investments I could make. The rate of return is guaranteed for my lifetime and provided me with immediate tax benefits.”

Mike has had occasion to personally

Leave a Legacy of Good Health and Receive Guaranteed Income for Life