Page 3 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - August '22

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 3

First Lady Jill Biden from page 2 much better health care outcomes and survival rates,” medical appointments. Some don’t have anyone to watch
Ambassador Brinker said. “These navigators bring their kids during their treatment, or to hold their hand
“With the Promise Fund’s help, they have made patients to screenings and treatments, serving as when they get hard news,” she said, “until they meet me,
mammograms not only affordable and accessible, but translators, health educators, and guides through our or another Promise Fund navigator. Then, they have all
easy,” Biden told an audience of community, public, and complex medical system. They hold hands with patients of those things.”
private sector leaders at the Hilton West Palm Beach. through their tears, fears, and joys – and along the way After launching the patient-centered navigation
“Over the last year and a half, I’ve traveled across the empower them to become their own health advocates.” component of the continuum of care model in 2018,
country – and even the world – to learn about innovative Promise Fund patient navigator and two-time breast more than 16,000 women in predominantly low-income
programs and partnerships that are making progress in cancer survivor Liliana Herrera had the distinction of communities of color have been educated, screened,
these areas. And there is so much hope to be found. The introducing the First Lady at the community-based event. treated, and navigated for breast and cervical cancer. The
Promise Fund is an incredible example of that hope.” She shared with the audience that she was uninsurable Promise Fund looks to double that impact in 2022 and
Ambassador Nancy Brinker, Promise Fund cofounder, when her cancer returned, and she struggled to find an reach all 80,000 uninsured women in Palm Beach County
called it “a tremendous honor” to have the First Lady oncologist or charitable organization to help. Ultimately, by 2024.
shine a spotlight on both the health equity disparities she quit her job – causing her to lose her home and car – To learn more about the Promise Fund’s progress to
that the Promise Fund works to overcome as well as the until her total lack of income allowed her to qualify for ensure successful replication of its innovative continuum
unique continuum of care service delivery model that care. She credited her experiences for providing her with of care service delivery model within Florida and the
builds patient trust and support, making the health care a deep empathy for those patients she serves. nation, visit www.PromiseFundOfFlorida.org.
system feel more welcoming for marginalized women. “Some patients don’t speak English. Some don’t know About Promise Fund Of Florida
“Research has shown that navigated patients have where to apply for help. Some don’t have a car to get to Promise Fund of Florida, founded in 2018, helps
women throughout South Florida overcome financial and
cultural barriers to improve health equity – including a
reduction in deaths from cervical and breast cancers.
The nonprofit organization promotes preventive care by
focusing on patient-navigation resources, community
awareness, policy changes, and innovative partnerships.
Together, Promise Fund of Florida and its community
partners have supported more than 16,000 women in
navigating the complexities of the health care system to
improve access to early detection screenings, education,
diagnostics, and treatment.

Photos by Erin Scott Ken Himmel, Katie Block, Gopal Rajegowda. Photo by
Capehart

TAKE ME TO

Your

EMERGENCY

Care Destination

In an emergency, where you go
makes a di erence. Our emergency
department features:

• Comprehensive Cardiac Care
• Certi ed Advanced Primary
Stroke Center

3360 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens
pbgmc.com

For non-life threatening emergencies, you can check in online at pbgmc.com/emergency

and wait in the comfort of your home until your appointment time.