Associate Month of Giving
2025 STORYBOOK
Table of Contents Aging Services..........................................................................................5 Area of Greatest Need...........................................................................7 Associate Relief Fund............................................................................ 8 Cancer Institute....................................................................................11 Heart and Vascular...............................................................................12 Compassionate Care Fund................................................................14 Emergency Services.............................................................................16 Hospice of Health First.......................................................................19 Education................................................................................................20 Women and Children..........................................................................23
Through Associate Month of Giving (AMG), associates have the unique opportunity to give back in meaningful ways. Whether through payroll deduction or a one-time gift, you can choose the programs that inspire you most. And the best part? Every dollar—100% of your contribution—goes directly to the cause you select. Join us in supporting our mission and our “Because I-CARE” values— Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Together, we can make a lasting impact and create a healthier, brighter future for everyone we serve. Your participation matters—let’s make a difference!
Aging Services. Gifts to Aging Services provide programmatic and operational support for the Center for Family Caregivers (CFFC), part of Health First’s Aging Services. Classes, support groups, and activities are offered free of charge for caregivers and their aging loved ones. “The Center for Family Caregivers has been a lifeline for my mom and I,” said Linda, a caregiver. “The workshops and support groups have given us moments of joy and strength we never thought possible. I am very grateful for the donors who support this group.”
More than 4,500 local caregivers have accessed the free classes, support groups, and enriching activities at the Center for Family Caregivers since October 2023.
Attendees at the Center for Family Caregivers.
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Area of Greatest Need. Gifts to the “Area of Greatest Need” provide essential, unrestricted funds to address Health First's most critical priorities. These donations
ensure we can respond quickly and effectively to urgent challenges across our organization. Last year, these funds filled the gap for the Associate Relief Fund when the demand exceeded available resources. They also supported Team Lavender programs, pastoral care in our hospitals, and Care and Comfort carts — providing emotional and practical care for your fellow associates. By contributing to the “Area of Greatest Need,” you're making an impactful investment in the overall well-being of our community, ensuring support whenever it's needed most. “I wish to thank Health First associates for their financial support of Team Lavender during Associate Month of Giving,” said Chaplain Derly Foerste. “Because of you, all associates are receiving this benefit.”
Team Lavendar helps provide compassion and comfort to our fellow Health First associates.
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Associate Relief Fund. Gifts to the Associate Relief Fund are a meaningful, tangible way to support our colleagues experiencing emergency financial hardships. Often, an unforeseen event like a severe illness or injury can leave a colleague struggling to afford rent or mortgage, utility bills, daycare, or vehicle payment. “Thank you so very much. You don't know how grateful I am. Now we sleep well and are not worrying about losing our house, having nowhere to go. I really appreciate the assistance, more than you know,” shared Health First CNA, Brittany Dykstra. “From the bottom of my heart, I can't even express my thanks enough.”
This last year, your support helped provide assistance to 141 associates, totaling $210,269.84 to help with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, and more.
Health First CNA, Brittany Dykstra, received a grant to cover their mortgage payment, allowing her family to remain in their home.
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Cancer Institute. Gifts to the Health First Cancer Institute provide patients with additional resources to support their individual cancer journey.
A healthy diet is vital, especially for cancer patients. Thanks to your AMG support, every patient at the Health First Cancer Institute receives the guide, Eating Hints . This guide, created by the Cancer Patient Education Network, offers practical nutrition advice before, during, and after treatment. “Your generosity allows us to provide essential resources like this guidebook. You’re truly making a difference,” said Tracy Wagner, Clinical Director of Health First Oncology.
Through AMG support, every patient at the Health First Cancer Institute receives the guide, Eating Hints.
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Heart and Vascular. Gifts to Heart and Vascular Services help ensure patients have access to the most advanced medical technology and patient resources in preventative heart care, rhythm management, vascular treatments, valve clinic, and cardiothoracic specialties. At the Heart and Vascular Center at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center, world- class physicians, nurses, and techs work tirelessly to repair arteries and stabilize heartbeats — to make heart recovery possible for our community. Through AMG support, dedicated teams have advanced medical technology to achieve life-saving outcomes. Cardiac MRI is now so advanced that expert cardiologists can perform highly specialized tissue analysis, uncovering and locating valvular heart disease, scar tissue, fibrosis, and blood clots. Heart patients throughout Florida travel to Health First for this state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging tool.
Heart and Vascular Services use advanced medical technology to provide quick heart recovery for our patients.
“I am alive because of you.” – grateful patient
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In 2024, 86 Guardian Angel Grants were awarded to eligible patients.
Compassionate Care Fund. Gifts to the Compassionate Care Fund break down barriers to treatment for patients in need. Through Guardian Angel Grants, this fund provides
essential support in partnership with case managers, social workers, and associates across Health First. From transportation to medical appointments and prescription co- pays to vital medical equipment, your generosity delivers help where it's needed most. Gifts to the Compassionate Care Fund break down barriers to treatment for eligible patients in need. For Cheryl, the Compassionate Care Fund was a lifeline. A tragic accident left her with an amputation, a traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. On a fixed income, her medical expenses felt impossible to manage.
“I am so grateful,” Cheryl shared. “The grant helped me with life-saving medication and additional doctor’s appointments. I am much better from it.”
Your support transforms lives and gives hope to individuals like Cheryl. Thank you for making a difference.
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Emergency Services Gifts to our Emergency and Trauma Services fund the critical care these dedicated teams provide to patients facing severe, life-threatening injuries.
Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center houses the region’s only Level 2 Trauma Center and Pediatric Emergency Department. First Flight, Brevard County's only air ambulance service, provides critical emergency transport. Thanks to donor support, the Pediatric Emergency Department received toys and games that help comfort and distract children from their pain or injury, enabling the care team to provide effective treatment. This impact extends throughout the Integrated Delivery Network (IDN), as these toys and games are shared at all community hospital emergency departments.
Distraction toys are used in the Pediatric Emergency Department to help ease children’s fears while receiving compassionate care.
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Hospice of Health First. Gifts to Hospice of Health First provide families with compassionate support during their most challenging times, including access to
bereavement groups for individuals of all ages. Children and families are served in unique ways through the Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families, a service of Hospice of Health First. Through AMG, support for Camp Bright Star creates a space where children find solace and connect with others who understand their journey in grieving the loss of a loved one. Did you know? • 85 children attended Camp Bright Star, where they learned valuable ways to navigate grief. • Hospice honors veterans in care through the Forever a Hero ceremony,
celebrating their service and dedication to our country. • 120 families received Thanksgiving meals in 2024.
Camp Bright Star, Spring of 2024
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Education. Gifts to Education support associates in furthering their education through certification grants, skills lab equipment, ongoing training
resources, and nursing scholarships.
Through AMG, you are investing in our associates.
“This is one of the best and most reputable organizations anyone would want to work for,” Mervin Paul said. “There are so many opportunities for growth here. If you invest in Health First, you will get something back.”
• Four nursing scholarships were awarded. • $12,829 was awarded in certification grants. You are also helping to grow our team, training current and new associates for in-demand jobs in medical assisting, radiology technology, radiography technology, and more through the Come Grow with Us program.
Mervin Paul, Clinical Charge Nurse, HRMC, 2024 Health First Foundation Nursing Scholarship recipient.
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Women and Children. Gifts to the Women and Children Services line support wellness for pediatric, obstetrical, and gynecological care.
Through AMG, Health First pediatricians were able to participate in the Reach Out and Read program. This offers a new, developmentally appropriate book for the child to take home, building a child’s collection of 8-10 new books before kindergarten. Books like “Goodnight Moon,” “Clifford Barks!” and “Smile!” help young children practice the act of sitting with books, imagining a story unfold, talking about what happens on a page, and learning the shapes and colors.
Having books available, along with a brief explanation from a healthcare professional, gently encourages parents to read more often with their infants and young children. This helps them develop the early literacy skills needed to succeed in school.
AMG supports treatment for Women and Children in our care.
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For more stories about how Associate Month of Giving impacts our patients and our associates, visit hf.org/associategiving .
Giving is good for our health – help us spread the word by sharing your “Why I Give” story on Viva Engage with #AMG .
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