WATCH: Health First Makes Large Financial and Clinic Supply Gift to Brevard Public Schools

Health First presented BPS $50,000 and more than 80 takeaway bags filled with health supplies

WATCH: Flanked this afternoon by Brevard Public Schools and Florida Department of Health School Health Supervising Nurses, Health First presented $50,000 and more than 80 takeaway bags filled with health supplies – one for each school in the system – to help stock Brevard Public Schools nursing clinics across the Space Coast.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Flanked this afternoon by Brevard Public Schools and Florida Department of Health School Health Supervising Nurses, Health First presented $50,000 and more than 80 takeaway bags filled with health supplies – one for each school in the system – to help stock Brevard Public Schools nursing clinics across the Space Coast.

Health First Chief Nursing Officer Cheyana Fischer and a team of nursing leaders met over the summer with school resource nurses. A consistent message was conveyed during those chats – having ample health supplies stocked at the schools is a vitally important need.

Today, Fischer and Health First made good on a promise to provide for those health needs officially presenting the funds – albeit a tad late.

Health First’s large presentation check was dated Aug. 24 – in large part because a presentation was set to take place earlier in the year. But COVID, as it’s done over the course of nearly two years – put numerous crimps on staging a feel-good event for nurses, teachers and administrators.

“As a mom myself, I want to know that my children are in good hands each day – not only educationally, but physically and emotionally, as well. Our school nurses work incredibly hard to ensure the wellbeing of our children, and the last thing they should be concerned with is having adequate supplies on hand. This gift is made in support of the work Brevard Public Schools nurses do to ensure they have resources needed to care for the children of our community,” said Fischer.

“Just a few short weeks ago, we met in this very building to share details about another amazing partnership between Brevard Public Schools and area health care organizations, including Health First, called Thrive by Five – geared toward promoting literacy in children from birth through age 5. Health First’s mission is to ensure the health and wellness of all Brevard County citizens, at every age. We live in such a special and vibrant community, and the relationship we share with our educational partners certainly helps make our community even better,” Fischer continued.

Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins also joined the event, calling the partnership with Health First a true community partnership.

“This just came out of a natural partnership we have with Health First. In fact, Health First came and asked ‘What can we do to invest in and meet the needs of our kids?’ This certainly exceeded our expectations,” said Mullins.

“Our schools meet such a huge and diverse array of needs that our kids have when they come to us. Our front office staff are also wearing many additional hats and fulfilling many responsibilities, so the additional stress of not having the necessary supplies and resources when they need them makes their jobs even more challenging. So, you [Health First] have alleviated a very real need that we have in our schools. This is a testament that Brevard takes care of Brevard, and we are a very amazing community in looking out for one another,” Mullins added.

Founded in 1995, Health First is Brevard County’s not-for-profit, community healthcare system. The fully integrated delivery network (IDN) includes health insurance plans, hospitals, a multi-specialty medical group, and outpatient and wellness services.

As a locally owned, not-for-profit organization, Health First is committed to investing in our community. In 2020, Health First provided more than $184 million in community support.

To learn more about Health First and how we’re giving back to our community, please visit HFgivesback.org.

Similar Stories