Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital Staff Thanked with Steak Dinners from Women of the Moose #2193

Palm Bay’s Women of the Moose #2193 salutes front-line healthcare workers for their dedication

Palm Bay’s Women of the Moose #2193, known for supporting elder care and a children’s shelter, makes its largest local donation in response to Palm Bay Hospital front-line workers’ dedication during COVID-19.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Like their totem animal, the Palm Bay Women of the Moose #2193 isn’t small – 350 members, roughly – and when the club throws its support behind something, it makes an impression.

The women’s generosity resulted in hundreds of steak and chicken dinners from Outback Steakhouse in Melbourne, passed out to associates at lunchtime Feb. 23. The club’s gift to the Health First Foundation which arranged the meal totaled $3,500.

Senior Regent Deborah Finn said the aim was to salute the front-line healthcare workers for their dedication – the long hours over so many COVID-19 surges, the skilled care amid the sacrifices.

“We’ve been trying to work with our community, especially the hospitals, the police and fire departments, who’ve been working endlessly through this COVID pandemic,” she said.

“Any time we can bring a smile to the faces of those of us caring for folks who are sick, that is a win,” said Kyle Baxter, Hospital Administrator, Palm Bay Hospital.

“We’re working hard to decrease some of the burnout associated with COVID-19 and retain the people we need at the bedside, and something as simple as a meal can go a long way,” said Virginia Garner, Vice President of Nursing for Community Hospitals.

“Knowing that they’re supported outside of the building,” added John Tucker, Director of Clinical Operations, Palm Bay Hospital. “Coming from the community, that feeling of gratitude, it’s everything.”

“If it goes a long way and has an impact – good,” Finn said. “That’s what we wanted to see.”

Finn was joined by Moose members Christine Duncan, Rowena Milnor, Teresa Gladchuk and Sharon-Ann Lynde. Gladchuk, a Health First nurse and an ambassador for the Health First Foundation’s Associate Month of Giving in February, said the $3,500 collected and given was the largest gift the chapter has made.

Foundation President Michael Seeley called meeting the women and witnessing their recognition “of the really great and thoughtful work that goes on here every day” the very best thing the Foundation is ever asked to do.

Women of the Moose was founded more than a century ago, and its charity supports Moosehaven, a retirement care facility outside of Jacksonville, and Mooseheart residential childcare facility outside of Chicago.

The Health First Foundation is grateful to community members, organizations and businesses who support front-line healthcare workers at Health First. To contribute, please visit HF.org/meals, or contact Nicole Kopacz at 321.434.7353 or Foundation@HF.org.

Visit HF.org/news_and_events to find out what’s happening at Health First.

 

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