Quantum Foundation Awards Bethesda's Center for Graduate Medical Education a $250,000 Grant to Attract New Physicians to Palm Beach County

For more information contact:
Quantum Foundation: Kerry Jamieson, 561.832.7497
Bethesda Health: Lisa Kronhaus, 561.737.7733, x84320 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2015

(March 27, 2015 – Boynton Beach, FL) – Quantum Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to the Bethesda Hospital Foundation for Bethesda’s Center for Graduate Medical Education.  The grant will be used to support Bethesda’s efforts to address the physician shortage and encourage physicians to stay and practice in Palm Beach County.
 

As the Baby Boomers enter their senior years, the need for physicians continues to grow nationwide. In fact, nearly one in four residents living in Palm Beach County is over the age of 65. Coupled with the fact that there are only 3,500 residency positions available in the State of Florida, nearly 44% of residency candidates are leaving Florida, and most of those doctors are not expected to return. Together, these factors created the impetus for Bethesda Health to create the Center for Graduate Medical Education.
 

“We are honored to be a recipient of this tremendous grant from Quantum Foundation that will support Bethesda’s efforts to curb the physician shortage as we strive to provide quality health services in a caring manner for our community,” said Roger L. Kirk, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bethesda Health. “With Quantum’s support, we can help ensure that our senior population will have the medical care they need with a comprehensive base of medical specialists as they continue to live longer lives,” Kirk added.
 

 “As a health foundation, a major part of our strategy is working to ensure there are enough doctors in the county so that everyone can get the care they need when they need it,” said Eric M. Kelly, president of Quantum Foundation. “Partnering with Bethesda on this project is a crucial component of our work to make Palm Beach County a healthier place to call home.”
 

After welcoming its first class of Internal Medicine resident physicians in June 2014, Bethesda’s Center for Graduate Medical Education is honored to be part of a consortium of Palm Beach County hospitals selected to partner with Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Graduate Medical Education program. With a long-standing tradition of providing medical education for nurses, radiology technicians, pharmacy students, third and fourth year medical students and podiatry residents, Bethesda ranks among the most comprehensive teaching hospitals in South Florida. As a host site for resident physicians, Bethesda looks forward to working with Quantum Foundation to expand its educational and technology-based services to attract the most promising physicians to South Florida.
 

In future years, Bethesda looks forward to adding residency programs in General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology and will continue to work with Quantum Foundation and other community partners to further develop programs that can attract new physicians and benefit the residents of Palm Beach County.
 

About Quantum Foundation

Quantum Foundation is a private grantmaking organization that funds approved charities and certain government agencies in Palm Beach County, Florida. Quantum Foundation’s mission is to inspire and fund bold initiatives that improve the health of Palm Beach County. The foundation’s funding supports those organizations which provide health care, help people who need health care, and educate others about health care. According to the latest data compiled by the Florida Philanthropic Network (FPN), Quantum Foundation is the largest Palm Beach County-based health funder with 100% of grant dollars used to support local communities. Since its founding over seventeen years ago, Quantum Foundation has given away over $115 million in grants to more than 450 organizations. For more information visit www.quantumfnd.org.
 

About Bethesda Health, Inc.

Bethesda Health, Inc., is comprised of two not-for-profit hospitals, Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West, which are supported by the generosity of philanthropic community members through the Bethesda Hospital Foundation. Since 1947, the Foundation has made a commitment to raising awareness and securing funds to assist Bethesda Health's mission to provide quality health services in a caring manner. If you are interested in making a contribution to your community hospital, please call the Foundation at (561) 737-7733, ext. 84445.