(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Quantum Foundation’s board of trustees recently elected Dr. Gerald O’Connor their new chair. Dr. O’Connor will serve in that role for the next two years. The West Palm Beach resident has been a board member for the private health foundation since 2013.
Quantum Foundation is a health foundation that was formed from $135 million in proceeds from the sale of JFK Medical Center. Now in its third decade of community investment, the foundation has assets of approximately $170 million. Since its inception, Quantum Foundation has awarded $150 million to hundreds of Palm Beach County nonprofit grantees. Every dollar the foundation grants stays in the county to benefit local communities.
The foundation has evolved to become a valued strategic partner in grantmaking to Palm Beach County initiatives that improve access to health services, improve health systems, expand health education, and focus on whole-health initiatives.
“Our board and staff are seen by the community as thought leaders in the healthcare space — tackling big issues facing Palm Beach County, while always being there for those working on a grassroots level, since we know that is where a community’s health often happens,” said Dr. O’Connor. “I am passionate about helping people, and my experience as a physician will bring a unique perspective to the board chair position. Long term, Quantum Foundation is poised to continue to be a leader of innovative ideas as well as realistic programs that can be implemented for lasting impact on community health. I consider myself fortunate to be able to be a part of Quantum Foundation; I have learned so much during my time with the organization and look forward to continuing to work for the betterment of the community.”
In addition to his new role with Quantum Foundation, Dr. O’Connor is a retired physician, having practised as an Internist/Nephrologist in West Palm Beach. His professional services included Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Board at Saint Mary’s Hospital. He has also served on the boards of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, the Palm Beach County Heart Association and Cardinal Newman High School. Since retiring, he has volunteered at Community Center of the Palm Beaches’ Free Clinic. In his free time, you can find him runnning as he has clocked north of 80,000 miles in the past 40 years. He is the proud father of three grown children, a CPA, an MBA and an attorney. He and his wife Elie, a retired decorator, enjoy travel and exercise.
“We are looking forward to having Dr. O’Connor as Quantum Foundation’s board chair,” said Eric Kelly, president of Quantum Foundation. “His passion for helping people and his community involvement makes him an asset to our foundation, and he is a true leader who will guide us through the upcoming years to help make health equity happen. The COVID-19 pandemic brought forward long-standing health inequities in disinvested communities and exposed the impacts of the social determinants of health. That is why Palm Beach County’s vulnerable communities need basic needs met, now more than ever, and Quantum Foundation will be a leader in meeting those needs.”
Groups funded by Quantum Foundation must meet strict grant criteria and must be classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. All grants must benefit the people of Palm Beach County. For more information about Quantum Foundation, or to learn about applying for grants, please visit www.quantumfnd.org or call 561-832-7497.