Peter R. Baronoff Takes a Leadership Role in Driving Education and Scholarship Missions on Two Florida Coasts

BOCA RATON, FL--(Marketwired - Jul 18, 2013) - Proud of his collegiate roots as an alumnus of University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance, and later as healthcare executive in Boca Raton where he was elected to serve as Deputy Mayor of the City of Boca Raton, Peter Baronoff continues to rally for quality higher education and scholarships on the two coasts of Florida.

Baronoff Focuses West Coast Efforts On Medical Education

The newly-appointed board member of the USF Foundation (www.health.usf.edu) has earmarked his focus toward supporting the education and training of a new generation of geriatricians -- internal medicine residents and geriatric fellows -- in providing specialized care for older patients. As CEO & Chairman of Promise Healthcare (www.promisehealthcare.com), one of the leading long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital organizations in the nation, Baronoff's interest peaked as he watched USF Health take a critical role in partnering with The Villages -- home to a Promise Hospital -- to help create "America's Healthiest Hometown." Ninety-five percent of Promise Healthcare patients are geriatric, with most hospitalized for 25 days or longer for recovery from serious life-threatening conditions.

"When the American Geriatrics Society reports that the U.S. will need about 25,000 geriatric physicians by the year 2025 to treat its aging population, and we know there are only 7,000 certified geriatric physicians practicing today in the U.S., we all have to work together to advance a revolutionary movement for enhanced and expanded care for seniors," noted Baronoff. "We can only do this by engaging geriatric physicians as role models, inspiring new students to select this specialty, training and placing them well, and supporting them in the field. That is both a personal and professional mission of mine, and look forward to leading that charge."

Baronoff's East Coast Mission Makes "Dancin' For Dollars" A Big Win For College Scholarships

"While some say I have 'two left feet,' I made sure they both were moving in the right direction as I 'danced for dollars' last year in the George Snow Scholarship Fund's fifth annual 'Boca's Ballroom Battle' -- a local spinoff of the popular television show 'Dancing With The Stars,'" notes Baronoff who raised the most funds in the history of the competition and serves as this year's co-chair.

He added that the competition raises funds to support deserving college students in need of financial assistance to achieve their career goals and perfect their talents to serve as our next generation of leaders. Since its inception in 1982, the Fund has awarded more than $6 million in four-year commitments to 1,389 students. This level of support places the Fund as one of Palm Beach County's largest sources of educational grants; it aims to grant at least one award to each public high school in Palm Beach County. Known as an expert in scholarship administration, the Fund also administrates scholarships for other individuals, corporations, and organizations.

"I danced and accepted to be co-chair of this year's competition because education makes communities stronger... and I want to help those without financial means to be able to pursue their careers and give back to their community," noted Baronoff. The 2013 competition will be held on Friday, August 16, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton. Tickets start at $150; for more information, call 561-347-6799 or visit www.scholarship.org.

The George Snow Scholarship Fund, a Boca Raton-based 501 (c) 3 Public Charity, provides grants to some of the area's brightest and most deserving young scholars. These scholarships are four-year commitments, designed to bridge the gap between other financial aid and what the scholar and their families can afford. In addition, the Scholarship Fund provides products and services designed to benefit all Snow Scholars. Known as an expert in scholarship administration, the Fund also administrates scholarships for other individuals, corporations, and organizations.

Committed To Community

An active member of the Boca Raton community for nearly two decades and an active neighborhood leader, Baronoff serves on the board of directors of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, and is a past board member of the Centre for the Arts, League for Education and Awareness of Holocaust (LEAH), and Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority. He has also served as a Florida Atlantic University student-athlete academic mentor to enhance a student-athlete's academic advantage and potential for successful completion of a college degree program, instill a commitment and appreciation for learning, and foster intellectual independence, growth and development.

Baronoff was named a "Pillar of the Boca Raton Community" by LEAH, and was selected as the Boy Scouts of America-Gulfstream Council's 2008 "Distinguished Citizen" honoree and inducted into the Boy Scouts Court of Honor. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Boca Raton and an active supporter of The Haven for Boys (a nationally accredited group home for boys ages 9-17 in the foster care system) Congregation B'nai Israel, American Heart Association, Woodfield Cancer Unit, Stand Among Friends, and the Gulfstream Council of the Boys Scouts of America.