Judith Adele Agentis Foundation

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Artist Talk Slated at The Gallery at Musselman Jewelers in Bethlehem PA

Two regional artists featured in “The Creative American Spirit” will come together for a special Artist Talk and meet the artists reception on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m, at The Gallery at Musselman Jewelers, 420 Main Street, Bethlehem. 

Artists Paula Kay and Victoria Lawrence will discuss their work, artistic processes and the inspiration behind the paintings they have contributed to the exhibition, which opened in July and continues through October 3.

Kay’s highly detailed realist paintings celebrate history through the objects, architecture and familiar scenes that connect us to earlier generations. Her work encourages viewers to look closely at the places and objects around us and consider the stories and American history they preserve. I’m 

Lawrence brings her own distinctive perspective to the exhibition, creating beautifully observed paintings that reflect her connection to the natural world and the subjects that inspire her. Together, the two artists demonstrate the range of approaches, subjects and individual voices represented in The Creative American Spirit.

Presented by Musselman Jewelers to benefit the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation (JAACF org), the exhibition was curated by Tina Cantelmi and Janet Pressler, two Freedom High School graduates who combined their professional backgrounds in art, museums, communications, and exhibition development to create an engaging presentation of regional talent.

Robert Agentis, founder of the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation, played a key role in installing the exhibition. In 2026 alone, JAACF gave  $45,000 to support hospice, palliative care and education, and pancreatic cancer research at St. Luke’s Health Network.

The exhibit will be on view through October 3, with a closing reception and meet-the-artists event on Saturday, October 3, from 2 to 4;30 p.m.

The exhibition features works by artists including Paula Kay, Victoria Lawrence, Jacqueline Agentis, Marcia Theordoredis (M.Theo), Tina Cantelmi, Skip Cook, Toni McGraw, Art Wells, Stephanie Agentis, Reagan Pilgert and noted contemporary artist Rigo Peralta.

The exhibition continues through October 3, 2026 with a closing reception in the afternoon. 

Victoria Lawrence will speak about influences from her artist grandmother, to growing up in Pennsylvania farm areas. Her paintings including “Morganstern” (Morningstar) and others will be discussed as part of the exhibit Creative American Spirit exhibit to benefit the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation. The event is free and open to the public. 

Artist Paula Kay will speak about her evolution as an artist from whimsical representational work to historic realism and even delving into the world of abstract painting. Artists Paula Kay and Victoria Lawrence Featured in “The Creative American Spirit” Talk on Saturday, September 19 at Musselman Jewelers, Bethlehem 

 

Historic Realism will be discussed by artist Paula Kay
Creamware Cabinet, a historic realism painting by Paula Kay will be discussed by the artist on September 19th, at the Gallery at Musselman Jewelers Bethelehm PA

JAACF’s 2026 Gala Raises Funds for New Pancreatic Research Fund

Emcee Kelly Chando Introduces Lead Sponsor Tammy Nicotera at JAACF's Annual Gala on March 28, 2026

Emcee Kelly Chando Introduces Lead Sponsor Tammy Nicotera at JAACF’s Annual Gala on March 28, 2026

Robert Agentis, Left, and Tina Cantelmi Agentis, Present Several Checks to St. Luke's Hospice witih Dr. Erin Bendas and Dr. Cebo

Robert Agentis, Left, and Tina Cantelmi Agentis, Present Several Checks to St. Luke’s Hospice witih Dr. Erin Bendas and Dr.Hena Cebeci. 

Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation Raises $45,500 to Advance Hospice, Palliative Care, and Pancreatic Cancer Research

The Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation (JAACF) announced that it raised a total of $45,500 during 2026 to support its mission of advancing hospice and palliative care education while expanding efforts to improve outcomes for cancer patients and their families.

Of the total funds raised, $15,000 has been designated to establish a new pancreatic cancer research endowment at St. Luke’s University Health Network. The endowment will support ongoing clinical research focused on pancreatic cancer and related gastrointestinal cancers, helping to advance treatment options and improve patient care for future generations.

The remaining funds will support the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to hospice and palliative care education, including programs designed to enhance compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals facing serious illness and end-of-life challenges.

Founded in memory of Judith Adele Agentis, the Foundation has spent more than a decade supporting programs that improve the quality of life for patients and families. Through fundraising events, educational initiatives, and community partnerships, JAACF has helped strengthen hospice and palliative care services throughout the region.

“This year represents a meaningful step forward for our Foundation,” said Bob Agentis, Founder and Chairman  of the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation. “We remain deeply committed to our hospice and palliative care mission while also investing in the future of pancreatic cancer research. We are grateful to our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who make this work possible.”

The Foundation’s 2026 fundraising efforts were made possible through the generosity of community members, business sponsors, volunteers, artists, and attendees who participated in charitable events throughout the year.

A Reason to Celebrate! JAACF Seeds First Advanced Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care in Pennsylvania 

A woman joyfully holding a large check in an indoor setting.
Dr. Erin Bendas at Chief of Palliative and Supportive Care at St. Luke’s Health Network.

The Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation (JAACF) has provided funding for the first First Advanced Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care in Pennsylvania. In early September, JAACF Chairman and Founder Robert Agentis presented $10,000 to Dr. Erin Bendas, Section Chief of Palliative and Supportive Care at St. Luke’s Health Network. 

“This is the first major donation to our department. We highly appreciate this substantial funding,” an elated Dr. Bendas exclaimed. 

A portion of the funds from JAACF will also support the first Train-the-Trainer Palliative Care Partnership Program under the direction of Dr. Cris Johnson, Medical Director at St. Luke’s VNA Home Health and Hospice. 

“We are honored to be at the forefront in developing these hospice and palliative care education programs here in Pennsylvania,” said Agentis. 

The mission of the newly established fellowship program is to prepare qualified, committed, and caring nurse practitioners and physician assistants with the clinical skills and academic expertise to become future leaders in hospice and palliative support care. 

In early 2020, JAACF board members voted to expand the mission of the non-profit to found The JAACF Palliative Care Education Fund. Then, in 2021, amid the pandemic, JAACF donated an additional $10,000 to certify health care workers and nurses in palliative care at St. Luke’s. 

Air Products was the lead sponsor for JAACF’s 2022 fundraising initiative. Supporting sponsors included St. Luke’s Health Network and Tammy Nicotera One Realty Group. Additional funding was provided by Bennett Auto Group, Morris Black Kitchen and Bath, and Northstar Construction.  JAACF was founded in 2013 by Agentis after his wife, Judith, of 47 years, passed away at Hospice House. He founded JAACF, a 501c3 non-profit, to help fill the need for nourishing meals delivered to hospice house staff, families, and patients.JAACF has delivered more than 20,000 meals to St. Luke’s Hospice House on Black River Road in Bethlehem, PA. 

To learn more about JAACF, donate, or learn how to get involved, visit www.jaacf.org or email ba.jaacf@gmail.com. 

Dr. Erin Bendas, (left), Section Chief of Palliative and Supportive Care at St. Luke’s Health Network, Gail McDevitt, Patient Manager, Hospice, and Bob Agentis, Founder of The Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation, celebrate the First Advanced Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program in Hospice and Palliative Care in Pennsylvania 

Dr. Erin Bendas, Section Chief of Palliative and Supportive Care at St. Luke’s Health Network, is elated that her department is receiving funding for the First Advanced Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care in Pennsylvania 

Scholarship Established by Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation to Fund Education in Palliative Care

BETHLEHEM, PA — The Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation (JAACF), a Bethlehem-based nonprofit, has established The Judith Adele Agentis Palliative Care Nursing Education Fund at St. Luke’s University Health Network.

The education fund will provide scholarships that help make it possible for nurses to participate in professional certification programs, attend conferences and seminars, and earn continuing education credits in the field of palliative care. Three nurses are pursuing their Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing Certification with support from the fund.

JAACF St. Luke's Palliative Care Nursing Fund

Credit: St. Luke’s University Health Network

From left to right: Christine McCausland, RN; Kimberly O’Connor, MS, RN and Susan Rodriguez, RN, are the nurses who received support from the new education fund.

“JAACF is committed to supporting educational opportunities to expand the impact of pain management through palliative care,” said Robert Agentis, founder and chairman of JAACF. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to offer scholarships to health care workers seeking higher education and certification. Our mission is expanding to help advance pain management services through palliative care.”

Robert Agentis founded JAACF in honor of his late wife, Judith, who passed away in 2013 of pancreatic cancer. The organization’s mission is to help others cope by delivering hot meals, hope and fellowship for patients and their families at St. Luke’s Brian D. Perin Hospice House. The foundation has delivered more than 20,000 meals since its inception in addition to early cancer detection education for pancreatic, liver and colon cancers.

The foundation has a goal to build an endowment fund that will support annual educational opportunities within the palliative care program, as well as ambitions to establish a fund for a Palliative Care Advanced Practice Fellowship Program at St. Luke’s, which would be the first of its kind in this region.

“We look forward to future opportunities to expand our educational assistance,” said Agentis.

“Throughout the pandemic, our palliative care teams worked around the clock, tending to their patients and keeping them in good spirits,” said Dr. Erin Bendas, DO, MA, Section Chief, St. Luke’s Palliative Care. “We are so fortunate that this fund was established to support the growth and development of these talented and devoted nurses, who are so passionate about the care they provide. It is this kind of generosity that powers our work.”

Contributions to the fund can be made payable to St. Luke’s JAACF Palliative Care Nursing Education Fund and sent to Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation, at P.O. Box, 22075, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002.or to St. Luke’s Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015. Donations may also be made over the phone by calling 484-526-3067.

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Foundation marks 5 years of hospice meal donations

Taken from the Bethlehem Press

Final moments with a passing loved one are precious, and for family members of those in hospice, often the last thing on their minds is finding themselves a nourishing meal. Enter the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation (JAACF), a Lehigh Valley-based nonprofit established to fill family members’ need for nourishment as they tend to loved ones. Since 2013, the 501(c)(3) has delivered more than 13,000 meals for family members of patients while they are at St. Luke’s Hospice House of Bethlehem. The nonprofit was founded by Robert Agentis in honor of his late wife, Judith, who passed of pancreatic cancer at Hospice House. The two were married for 47 years.

Agentis, chairman of JAACF and a Lehigh Valley business owner, recalls losing 35 pounds during the last days of Judie’s life. For nearly a month, he consumed a haphazard array of foods, often just snacks from a vending machine. Hoping to save others from a similar fate, he hatched the concept for JAACF and began approaching local restaurants about the idea. Today, the organization is helping others cope.

“Your meal nourished our family through a difficult time, and we will always be grateful for your efforts,” said recent JAACF meal recipient Renee Hillman, whose mother passed at hospice in 2017.

Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation was the recipient of the PA Hospice Network Heart of Hospice Award in 2014 and was awarded the Shining Star Award from St. Luke’s Hospital Network that same year. In addition to meals, JAACF provides funding for early cancer detection education for pancreatic, liver and colon cancers.

“We depend on the generosity of local businesses, restaurants, and donors,” says Agentis, who has delivered 90 percent of the meals JAACF provides weekly and spends time with the family members when possible. There are currently more than 40 participating restaurant donors to JAACF. Going forward, the nonprofit is looking to garner new and additional Lehigh Valley restaurants as annual or semi-annual donors. Interested restaurants can reach Bob Agentis at ba.jaacf@gmail.com to find out more about being part of the meal program.

“Reaching High Notes,” JAACF’s annual dinner gala, will be held Saturday, March 24, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Blue Event Center. Tickets are $95 per person and include passed hors d’oeuvres and a three-course sit-down dinner, which will feature an entree of filet mignon and crab, roasted vegetables, a vegan option, and a layered opera cake. Musical entertainment will highlight music throughout the decades. Luxury auction items and a special speaker will round out the evening’s offerings.