Lewy Body Dementia: Challenges for Individuals, Families, and the Health Care System

Event Overview

About the Speakers

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  Melissa Armstrong

  MD, FAAN
  University of Florida
  Professor of Neurology
  Associate Chair for Faculty Development

  Melissa Armstrong, MD, MSc is Director of the UF Health Mangurian Clinical-Research Headquarters for Lewy Body Dementia at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and a nationally recognized expert ...

  Melissa Armstrong, MD, MSc is Director of the UF Health Mangurian Clinical-Research Headquarters for Lewy Body Dementia at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and a nationally recognized expert in Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. She combines specialized clinical care with NIH- and Florida Department of Health-funded research focused on improving diagnosis, treatment, quality of life, and the lived experiences of people with Lewy body dementia and their care partners. Dr. Armstrong also serves as Associate Chair of Faculty Development in the University of Florida Department of Neurology.

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  Jori Fleisher

  MD, MSCE, FAAN
  Rush University Medical Center
  Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Sciences

  Jori Fleisher, MD, MSCE is a fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologist at Rush University Medical Center whose clinical and research focus is improving care for people living with advanced Parkinson's disease, ...

  Jori Fleisher, MD, MSCE is a fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologist at Rush University Medical Center whose clinical and research focus is improving care for people living with advanced Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and related disorders. Supported by the National Institutes of Health and nonprofit foundations, her research explores innovative care models, including interdisciplinary home visits and caregiver peer mentoring, to enhance quality of life for patients and families. Dr. Fleisher has been recognized by the American Academy of Neurology as both an Emerging Leader and Outstanding Patient Advocate.

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  Robin Otto

  MPP, LMSW, CDP, CGP
  Lewy Body Dementia Association
  Advocacy and Community Engagement Strategist

  Robin Otto, MPP, LMSW, CDP, CGP is a social worker and policy advocate whose work bridges lived experience, research, and public policy to advance support for individuals living with Lewy ...

  Robin Otto, MPP, LMSW, CDP, CGP is a social worker and policy advocate whose work bridges lived experience, research, and public policy to advance support for individuals living with Lewy body dementia and their care partners. At the Lewy Body Dementia Association, she leads congressional engagement, policy strategy, and community-driven advocacy while connecting individuals and families with research opportunities and self-advocacy resources. Drawing on experience in social work, public policy, nonprofit leadership, and diplomatic service, Robin is committed to advancing person-centered policies and systems that improve the lives of those affected by neurodegenerative diseases.

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  Karen Fingerman

  PhD
  The University of Texas at Austin
  Director, Texas Institute for Dementia, Aging and Longevity (TIDAL)
  Co-Director, Center on Aging and Population Sciences (CAPS)
  Wilson Regents Professor in Human Ecology

   

  Karen Fingerman, PhD is the Director of the Texas Institute for Dementia, Aging, and Longevity (TIDAL), Co-Director, Center on Aging and Population Sciences (CAPS), and Sonia Wilson Professor of Human ...

  Karen Fingerman, PhD is the Director of the Texas Institute for Dementia, Aging, and Longevity (TIDAL), Co-Director, Center on Aging and Population Sciences (CAPS), and Sonia Wilson Professor of Human Ecology and Professor of Human Development & Family Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. An internationally recognized researcher, she leads NIH-funded studies on Lewy body dementia caregiving, family relationships, and healthy aging, with a focus on improving quality of life for older adults and their care partners. Dr. Fingerman has published nearly 200 scholarly works and has received numerous honors for her research, mentorship, and teaching, including the American Psychological Association's Baltes Award for Distinguished Research Achievement in Psychology and Aging, and was recently awarded the APA Division 20 Victor Molinari Mentorship Award in Adult Development and Aging.

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