Lewy Body Dementia: Challenges for Individuals, Families, and the Health Care System
Oct
16
2026
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Melissa Armstrong -
Jori Fleisher -
Karlo J. Lizarraga -
Karen Fingerman
Oct
16
2026
-
Melissa Armstrong
-
Jori Fleisher
-
Karlo J. Lizarraga
-
Karen Fingerman
Event Overview
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Join us for an afternoon symposium featuring nationally recognized experts in Lewy body dementia (LBD). This hybrid event brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, individuals living with LBD, care partners, and community members to learn about the latest advances in research, clinical care, and support.
Research presentations will explore what people living with Lewy body dementia and their caregivers want to know about prognosis, expected disease progression, and end-of-life planning, as well as the unique challenges faced by Lewy body dementia caregivers, the rationale for dedicated LBD caregiver interventions, and the development of a co-designed intervention created by and for the LBD community that recognizes caregivers as the experts they are, highlighting the value of combining practical, disease-specific education with structured peer support.
Whether you are a researcher, clinician, caregiver, person living with LBD, or simply interested in learning more, this symposium offers an opportunity to gain practical knowledge, hear diverse perspectives, and engage with leaders in the field.
In-Person Location: WCP Student Activity Center, 2.302 Legislative Assembly Room, The University of Texas at Austin
Zoom Webinar: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/86340044353
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Program
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Lewy Body Dementia: Challenges for Individuals, Families, and the Health Care System
In-Person Location: WCP Student Activity Center, 2.302 Legislative Assembly Room
Zoom Webinar: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/86340044353
Friday, October 16, 2026 |
Hosted by
The University of Texas at Austin |
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11:30 AM |
Lunch |
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12:00 PM |
Overview of Lewy Body Dementia
An introductory session for healthcare professionals, individuals living with LBD, care partners, students, and community members. |
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1:15 PM |
Research Presentations
Featuring Drs. Melissa Armstrong, Jori Fleisher, and Karen Fingerman on current research related to Lewy Body Dementia and caregiving. |
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2:30 PM |
Lived Experience Panel
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About the Speakers
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Melissa Armstrong
MD, FAAN
University of Florida
Professor of Neurology
Associate Chair for Faculty DevelopmentMelissa 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 SciencesJori 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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Karlo J. Lizarraga
MD, MSc, FAAN, FANA
The University of Texas at Austin
Professor of Neurology
Associate Chair for EducationFounder and Chief, Movement Disorders Center
Karlo J. Lizarraga, MD, MSc is a neurologist and movement disorders specialist with expertise in Parkinson's disease and other complex neurological conditions, such as Lewy body dementia. He has trained ...
Karlo J. Lizarraga, MD, MSc is a neurologist and movement disorders specialist with expertise in Parkinson's disease and other complex neurological conditions, such as Lewy body dementia. He has trained and worked at leading institutions in the United States and Canada, including the University of Miami, University of Toronto, and University of Rochester, where he served as chief of the division of movement disorders. His work focuses on understanding and treating disorders that affect movement and cognition, with a particular interest in using advanced neurophysiological approaches to improve care. Dr. Lizarraga will be the founder and chief of the Movement Disorders Center at The University of Texas at Austin, where he will help develop specialized clinical care, research, and education for people living with movement disorders and related conditions, including Lewy Body Dementia.
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Karen Fingerman
Director, Texas Institute on Dementia, Aging and Longevity (TIDAL)
Co-Director, Center on Aging and Population Sciences (CAPS)
Wilson Regents Professor in Human EcologyKaren 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.
Location
WCP Student Activity Center, 2.302 Legislative Assembly Room
The University of Texas at Austin
This webinar is open to the general public. No Zoom account is required to register or attend.