About Us
The Alzheimer’s Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
Our Mission
To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Our Vision
A world without Alzheimer's disease.
Financial Information
The Alzheimer's Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donor-supported organization. Programs and services are made possible through contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations. The chapter uses 80% of all funds raised for programs, services and research efforts.
Annual Report
Paul Anderson, Vice President Finance
andersonp@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 132
Fax: 727-578-2286
Chuck Albrecht, MBA, Senior Vice President
albrechtc@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 123
Fax: 727-578-2286
Henry Cancel, Program Specialist
cancelh@alzflgulf.org
4075 Tamiami Trail #2
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Office: 941-235-7470
Fax: 941-235-7473
Catherine Cruikshank, PhD, Southern Region Program Director
cruikshankc@alzflgulf.org
Pinebrook Suites
12995 South Cleveland Avenue
Suite # PBS 60
Fort Myers, FL 33907
Office: 239-418-1173
Fax: 239-418-1502
Melinda Faires, Receptionist
fairesm@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 120
Fax: 727-578-2286
Jerry Fisher, M.S.W., Program Specialist
fisherj@alzflgulf.org
4108 Lamson Avenue
Spring Hill, FL 34608
Office: 352-688-4537
Fax: 352-688-2291
Sue Fox, Program Specialist
foxs@alzflgulf.org
1230 South Tuttle Avenue (billing Purposes)
Sarasota, FL 34239
Office: 941-365-8883
Fax: 941-365-8885
Jane Johnson, Operations Manager
johnsonj@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 125
Fax: 727-578-2286
Peggy Macaluso, Director of Client Advocacy
Macalusop@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 131
Fax: 727-578-2286
Erna Messenger, Executive Assistant
messengere@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 124
Fax: 727-578-2286
Lisa Milne, North Region Program Director
milnel@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 133
Fax: 727-578-2286
Helen Nider, Program Specialist
niderh@alzflgulf.org
1230 South Tuttle Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34239
Office: 941-365-8883
Fax: 941-365-8885
Pam Polowski, Program Specialist
polowskip@alzflgulf.org
1230 South Tuttle Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34239
Office: 941-365-8883
Fax: 941-365-8885
Nancy Parente, Senior Bilingual Services Specialist
parenten@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 126
Fax: 727-578-2286
Larry Powell, Program Specialist
powelll@alzflgulf.org
1131 First Street South
Winter Haven, FL 33880-3902
Office: 863-292-9210
Fax: 863-292-9603
Lisa Rodriguez, Program Specialist
rodriguezl@alzflgulf.org
228 North Ridgewood Drive, 2nd Floor
Sebring, FL 33870
Office: 863-385-3444
Fax: 863-385-0305
Or mailing to: P.O. Box 1901
Sebring, FL 33871
Lori Sahler, Program Specialist
sahlerl@alzflgulf.org
309 North Parsons Avenue
Brandon, Fl. 33510 :
Office: 813-684-1296
Fax: 813-685-7213
Gloria J.T. Smith, President & CEO
smithg@alzflgulf.org
9365 U.S. Hwy 19 North-Suite B
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Office: 727-578-2558 x 123
Fax: 727-578-2286
Dwight “Moody” Shawger, Memory Mobile Driver
shawgerd@alzflgulf.org
Call your local office for questions regarding Memory Mobile scheduling
Stefanie A. Thompson, Program Specialist
thompsons@alzflgulf.org
P.O. Box 2962 (for Mailing purposes)
Lakeland, FL 33806-2962
Physical address: 520 South Florida Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801
Office: 863-688-4834
Toll free: 888-688-4834
Fax: 863-688-6461
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Board of Directors – Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
Officers
Chair
Richard Marx, Tampa
Vice-Chair
Babette Bach, Esq., Sarasota
Treasurer
Charlotte Howard, Brandon
Secretary
Margarita Nunez, M.D., St. Petersburg Directors
Edwin M. Boyer, Sarasota
Bruce A. Colby, Bradenton
Peggy Connelly, Palm Harbor
Jimmy Edmond, M.D., Springhill
Kerry M. Marsalek, MA, Clearwater
Alan Silverglat, Lakewood Ranch*
Janie Watson, Arcadia
* Also a member of the National Alzheimer's Association's Board of Directors
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Our History
The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter was founded in 1982, known then as the Tampa Bay Chapter it served Pinellas, Hillsborough and Polk counties. In 1999, the West Central Florida Chapter was merged with the Tampa Bay Chapter adding Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties increasing the Chapter's service region to seven counties. In 2003, the Sarasota/Manatee Chapter and the Southwest Florida Chapters were merged into the Tampa Bay Chapter. These mergers added Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardy, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota counties the Chapter's service region now totaling 17 counties. With a service region that geographically was not reflected in its name, the Tampa Bay Chapter changed its name to the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.
Within the 17 counties that comprise the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs estimates that in 2008 there are 187,072 people living with Alzheimer's disease and this number does not include the Snowbirds who reside in the region during the Winter months.
There are only eight states with higher incidence of Alzheimer's than that within or Chapter's service region. Nationally one in every 67 people of all ages has Alzheimer's disease. In the State of Florida it is one in every 38 people. In the areas served by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter it is 1 in every 30 - and for two of the Chapter's counties it has reached 1 every 19 people!
The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter meets the challenge of such overwhelming numbers through dedicated staff of 21 FTE based out of nine regional offices and a mobile office - the Memory Mobile targeting - rural and inner city communities.
It is estimated that there are over 501,000 people living with Alzheimer's disease in the State of Florida. That represents nearly 10% of the estimate 5.2 M cases in the United States.
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