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Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
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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

Chapter Staff (alphabetical listing)
Click here for a list of office locations

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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