Alzheimer's Association Professional Education
The Professional Education faculty collectively has more than 150 years of experience in dementia care. All are staff members of the Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter.
Melanie Adams is the Director, Education & Outreach in the Joliet office of the Greater Illinois Chapter and previously served in the Chapter’s southern Illinois office. She has more than 10 years of experience working with special populations and caregivers in a variety of settings and began her career as a direct care worker. She has a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation with a minor in special education from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in organization leadership from Lewis University.
Melanie Chavin is Vice President of Program Services for the Greater Illinois Chapter. She has worked with people with dementia and caregivers in a variety of residential and community-based settings and has provided direct care, education, training, and consultation to many organizations serving older adults. She has authored numerous publications on music therapy and dementia including the book, The Lost Chord: Reaching the Person with Dementia through the Power of Music. She has also authored and co-authored several training curricula. She has a bachelor's degree in fine arts from De Paul University and a master's degree in human services/gerontology from National-Louis University.
Susan Sklar is the Program Manager for the Rockford office. She has a personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease as a caregiver for her mother. Before joining the Association, she was the Program Services Director at a large non-profit agency in Rockford. She has also taught Powerful Tools for Caregivers, facilitated a caregiver support group, and serves on many non-profit boards. She is a Senior Health Insurance Program counselor and volunteers her services to assist older adults with their Medicare prescription drug plans.
