Presenters

We are proud to announce an impressive slate of respected professionals speaking at this year's conference. Learn more below.

Biographies

Keynote Speaker: Christopher Weber, Ph.D

Director, Global Science Initiatives, Alzheimer's Association

Christopher Weber, Ph.D., Director, Global Science Initiatives, oversees efforts to advance the scientific agenda of the Alzheimer's Association, the world's largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, with more than $360 million currently invested in over 1,000 projects in 53 countries. With over 20 years of clinical research experience, Dr. Weber is responsible for communicating the global research landscape of Alzheimer's and dementia, including the breadth and reach of the Association's research programs and the critical need for increased research funding from the public and private sectors. Dr. Weber directs Association initiatives that convene leaders from across the field to develop, expand and increase the success rate of Alzheimer's diagnostic tools and drugs to treat and prevent the disease. Dr. Weber received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He holds a master's degree in kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. In his personal time, he fundraises for Alzheimer's Association research.

Nicole Atchison, LPC, R-DMT

Memory Support Program Manager

Nicole Atchison, LPC, R-DMT, is the Memory Support Program Manager at RiverWoods Durham. With a career dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals living with dementia, Nicole has a wealth of experience with program development and gerontology. She has focused on creating tailored strategies that not only support residents living with cognitive change, but also empower and educate those providing care. Her commitment to advancing person-centered care within the spectrum of cognitive change has resulted in transformative and compassionate approaches that utilize individualized support for all.

Beth Cardillo, M.Ed, LSW CDP

Social Worker

Beth Edelberg-Cardillo, M.Ed. LSW, CDP is a Social Worker providing home visits to families who have members of the household living with dementia. Previously, Beth served as the Executive Director of Armbrook Village Assisted Living. Beth has been an Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Facilitator for over fifteen years, participated in the Pioneer Valley Walk for over ten years, and currently serves as the Walk Sponsorship Committee Chair.

Michael Corjulo, APRN

Pediatric Primary Care Provider; Certified Pediatric Mental Health Specialist

Michael Corjulo is a graduate of the Yale School of Nursing and has worked in a variety of settings over the past 40 years, 25 as an APRN. He is currently a pediatric primary care provider and a certified pediatric mental health specialist. His relevant experience here is as the primary caregiver for his wife who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2018 when she was 56 years old. Michael kept personal, honest, and unavoidably emotional records of the successes, challenges, and trauma of their lived experience navigating this disease.

Amber Evans, MA, LCMHC, BC-DEd, R-DMT

Vice President of Memory Care and Resident Engagement Services

Amber Evans is the Vice President of Memory Care and Resident Engagement Services for LCB Senior Living. She oversees all aspects of the company’s renowned and award-winning Reflections Memory Care program, as well as their Engagement Program with their cutting edge 5 Principles for Vitality for thriving senior living. Amber received her dual master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University New England. Amber entered Senior Living as an Expressive Art Therapist working directly with individuals with various forms of dementia around supportive communication, expression and emotional support, and joined the LCB Senior Living family in 2014. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist who specializes in therapeutic and expressive art interventions for people living with dementia, as well as for their families. Amber is also a Board Certified Dementia Educator through the National Institute for Dementia Education (NIDE) and serves on their Standards Of Excellence Council as Vice Chair of Education and Outreach. Amber also is proud to serve on the Board for the NH/MA Chapters of the Alzheimer's Association, she currently lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two daughters.

Judith Paré, PhD, RN

Nurse Educator

Judith Paré PhD, RN, is an experienced nurse educator who rejoined the Massachusetts Nurses Association in June, 2023. Prior to that, Judith had a dual role as a Clinical Professor & Program Director for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program for the Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Judith remains active as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University and as an Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University. Her areas of expertise include rural nursing, psychiatric nursing, and community health. Judith is a published author and a national speaker in the fields of dementia care and the lived experiences of rural and remote nurses.

Alina Sibley, NP

Lead Nurse Practitioner

Alina Sibley, FNP-BC, works at Baystate Medical Center for the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Project/HRSA grant. Her responsibilities as Lead Nurse Practitioner (NP) have included leadership of operations for the Geri-Pals outpatient interdisciplinary team, which has provided consistent gold standard Age-Friendly Care to patients and families in the community. Alina continues to participate in educational initiatives for Baystate’s three Community Clinics and other partners of the grant as well as community organizations. She has taught in several venues including, but not limited to, the Geriatrics TeleECHO sessions, the Annual Geriatrics Immersion course, Elms College NP program and has provided preceptorships to several learners throughout the years. Alina also published several abstracts on varied Geriatric topics and is ANCC certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and dementia certified. She has worked for most of her NP career in the field of Geriatrics and is highly engaged in local and national efforts to improve the care for frail older adults.

Izckra Speight, CHW

Community Health Worker

Izckra Speight is currently working as a Community Health Worker with Baystate House Calls, a program serving the older adult population. With a background in medicine, and raised by a grandmother, she was inspired to get actively engaged in the world of geriatrics. One of her passions is supporting older adults to enjoy independent and meaningful lives. She has obtained certifications such as Senior Advisor, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Teepa Snow PAC Independent Consultant.

Rebecca Symmons, RN

Geriatric House Calls Nurse Educator

Rebecca J Symmonsm, RN is the current Geriatric House Calls Nurse Educator at Baystate Medical Center, Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and a proud graduate of Westfield State University with a BSN. Inspired to pursue a career in the field of nursing by her grandmother, Rebecca has found her calling in the specialty of Geriatrics. She has obtained certifications as a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is currently a certified Teepa Snow trainer, providing monthly workshops in a positive approach to care. In addition, Rebecca is a member of the American Geriatric Society.

Bonnie Wong, PhD/ABPP-CN

Neuropsychologist

Dr. Wong is a board-certified neuropsychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience working with adults affected by a range of neurologic conditions. She has been instrumental in developing new initiatives at teaching hospitals within the Harvard Medical School system, including an interventional neuropsychology clinic focused on brain health and cognitive rehabilitation. Currently, she is Director of the Neuropsychology Program with the Frontotemporal Disorders Unit at MGH. Her unique blend of expertise in classical piano, Flamenco, and neuroscience led her to develop a Music and Cognition training protocol and a cognitive skills-building group for patients with atypical neurodegenerative disorders. This approach was further expanded into therapeutic community dance programs. Dr. Wong has published articles on memory disorders, delirium, and aging. Her research interests include cognitive-behavioral interventions in early-stage or pre-clinical dementia, exploring the impact of music and movement therapies in neurodegenerative diseases and caregivers, and Superaging.