Internal medicine specialist and medical director of the St. John’s Medical Center Geriatric Connections program in Jackson, Dr. Martha Stearn has been elected to the board of directors of the Alzheimer’s Association of Wyoming.
“It’s an honor to join the Association’s board in Wyoming,” said Dr. Stearn. “Community awareness of Alzheimer’s disease is a priority.”
One of the biggest challenges facing the medical profession is that only half of the people in the U.S. living with Alzheimer’s – 10,300 in Wyoming among 6.9 million across the country – are ever diagnosed with the disease. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the key first step toward receiving appropriate care, both for the person with the disease and family caregivers.
Dr. Stearn, who founded the Institute for Cognitive Health in 2009 after receiving a “mini-fellowship” in cognitive health from the University of Utah, saw patients with cognitive concerns and issues until 2020. She then co-founded the Geriatric Connections program at St. Johns Health in 2020. The program utilizes an approach developed at Yale University that combines a primary care physician or geriatrician, social worker, occupational therapist, mental health provider, and a speech/cognitive therapist to provide a balance of care.
Dr. Stearn sees the synergy between the Alzheimer’s Association and her own medical practice.
“I use the Alzheimer’s Association website myself and refer all patients coping with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia to it, as well as their caregivers,” she said, adding that she has hosted numerous Alzheimer’s educational programs.
Beyond her professional experience, Dr. Stearn has had personal exposure to the disease. Both of her parents began showing signs of dementia in their ‘80s.
“They handled it very differently,” she said. “My mother was accepting and insightful to the end, and died at 92 of something else. My father ‘raged against the dying light’ and stopped eating. He died at 88.”
“Dr. Stearn’s willingness to join our board is important for multiple reasons,” said Debra Antista-Bianchi, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Wyoming. “First, she brings extensive medical expertise in our field to our board. In addition, she adds a credible, respected voice to our board from the northwest part of our state, helping broaden our representation in an area less familiar with the programs and services the Association offers at no charge to Wyoming residents.”
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.