An internationally recognized expert on the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease will be the featured speaker at a free public forum on the topic this Saturday (May 10).
Ronald C. Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, will address mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Petersen has edited four books and authored more than 300 peer-reviewed articles on memory disorders, aging and Alzheimer's disease. He serves on the National Advisory Council on Aging of the National Institute on Aging and is currently the chair of the medical and scientific advisory council of the Alzheimer's Association.
“This public forum on Alzheimer’s disease offers residents of Winston-Salem and the region the chance to hear from the foremost experts in the field about prevention, treatment and how to deal with the emotional impact of the disease,” said Edward Shaw, M.D., director of the Memory Assessment Clinic Counseling Center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. “Dr. Petersen is one of the most recognized Alzheimer’s researchers in the world. To have him available to us is truly amazing.”
The public forum will be held at the Winston-Salem Marriott at Twin City Quarters, 425 N. Cherry Street, and is part of a three-day professional conference organized by Wake Forest School of Medicine and Northwest Area Health Education Center.
During the conference, Winston-Salem playwright Garrett Davis will present two of his award-winning stage productions. Davis serves as an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Association and was named the 2012 Alzheimer’s “Advocate of the Year.”
The first play, “Forget Me Not,” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 8.
On Saturday, following the public forum, the production of “Mama’s Girls” will begin at 3 p.m.
Both performances are open to the public free of charge and will be presented at the Arts Council Theater, 610 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem. Call 336-448-1805 for information on how to reserve a seat/seats.
Schedule for the Public Forum on Alzheimer’s Disease
7:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast.
8:30 a.m. Welcome by Lanie Pope, WXII chief meteorologist.
8:45 a.m. “Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: Think Global, Act Local,” Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D.
9:30 a.m. “Prevention, Diet, Exercise and Nutrition,” Laura Baker, Ph.D., a Wake Forest Baptist researcher who has conducted clinical trials in the areas of aging, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
10 a.m. “Promising Therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention and Treatment,” Suzanne Craft, Ph.D., also of Wake Forest Baptist, whose research investigates the role of insulin resistance and diabetes in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
10:30 a.m. Break.
11 a.m. “Alzheimer’s Disease: The Caregiver’s Perspective,” Edward Shaw, M.D.
11:45 a.m. “Raising Alzheimer’s Awareness,” Garrett Davis, award-winning playwright.
12:15 p.m. Speaker Panel: Questions and Discussion.
3 p.m. “Mama’s Girls” a Garrett Davis Production, Arts Council Theatre.
Media Relations
Shannon Putnam: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587
Mac Ingraham: mingraha@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3487