Annual Conference

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Conference Agenda

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

GENERAL SESSIONS
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks/Conference Overview
9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.Session 1: Keynote Session: A Global Update on Alzheimer’s Research

Carl V. Hill, PhD, MPH – Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Alzheimer’s Association, Washington D.C.
  • Discuss global advances in Alzheimer’s and dementia research with a focus on early detection and diagnosis, advances in clinical trials, and treatment interventions.
  • Describe various areas of focus including biomarkers, neuroimaging therapies, and retinal imaging.
  • Discuss evidenced – based lifestyle interventions and pharmaceutical advances.
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Break/Virtual Exhibits Open
11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Session 2: Research 101: Understanding Clinical Research
Beverly Gwen Windham, MD – Professor of Clinical Geriatrics and Gerontology, Director of Neuroepidemiology Research Core, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Stacee Naylor, MSN, RN, CCRP– Director of Clinical Research Operations, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Hilliard Lackey III, PhD - Panelist – Participant, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, Jackson, MS
Noel Daniels – Panelist – Participant, Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) Study, Jackson, MS
  • Define types of clinical research, ethical considerations and how safety of research participants is protected for participants.
  • Recognize ways to promote research recruitment and diversity.
  • Identify strategies to discern validity of research findings and new treatments.
  • Explore benefits and risks of research participation including ethical and cultural considerations and diversity from a participant perspective.
12:45p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Lunch
1:30 p.m.- 1:45 p.m.Virtual Exhibits open
GENERAL SESSION
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.		Session 3: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Kim Tarver, MD, - Moderator – Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Director of Clinical Services, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Ardarian Pierre, MD – Panelist – Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Sonya Shipley, MD – Panelist – Associate Professor, Family Medicine, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Gabe Ibarra, PA-C – Panelist – Physician Assistant, St. Dominic Health Systems, Canton, MS
Cynthia Armstrong, PhD – Panelist – Caregiver University Alumna, Retired Educator, Entrepreneur, Jackson, MS
  • Identify domains of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia where racial and ethnic disparities exist.
  • Explore inequities within communities of color in Mississippi including Alzheimer’s and dementia prevalence.
  • Identify barriers to preventative and medical care access. Discuss disparities in research.
  • Identify strategies to promote early detection and treatment in communities of color.
3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.Virtual Exhibits Open
ON-DEMAND SESSIONS
3:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
On-Demand Viewing – Participant choice
5:15 p.m. Meeting Concludes – Dinner on your own

 Thursday, August 26, 2021

GENERAL SESSION
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.		Session 4: COVID Impact on Older Adults and BOLD Public Health Approach to Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias

Daniel P. Edney, MD
Kina L. White, DrPH, MHSA, FACHE - Director, Office of Community Health Improvement, Mississippi State Department of Health, Jackson, MS
  • Describe the current status of the COVID pandemic and the push for vaccinations across the US and in Mississippi, when herd immunity may be reached, and what type of resurgence may be expected in the winter.
  • Discuss the impact of COVID-19 on older adults and specifically people living with dementia and their caregivers. 
  • Highlight early research related to the long term effect of COVID on cognition and brain health.
  • Provide an overview about the Building our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s (BOLD) Act and enhanced public health approaches to address Alzheimer’s and related dementias in Mississippi.
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Break/Sponsor Exhibits Open
GENERAL SESSION
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.		Session 5: Assessment and Treatment of Communication, Cognitive, and Swallowing Disorders in Dementia

Sarah Faucette, AuD, PhD, CCC-A, F-AAA – Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Rinki Varindani Desai, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, CDP – Medical Speech-Language Pathologist, Dysphagia Specialist, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
  • Identify changes in cognitive, linguistic, speech, and swallowing function in individuals with different types of dementia.
  • Describe practical strategies to manage communication and swallowing impairments in individuals with dementia across the continuum of care.
  • Recognize how to differentiate communication patterns between hearing loss or cognitive impairment.
  • Discuss appropriate strategies available for individuals and families.
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Virtual Exhibits open
GENERAL SESSION
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.		Session 6: Managing Challenging Behaviors

Bonnie Moore, RN – Director of Patient Care, St. Dominic’s Behavioral Health, Jackson, MS
Rod Green, MSN, PMHNP-BC – Nurse Practitioner Specialist, Precise Research Centers, Flowood, MS
Sue Ann Meng, LCSW – Social Worker, The MIND Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
  • Recognize challenging behaviors as indicators of physical and psychological distress.
  • Identify strategies to manage challenging behaviors including diversion techniques.
  • Identify when a higher level of care should be considered.
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.Virtual Exhibits Open
ON-DEMAND SESSIONS
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Virtual/In-Person Attendees:
On-Demand Viewing – Participant choice
5:00 p.m.Meeting Concludes – Dinner on your own

 Friday, August 27, 2021

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Seated Pre-Packaged Breakfast, Video Scrapbook, and Door Prizes
GENERAL SESSIONS
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 		Session 7: The Correlation Between Nutrition and Brain Health

Teresa Carithers, PhD, RD, LD, FAND – Interim Chair, Department of Applied Gerontology, Professor of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi School of Applied Sciences, Oxford, MS
  • Compare the relationship between diet and inflammation and the correlation with the development and progression of dementias.
  • Examine evidence-based nutritional studies and their potential to impact brain health.
  • Identify evidenced-based nutrition practices that support brain health across the lifespan.
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Stretch Break
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Session 8: Thriving in the Midst of Adversity

Marshall Ramsey – Editor-At-Large, Mississippi Today, Jackson, MS
  • Discuss the benefit of strength-based approaches in overcoming adverse circumstances.
  • Identify positive coping mechanisms to apply in stressful events.
  • Explore care strategies to foster creativity and self-preservation.
12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Closing Remarks
12:30 p.m. Conference Concludes