Memory Symposium:
Understanding Brain Health and Dementia
Join us for the 2nd Annual Memory Symposium: Understanding Brain Health and Dementia — a conference designed for rural health care professionals ready to deepen their expertise, gain practical tools, and bring cutting-edge dementia care back to their communities.
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Gain insights from leading experts in neurology, geriatrics, and mental health as they share practical strategies for supporting families affected by dementia. Our sessions are tailored to address the unique challenges faced by rural health care providers. Connect with fellow professionals, exchange experiences, and build a supportive network.
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Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
THIS EVENT IS IN PERSON
Agenda
08:30 - 09:15 a.m.
Registration/Networking Breakfast
​
09:15 - 09:30 a.m.
Welcome/Opening Remarks
09:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Assessment: A Practical Update for Rural Healthcare Professionals
Mary Pohlmann, MD, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, SIU School of Medicine
Accurate and timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease remains a significant challenge, particularly in rural and resource-limited settings where access to specialists, diagnostic tools and support services may be limited. Primary care clinicians and front-line healthcare professionals often serve as the first, and sometimes only, point of contact for patients experiencing cognitive decline, underscoring the need for practical, team-based approaches to assessment and care.
​
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Emerging Disease-Modifying Therapeutics in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Clinical Integration and Patient-Centered Implementation
Rob Reichert, PharmD, Deaconess Health System
The approval of disease-modifying therapies — including Lecanemab and Donanemab — marks a paradigm shift from symptomatic management to biomarker-guided treatment for Alzheimer's disease. This one-hour presentation offers healthcare professionals a review of newly approved and emerging therapeutics for Alzheimer's and related dementias. Topics include clinical trial data, patient selection, biomarker utilization (amyloid PET, CSF analysis), ARIA surveillance, infusion logistics, reimbursement and real-world implementation. The session also explores pipeline therapies targeting tau, neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction — and their implications for interprofessional teams across neurology, primary care, geriatrics, psychiatry, pharmacy and nursing.
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch & Illinois Brain Health Project Overview
12:30 - 01:30 p.m.
Effective Communication Strategies in Caregiving for Patients with Memory Impairments
Elaine Jurkowski, PhD, M.S.W., M.BA., Professor, College of Health & Human Services, SIU Carbondale
Effective communication is a cornerstone of high-quality care for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and memory impairment. As cognitive decline affects language, comprehension and emotional regulation, healthcare professionals must adapt their approaches to reduce distress, improve cooperation and preserve patient dignity. This one-hour session provides practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance communication across all stages of memory impairment. Participants will explore how cognitive changes impact behavior and how ineffective communication can contribute to agitation and poor clinical outcomes. Topics include simplification of language, nonverbal cues, validation of emotion and redirection. This activity equips rural healthcare professionals with actionable tools to strengthen their clinical practice.
01:30 - 01:45 p.m.
Break
01:45 - 02:55 p.m.
U.S.POINTER – Topline Results of a Large Multisite Randomized Controlled Multidomain Lifestyle Intervention Trial
Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Rush University Medical Center
This session provides an overview of the U.S. POINTER trial—one of the largest U.S. randomized controlled multidomain lifestyle intervention trials for dementia prevention—covering its objectives, design, recruitment, enrollment, statistical outcomes and clinical relevance. Participants will review topline cognitive outcomes and explore implications for brain health and Alzheimer's prevention, plus the latest ancillary research on biological and behavioral mechanisms underlying cognitive resilience. The session will also highlight objective brain health assessments—including biomarkers, Alzheimer's genetic risk (e.g., APOE), and neuroimaging—and practical approaches to returning results and translating them into personalized, evidence-based recommendations for brain health and healthy aging.
02:55 - 03:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Date / Time / Location:
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Thursday, September 10, 2026
-
9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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John A. Logan College - 700 Logan College Rd., Carterville, IL 62918
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Key Topics:
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Diagnosis and Assessment
-
New FDA Approved Therapeutics
-
Effective Communication
-
Latest Best Practices in Brain Health Interventions ​
​
Cost:
There is no cost to attend this conference, and continuing education credits are provided complimentary to all attendees.
​
Who Should Attend?
-
Professional I (Professional caregiver, direct care staff, administrator; please note, no continuing education credits offered)
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Professional II (Health and allied health professional with CEU or CME)
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Those seeking Certificate of Completion and Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs).
​
Continuing Education:
4.0 contact / clock hours and 4.0 CME Category II hours offered for the following professionals:
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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
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Counselor-Professional/Clinical
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Dietitian/Nutrition Counselor
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Marriage and Family Counselor
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Nurse (APN, RN, LPN)
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Nursing Home Administrator
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Occupational Therapist/COTA
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Physical Therapist/PTA
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Physician
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Psychologist
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Respiratory Therapist
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Social Worker (LSW, LCSW)
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Others, please inquire at gkuhn@alz.org
​
Contact:
For additional questions, please reach out to Gene Kuhn, Senior Health Systems Account Manager at the Alzheimer's Association, at gkuhn@alz.org.
​
Planning Committee:
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Becky Salazar, Executive Director, Egyptian Area Agency on Aging
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Susan Grace, MSW, Neurology, SIU Carbondale
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Ann Jirmasek, MA, MA, LCPC, NCC, Clinical Gerontology Specialist, Smith Alzheimer’s Center Neuroscience Institute (NSI), SIU School of Medicine
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Maret Visser, Manager, MedSurg Unit, SSM Southern Illinois Regional Hospital
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Courtney Thomas, Regional Manager, Neuroscience, Deaconess Health System
-
Cindy Womack, FNP-BC – Nurse Practitioner, Smith Alzheimer’s Center Neuroscience Institute (NSI), SIU School of Medicine
Date / Time / Location:
-
Thursday, September 10, 2026
-
9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
-
John A. Logan College - 700 Logan College Rd., Carterville, IL 62918
​
Key Topics:
-
Diagnosis and Assessment
-
New FDA Approved Therapeutics
-
Effective Communication
-
Latest Best Practices in Brain Health Interventions ​
​
Cost:
There is no cost to attend this conference, and continuing education credits are provided complementary to all attendees.
​
Who Should Attend?
-
Professional I (Professional caregiver, direct care staff, administrator; please note, no continuing education credits offered)
-
Professional II (Health and allied health professional with CEU or CME)
-
Those seeking Certificate of Completion and Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs).
​
Continuing Education:
4.0 contact / clock hours and 4.0 CME Category II hours offered for the following professionals:
-
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
-
Counselor-Professional/Clinical
-
Dietitian/Nutrition Counselor
-
Marriage and Family Counselor
-
Nurse (APN, RN, LPN)
-
Nursing Home Administrator
-
Occupational Therapist/COTA
-
Physical Therapist/PTA
-
Physician
-
Psychologist
-
Respiratory Therapist
-
Social Worker (LSW, LCSW)
-
Others, please inquire at gkuhn@alz.org
​
Contact:
For additional questions, please reach out to Gene Kuhn, Senior Health Systems Account Manager at the Alzheimer's Association, at gkuhn@alz.org.
​
Planning Committee:
-
Becky Salazar, Executive Director, Egyptian Area Agency on Aging
-
Susan Grace, MSW, Neurology, SIU Carbondale
-
Ann Jirmasek, MA, MA, LCPC, NCC, Clinical Gerontology Specialist, Smith Alzheimer’s Center Neuroscience Institute (NSI), SIU School of Medicine
-
Maret Visser, Manager, MedSurg Unit, SSM Southern Illinois Regional Hospital
-
Courtney Thomas, Regional Manager, Neuroscience, Deaconess Health System
-
Cindy Womack, FNP-BC – Nurse Practitioner, Smith Alzheimer’s Center Neuroscience Institute (NSI), SIU School of Medicine
Agenda
08:30 - 09:15 a.m.
Registration/Networking Breakfast
09:15 - 09:30 a.m.
Welcome/Opening Remarks
09:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Assessment: A Practical Update for Rural Healthcare Professionals
Mary Pohlmann, MD, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, SIU School of Medicine
Accurate and timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease remains a significant challenge, particularly in rural and resource-limited settings where access to specialists, diagnostic tools and support services may be limited. Primary care clinicians and front-line healthcare professionals often serve as the first, and sometimes only, point of contact for patients experiencing cognitive decline, underscoring the need for practical, team-based approaches to assessment and care.
​
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Emerging Disease-Modifying Therapeutics in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Clinical Integration and Patient-Centered Implementation
Rob Reichert, PharmD, Deaconess Health System
The approval of disease-modifying therapies — including Lecanemab and Donanemab — marks a paradigm shift from symptomatic management to biomarker-guided treatment for Alzheimer's disease. This one-hour presentation offers healthcare professionals a review of newly approved and emerging therapeutics for Alzheimer's and related dementias. Topics include clinical trial data, patient selection, biomarker utilization (amyloid PET, CSF analysis), ARIA surveillance, infusion logistics, reimbursement and real-world implementation. The session also explores pipeline therapies targeting tau, neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction — and their implications for interprofessional teams across neurology, primary care, geriatrics, psychiatry, pharmacy and nursing.
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch & Illinois Brain Health Project Overview
12:30 - 01:30 p.m.
Effective Communication Strategies in Caregiving for Patients with Memory Impairments
Elaine Jurkowski, PhD, M.S.W., M.BA., Professor, College of Health & Human Services, SIU Carbondale
Effective communication is a cornerstone of high-quality care for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and memory impairment. As cognitive decline affects language, comprehension, and emotional regulation, healthcare professionals must adapt their approaches to reduce distress, improve cooperation and preserve patient dignity. This one-hour session provides practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance communication across all stages of memory impairment. Participants will explore how cognitive changes impact behavior and how ineffective communication can contribute to agitation and poor clinical outcomes. Topics include simplification of language, nonverbal cues, validation of emotion and redirection. This activity equips rural healthcare professionals with actionable tools to strengthen their clinical practice.
01:30 - 01:45 p.m.
Break
01:45 - 02:55 p.m.
U.S.POINTER – Topline Results of a Large Multisite Randomized Controlled Multidomain Lifestyle Intervention Trial
Tom Holland, MD, PhD, Rush University Health System
This session provides an overview of the U.S. POINTER trial—one of the largest U.S. randomized controlled multidomain lifestyle intervention trials for dementia prevention—covering its objectives, design, recruitment, enrollment, statistical outcomes, and clinical relevance. Participants will review topline cognitive outcomes and explore implications for brain health and Alzheimer's prevention, plus the latest ancillary research on biological and behavioral mechanisms underlying cognitive resilience. The session will also highlight objective brain health assessments—including biomarkers, Alzheimer's genetic risk (e.g., APOE), and neuroimaging—and practical approaches to returning results and translating them into personalized, evidence-based recommendations for brain health and healthy aging.
02:55 - 03:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
THIS EVENT IS IN PERSON
Presenters
Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS
Elaine T. Jurkowski, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.B.A
Mary Pohlmann, MD, Ph.D.
Rob Reichert, PharmD, RPh
Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS, is a physician-scientist at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging and Chair of the Research Core at the Center for Excellence in Aging, known for landmark Neurology-published research linking flavonols and diet to Alzheimer's risk and cognitive decline—work that has reached billions of readers and earned him recognition as one of Doximity's Top 10% Most Mentioned Clinicians in the Press (2024). Trained under MIND diet co-creator Martha Clare Morris, Sc.D., he is currently pursuing a PhD in neurodegeneration while serving as Medical Advisor and Study Clinician for the U.S. POINTER trial and on the Board of Trustees for Mind What Matters, advancing Alzheimer's prevention and advocacy.
​
An award-winning educator (2025 Research Mentor of the Year) and frequent invited lecturer at institutions like Tufts, UC Davis and Villanova, Dr. Holland speaks widely at national and international conferences on how lifestyle and community-based interventions can improve brain health and healthy aging.
Dr. Jurkowski has worked within the area of aging and disability throughout her professional and academic career. She earned her MSW from the University of Manitoba, Canada and PhD in Public Health and Social Policy from the University of Illinois Chicago (USA). She has written nine textbooks and numerous articles within the areas of aging, disability, access to health care and rural health disparities for older adults and people with disabilities. She has also served in various academic roles that promote the education of the geriatric workforce, including the coordinator of SIU’s Certificate in Gerontology program.
Dr. Mary Pohlmann is a retired family practice physician, having spent most of her medical career as a physician and medical chief of staff for the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Health Service. She is a 1983 graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and has both MD and PhD degrees from SIU. She completed her Family Practice residency in 1986 in Carbondale and was chief resident for her final year. She was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 2024.
Since her retirement from SIU in 2002, she has served on the Jackson County Medical Reserve Corps and as a volunteer instructor of physical exam and interviewing skills for first-year medical students at SIU. She served 20 years on the Jackson County Board of Health, four years as Councilmember of the Carbondale City Council and was the chair of the Smoke-Free Carbondale Coalition. She also enjoys teaching medically related courses for Southern Illinois Learning in Retirement and recently completed training as a Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Rob Reichert, PharmD, RPh currently serves as the Pharmacy Director at Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital and Pharmacy lead for the Deaconess Illinois Union County Memory Clinic infusion program that specializes in the infusions of amyloid beta monoclonal antibodies. Mr. Reichert obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, is a registered pharmacist in Illinois and has 15 years of Critical Access Hospital pharmacy experience. He has significant experience in the Development of new multiple clinical pharmacy processes including Antimicrobial Stewardship, Opioid Stewardship and outpatient infusion programs. Mr. Reichert currently is on faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as a Pharmacology Instructor for the Physician Assistant Program. In this role specializing in providing disease-specific lectures with a focus on physiologic functions, medication mechanism of actions and appropriate medication utilization.
This conference is free to attend, and all continuing education credits are complimentary to those who attend.
​
This conference is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $80,000.00 with 46% funded by the CDC/HHS and 54% funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
​
Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Presenters
Dr. Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS
Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS, is a physician-scientist at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging and Chair of the Research Core at the Center for Excellence in Aging, known for landmark Neurology-published research linking flavonols and diet to Alzheimer's risk and cognitive decline—work that has reached billions of readers and earned him recognition as one of Doximity's Top 10% Most Mentioned Clinicians in the Press (2024). Trained under MIND diet co-creator Martha Clare Morris, Sc.D., he is currently pursuing a PhD in neurodegeneration while serving as Medical Advisor and Study Clinician for the U.S. POINTER trial and on the Board of Trustees for Mind What Matters, advancing Alzheimer's prevention and advocacy.
​
An award-winning educator (2025 Research Mentor of the Year) and frequent invited lecturer at institutions like Tufts, UC Davis, and Villanova, Dr. Holland speaks widely at national and international conferences on how lifestyle and community-based interventions can improve brain health and healthy aging.
Elaine T. Jurkowski, Ph.D, M.S.W., M.B.A
Dr. Jurkowski has worked within the area of aging and disability throughout her professional and academic career. She earned her MSW from the University of Manitoba, Canada and PhD in Public Health and Social Policy from the University of Illinois Chicago (USA). She has written nine textbooks and numerous articles within the areas of aging, disability, access to health care and rural health disparities for older adults and people with disabilities. She has also served in various academic roles that promote the education of the geriatric workforce, including the Co-ordinator of SIU’s Certificate in Gerontology program.
Dr. Mary Pohlmann, MD, PhD
Dr. Mary Pohlmann is a retired family practice physician, having spent most of her medical career as a physician and medical chief of staff for the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Health Service. She is a 1983 graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and has both MD and PhD degrees from SIU. She completed her Family Practice residency in 1986 in Carbondale and was chief resident for her final year. She was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 2024.
Since her retirement from SIU in 2002, she has served on the Jackson County Medical Reserve Corps and as a volunteer instructor of physical exam and interviewing skills for first-year medical students at SIU. She served 20 years on the Jackson County Board of Health, four years as Councilmember of the Carbondale City Council, and was the chair of the Smoke-Free Carbondale Coalition. She also enjoys teaching medically related courses for Southern Illinois Learning in Retirement and recently completed training as a Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Rob Reichert, Pharma, RPh
Rob Reichert, PharmD, RPh currently serves as the Pharmacy Director at Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital and Pharmacy lead for the Deaconess Illinois Union County Memory Clinic infusion program that specializes in the infusions of amyloid beta monoclonal antibodies. Mr. Reichert obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, is a registered pharmacist in Illinois and has 15 years of Critical Access Hospital pharmacy experience. He has significant experience in the Development of new multiple clinical pharmacy processes including Antimicrobial Stewardship, Opioid Stewardship, and outpatient infusion programs. Mr. Reichert currently is on faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as a Pharmacology Instructor for the Physician Assistant Program. In this role specializing in providing disease-specific lectures with a focus on physiologic functions, medication mechanism of actions, and appropriate medication utilization.
This conference is free to attend, and all continuing education credits are complimentary to those who attend.
​
This conference is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $80,000.00 with 46% funded by the CDC/HHS and 54% funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
​
Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.