ADRC unveils newest team members: Meet the fresh faces furthering our heart-led work

The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center is thrilled to introduce new team members who bring both expertise and enthusiasm for the work that we do. There is such a wealth of knowledge and passion among our board and staff, and it is with sincere gratitude and warmth that we welcome these newest additions.

Katy Smith, Director of Clinical Operations for the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation

Meet Katy Smith, the Director of Clinical Operations for the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation . She has a mental health counseling license and has been working with GAP for nearly six years, but has been in the field for 15 years.

“It’s my true passion,” she said. “It impacts so many people I know and people that I love. I will not give up personally until we have more resources and more treatments for Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia.”

Her non-profit accelerates clinical trials, and she joined ADRC’s Board of Directors because she was seeking to have a direct impact on people living with Alzheimer’s or related conditions.

The ADRC mission touched Smith, and she is energized and excited to expand our footprint.

Her favorite parts of being a Board Member so far?

“Being in a room with people who are equally passionate about helping, and everyone there is volunteering their time, and socializing with people who are aligned with my mission to make a difference in the world,” she said. “All of our hearts are in the right place, and I think you can do a lot when you have that passion.”

Stacey Schwartz, Florida Board Certified Elder Law Attorney, Flammia Elder Law Firm

Meet Stacey Schwartz, Florida Board Certified Elder Law Attorney at Flammia Elder Law Firm . She supports older adults navigating various long-term care issues.

“I enjoy building relationships with my clients to understand what their individual needs are,” she said. “Ultimately, I hope to make a positive impact on the lives of my clients and their families and provide peace of mind and security. As a board member, I can pass along my knowledge of trending legal issues and how to best navigate planning for long-term care.”

Schwartz joined ADRC’s Board of Directors because she understands just how widespread Alzheimer’s and related diseases are within the community.

“As an elder law attorney, I see families every day who have a loved one living with some form of Alzheimer’s or dementia,” she said. “I’ve seen firsthand the pressure of being a care person, and ADRC has become a great referral for me to give to those who truly need support in navigating how to take care of a loved one with this diagnosis.”

Meet Barbara Mills, ADRC Brain Bank Coordinator. Mills spent nearly three decades running a tour company that catered to older adults before she became Kinneret Council on Aging’s Program Administrator. In that role she supported seniors who had minimal income.

“What drew me to ADRC was knowing what an amazing resource we are to the community and that I would be making a difference in the lives of others by being part of that support system,” she said.