Rita Jablonski, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FGSA

Dr. Jablonski started out as a nursing assistant, working her way through college. She has provided care to people with dementia across multiple settings. She is currently a nurse practitioner in a memory clinic, where she is the in-house expert on helping family caregivers manage difficult dementia behaviors. Dr. Jablonski is also a successful researcher and is leading or co-leading several active studies. She develops and tests ways to provide care to people with dementia who refuse help. She has published extensively on dementia caregiving in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Jablonski was also a family caregiver for a loved one with dementia. For fun, Dr. Jablonski loves to ride her horse, Zydeco. Amira, the pandemic puppy, accompanies both as they trot, canter (and occasionally gallop) through open fields!

Vicki Winstead, PhD

Dr. Winstead is a medical sociologist and family caregiver for several people with dementia. She is a researcher and is active on several projects, including a telemedicine study for family caregivers of persons with dementia. She is an accomplished musician and serves as one of the pianists for her church.