ARPF is beyond grateful to have these 5 incredible brain health leaders contribute their time and expertise to Caregiver Appreciation Week.
Glenna Brewster, PhD, RN, FNP-BC
Dr. Glenna Brewster, an Assistant Professor on the tenure track at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, leads a robust research program with a dual focus. Firstly, she is committed to understanding sleep disturbances among persons living with cognitive impairment and dementia, along with their care partners. Her work involves tailoring and developing dyadic behavioral interventions to address the unique sleep challenges faced by this population. Secondly, Dr. Brewster actively participates in tailoring and creating psychoeducational interventions to support caregivers of persons living with dementia in the Caribbean.
Currently, Dr. Brewster is a recipient of funding from the National Institute on Aging. Beyond this, she has successfully secured funding from the Alzheimer’s Association, National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the Emory Global Health Institute. Dr. Brewster holds key leadership roles on the Board of Directors for the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Association.
Dr. Brewster’s educational background includes an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Broward College. She further holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science in Nursing, a Master’s of Arts in Gerontology, and a Ph.D. in Nursing Science, all earned from the University of South Florida. To augment her knowledge and skills, Dr. Brewster completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine.
Dr. Glenna will be presenting Sleep as Self-Care on Monday, November 10th
Sherry McAllister, MS(Ed), DC, CCSP, FACC
Dr. McAllister serves as the President of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, the national not-for-profit organization showcasing the benefits of chiropractic care across multiple platforms with over 37,000 members. Dr. McAllister earned her Master’s in Science from the University of California East Bay a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic West, where she served as an Associate Professor. Completed Two Certification programs: One from Stanford Graduate School of Business in Executive Leadership Development and one from Yale University: Science of Wellbeing. Dr. McAllister served as a Qualified Medical Examiner, Expert Chiropractic Witness for the State of California, and appointed to Forbes Non-Profit Leadership Council. She has been featured in several publications including: Forbes, Boss Magazine, Becker's Spine Review, Momtastic, LiveStrong, Martha Stewart Living, Managed Healthcare Executive, and News Break.
Awarded: Top Women in Healthcare: PR News Access Intelligence, Stevie Silver Award: Thought Leadership, Person of the Year Dynamic Chiropractic, Chiropractor of the Year by Women DC organization and the Joseph Janse Award from the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards.
Dr. McAllister will be presenting How to Stay Healthy as a Caregiver on Tuesday, November 11th
Dale Atkins, PhD, MA, BS
Dr. Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist who has more than 45 years of experience as a relationship expert focusing on families, wellness, aging well, caregiving (particularly for those who have Alzheimer’s Disease), life’s transitions, managing stress, and living a balanced, meaningful life. She has authored 8 books, most recently her first children’s book, The Turquoise Butterfly.
In addition to writing books, Dr. Atkins has written many chapters, articles, and journals for popular and professional audiences she lectures worldwide, often about intergenerational relationships, raising responsible, kind children and adapting to life’s challenges in healthy ways. Dr. Atkins co-created and hosted “Dr. Dale’s Life Issues,” (48 episodes shown on JTN and PBS). She is a recurring guest expert in the media who, for 22 years, frequently appeared on NBC’s “TODAY “show. She hosts / moderates forums for educators, parents, business leaders, and community action organizations on issues related to stress and resiliency. Dr. Atkins created two popular YouTube series: “Live Better” and “Nature Walk Talks”.
Dr. Atkins earned a Ph.D. at the University of California at Los Angeles in Educational Psychology, an M.A. in Special Education from Teacher’s College at Columbia University, and a B.S. from New York University.
She is an active volunteer in her community. Dale and her dog, Samson are a certified dog therapy team who participated in public-school readers’ programs as well visitation programs at day and residential facilities for people who have Alzheimer’s. She sits on several non-profit boards whose foci are literacy, tolerance, women’s health and wellness, and child protection, Dr. Atkins has been recognized locally and nationally for her philanthropic work. She has a private practice in NYC and lives in CT.
Interested persons are invited to accompany her on the virtual nature walks, follow her on Instagram @drdaleatkins, receive her free monthly newsletter, “Sanity Savers and More”, as well as visiting her website at www.drdaleatkins.com.
Dr. Atkins will be presenting Supporting Caregiver Sorrow on Wednesday, November 12th
Julia Yarbough, Family Caregiving Advocate 
A multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Julia Yarbough has more than 25 years experience anchoring and reporting, and producing. Having served as a family caregiver to her aging and now deceased mother, Julia is passionate about raising awareness and educating others to the realities facing family caregivers and advocating for improved services.
She created the Keeping It REAL Caregiving; website and public speaking platform to produce content to educate fellow caregivers. She also publishes the KeepingItREALCaregiving.substack.com newsletter, and serves as an AARP Washington State Volunteer. Julia’s professional positions include Communications Consultant with the national media/research firm Magid Associates. She previously served as Morning Anchor/ Manager for Action News Now in Chico, California. Career positions include evening Anchor with NBC6-WTVJ, in Miami, Anchor with KCBS2 in Los Angeles, Anchor with WSVN, South Florida, WLKY, Louisville, Kentucky and WEAR, Pensacola, Florida.
Julia also served in the governmental sector, as Press Information Officer with the Chico Police Department and as Media Ambassador for the City of Miami Beach. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including twice the prestigious ’N.A.T.A.S.’ Emmy. The American Society on Aging selected Julia to join the 2022 ASA Rise Cohort training program. Julia has served as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving, and as a member of the Equity in Aging and Disability Advisory Committee with the California Department of Aging; Master Plan for Aging. The Gerontological Society of America selected Julia as a 2020 Journalists in Aging Fellow. Other honors include The Sunshine State Award from The Society of Professional Journalists, the 3CMA Savvy Award for governmental programming, and a 2009 Fellowship with The Institutes of Journalism & Natural Resources. Professional milestones include leading production projects for a global corporation visiting site locations in Nairobi, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania, covering the 2006 and 2008 Olympic Games for NBC, and producing a recruitment video for the Miami Beach Police Department.
Julia will be presenting How to Prepare NOW for the Costs and Realities of Family Caregiving on Thursday, November 13th
Mary Lou Green, BA, MA, CDP, BLS
In 2023, Mary Lou Green founded her company, Dementia Bridge, so that no caregiver would feel alone. Mary Lou took care of both of her parents, who had dementia from 2005 to 2021. She credits this experience with giving her the passion to advocate for Alzheimer’s patients and their families.
Mary Lou served as the Family Care Consultant and Community Liaison for the Dementia Help Center from 2017-2023 in Palm Desert, CA. During that time, she became a NAACP Certified Dementia Practitioner and volunteered to lead support groups and community education sessions for the Alzheimer’s Association. In 2019, Mary Lou became certified as an ARPF Brain Longevity Specialist. She won the 2020 La Quinta Volunteer of the Year Award, and the 2023 Angel Light Academy “Above and Beyond Award for Excellence Honoring ‘Angels on Earth’ for Their Service.” Mary Lou currently resides in Palm Desert, California.
Mary Lou will be presenting Building Your Support Network for Your Caregiving Journey on Friday, November 14th
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