Keynote Speakers

Monday, April 17: General Session 1
Moving Mountains: The Power of Movement in Nature to Reach the Peak of Wellbeing

Melissa Sundermann, DO
Dr. Melissa Sundermann is a plant-based physician who is double board certified in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine and has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. She also has training in integrative medicine through the University of Michigan and has completed a professional training program in mind-body medicine through the Center for Mind Body Medicine based in Washington, DC. She strongly believes in fostering a partnership with her patients and guiding them towards a healing pathway through self-care utilizing lifestyle medicine principles.

Monday, April 17: General Session 2
Advances in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Research

Gregory Jicha, MD, PhD
Gregory Jicha is a Professor in the Department of Neurology and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Jicha holds the Robert T. & Nyles Y. McCowan Endowed Chair in Alzheimer’s Research at UK. Dr. Jicha directs the scientific efforts of the Clinical Core of the UK , NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Center. He also operates the Telemedicine Cognitive Clinic at UK, designed to reach out to rural populations across KY for both clinical and research-related activities in the area of AD and related disorders. 

 
Monday, April 17: General Session 3
Nutrition, Health Equity, COVID-19, and CV Mortality

Kim Williams, MD, PhD
Dr. Kim Allan Williams, Sr., is the Endowed Professor of Health Equity and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at University of Louisville (UofL). His career has focused on advocacy for national nutrition education, eradication of national and international health care disparities, improved healthcare access, overall health system reform, sustainable health care financing and increased access to advanced cardiac imaging. Dr. Williams has been a delegate for cardiology to the AMA for over 20 years and has served as a consultant for the FDA and CMS. He has been perennially named in America’s Top Doctors and has received multiple national and international awards.

Tuesday, April 18: General Session 4
Policies for Better Care: Mind, Body, and Soul

Bob Blancato, MPA

Robert “Bob” Blancato is the executive director of the
National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services
Programs. He is also President of Matz, Blancato and Associates, the National Coordinator of the bipartisan
3000-member Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Coordinator of the Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition.   

Tuesday, April 18: General Session 4
Policies for Better Care: Mind, Body, and Soul

Sandy Markwood, MUP
Sandy Markwood is a national advocate for aging issues and a champion for ensuring that people have the best supports to age well at home and in their communities. As the CEO of USAging since 2002, she is committed to ensuring that as a society we value and support people across the lifespan. That commitment has taken many forms, including advocacy with multiple Administrations and on Capitol Hill for the passage of legislation aimed at supporting older adults including access to critical information, in-home services, and caregiver support.