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Brain Health Events in Sarasota

Bring people together, increase understanding of dementia, connect families with resources, and help strengthen local support across Southwest Florida.

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Upcoming Event · October 24, 2026

Walking Soccer for Brain Health

A new walking soccer program to support brain health and wellness in Sarasota. Join a fun, inclusive activity for older adults to stay active, connected, and engaged.

  • Date: October 24, 2026
  • Time: 9:30 a.m.
  • Location: 8000 Hawkins Rd., Sarasota, FL 34241
  • Simple rules: No running, no physical contact, and small-sided teams, with a focus on fun, safe participation.
  • Information and registration: Scan the QR code on the flyer or email info@alzcarealliance.org.
Walking Soccer for Brain Health flyer: October 24 at 9:30 a.m., 8000 Hawkins Road in Sarasota, with a QR code for information and registration.View full-size flyer
Upcoming Event · November 7, 2026

Bridging Brain Health

The First Annual Community and Clinical Care Conference

Education. Connection. A Healthier Tomorrow.

Join Alzheimer’s Care Alliance of Southwest Florida for expert-led sessions, practical tools and resources, and networking opportunities. Featured topics include advances in Alzheimer’s care, a patients and caregivers panel, legal and care planning, and lifestyle changes.

  • Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
  • Venue: Suncoast Community Church Auditorium
  • Location: 8000 Hawkins Rd., Sarasota, FL 34241
  • Morning: 7:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m., for physicians and healthcare professionals
  • Afternoon: 1:30 p.m.–5:15 p.m., open to the general public
  • Registration fees: Free admission with coupon GP2026. Registration required.

View the full tentative conference program and speaker schedule.

Bridging Brain Health conference flyer for November 7, 2026, with morning healthcare professional and afternoon public sessions and a registration QR code.View full-size flyer

Questions? Call 941-277-4343 or email info@alzcarealliance.org.

Conference Registration

Reserve Your Place

Register for Bridging Brain Health on November 7, 2026. Attend free with coupon GP2026.

Attend for FREE

Use coupon code GP2026 at registration for complimentary admission to either session.

Registration required. Enter the code before completing your registration.

Open registration in a new tab

Why Participate

Turn Awareness Into Practical Support

Community events can create a visible, welcoming place for families affected by dementia. They also give neighbors, healthcare professionals, employers, faith communities, and local businesses an opportunity to learn, volunteer, sponsor programs, and support caregivers.

An effective event is more than a fundraiser. It should help people leave knowing where to get help and what they can do next.

Ways to Take Part

There Is More Than One Way to Get Involved

  • Join or help organize a community walk or awareness activity.
  • Volunteer with registration, hospitality, resource tables, setup, outreach, or family support.
  • Form a workplace, neighborhood, faith-community, or family team.
  • Sponsor an event, educational program, caregiver initiative, or community resource.
  • Host a personal fundraising activity built around something your group already enjoys.
For Sponsors

Local Partnerships Can Multiply the Impact

Businesses and organizations may be able to support an event through sponsorship, space, food and refreshments, printing, equipment, volunteers, transportation assistance, or promotion. Partnership opportunities should be matched to the program and clearly documented.

Start a Conversation

Interested in Hosting, Sponsoring, or Volunteering?

Tell us what kind of event or partnership you have in mind. The Alliance can review the idea and determine whether it fits current programs, community needs, and available resources.

When the Alliance participates in an event operated by another organization, the event organizer and any external registration requirements should be clearly identified before visitors are directed off-site.

Conference Program

Tentative program — subject to change.

Morning Session for Healthcare Professionals
7:15–7:45 am

Late registration and coffee

Exhibitor visit

7:45-7:50 am

Welcome

7:50–8:30 am

Exhibitor Sunrise Theater I - Eli Lilly

Victor Faradji, MD, FAAN

Neurology, First Choice Neurology, Miami, FL

The First Signs Matter: Detecting and Treating Early Symptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease

8:30–9:00 am

Lawren Vandevrede, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurology, UCSF, Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center, San Francisco, CA

The Biomarker Revolution: How Biofluid Biomarker are Transforming Early Alzheimer’s Disease Detection

9:00–9:30 am

Lawren Vandevrede, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurology, UCSF, Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center, San Francisco, CA

Navigating Disease-Modifying Therapies: Patient selection, Aria Detection and Safety

9:30–10:00 am

Malisa Agard, MD

Internal Medicine; Director, Conquest Research, Orlando, FL

First Line of Defense: Empowering Primary Care in Early Dementia Detection

10:00–10:15 am

Q & A

10:15–10:30 am

Break and exhibitor visits

10:30–11:00 am

Leonard Sokol, MD

Wein Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders, Miami Beach, FL

Is it Always Alzheimer’s Disease? Co-Pathology in Behavioral Neurology: Is Alzheimer’s the Ship or Just Cargo?

11:00–11:30 am

William Justiz, MD

Collier Neurologic Specialists, Naples, FL

Spotting the Mimics: Key Discriminators in Lewy Body, Frontotemporal and Atypical Dementias

11:30 am–12:00 pm

Phil Coticelli

Executive Director, The Alzheimer’s Policy Working Group, Washington DC

Voices for Vision: How Strategic Dialogue and Policy Reform Elevate Quality of Care

12:00–12:30 pm

Tamiko MacGee-Rodgers, PhD, CCRP

Vice President Trial Execution Services, Global Alzheimer’s Platform, Atlanta GA

Bridging Clinical Research into Everyday Dementia Care

12:30–12:45 pm

Q & A

12:45–1:25 pm

Lunch and exhibitor visits

Afternoon Session for the General Public
1:30 – 1:45 pm

Mauricio Concha MD. MHS

Director, Center for Brain Health and Clinical Research, Intercoastal Medical Group

Transforming Alzheimer’s Care in Sarasota

1:45 – 2:00 pm

Mauricio Concha MD. MHS

Director, Center for Brain Health and Clinical Research, Intercoastal Medical Group

The Invisible Patient

2:00 – 2:15 pm

Mauricio Concha MD. MHS

Director, Center for Brain Health and Clinical Research, Intercoastal Medical Group

Michelle Robles, Esq

Robles Law

Together in Memory Care. Meet the Memory Care Alliance & Alzheimer’s Care Alliance of SW Florida

2:15 – 2:45 pm

Moderator, TBD

Restoring Hope: The Impact of Novel Alzheimer’s Therapies.

Panel with Patients & Caregivers

2:45 – 3:15 pm

John Ferrari, Jr., Esq

Elder Law Attorney, Ferrari Elder Law

Michelle Robles, Esq

Robles Law

Beyond the Diagnosis: Legal Planning to Protect Your Future.

3:15 – 3:30 pm

Q & A

3:30 – 3:45 pm

Break and exhibitor visits

3:45 – 4:45 pm

Charlotte Jones, RN, MS, BSN, CDP,

Senior Care Advisor, Senior Living Selections

Marcy MacPherson, MSW, BSW, CDP

PAC Certified Trainer & Coach, Still Alive Inside

Beyond the Diagnosis: Lifestyle Adjustments and Effective Communication.

4:45 – 5:00 pm

Q & A

5:00 – 5:10 pm

Closing remarks

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