Micheline Sommers, LMSW, Director of Specialty Services at Oakland Family Services, supervising Older Adult
Programs. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has a Specialist in Aging from the Institute of
Gerontology. She has been in the geriatric field for over 20 years and presents on topics of interest for older
adults and their caregivers at the national, state and local level. She is the Region V Delegate to the National
Council on Agings’ Health Promotion Institute, Past Chair and current Program Chair for the Geriatric Social
Workers of Southeast Michigan, Co-Chair of the Waterford Aging Network, Vice President of the Oakland County
Citizen’s Alliance for Probate Court and Circuit Court-Family Division, a member of the Oakland County Elder
Abuse Task Force, and Volunteer Coordinator for the Michigan Senior Olympics Local Organizing Committee.
Programs. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has a Specialist in Aging from the Institute of
Gerontology. She has been in the geriatric field for over 20 years and presents on topics of interest for older
adults and their caregivers at the national, state and local level. She is the Region V Delegate to the National
Council on Agings’ Health Promotion Institute, Past Chair and current Program Chair for the Geriatric Social
Workers of Southeast Michigan, Co-Chair of the Waterford Aging Network, Vice President of the Oakland County
Citizen’s Alliance for Probate Court and Circuit Court-Family Division, a member of the Oakland County Elder
Abuse Task Force, and Volunteer Coordinator for the Michigan Senior Olympics Local Organizing Committee.
Rachel Sumner, The American Heart Association's Speakers Bureau.
Ms. Sumner has a Masters Degree in Public Health and is a Registered Nurse. She is a
Cardiology Dietician Specialist at William Beaumont Hospital's Women's Heart Center.
She will be speaking on the topic of "Perceptions on Heart Disease in Men Vs. Women;
Differences in Nutrition Needs and Prevention."
Ms. Sumner has a Masters Degree in Public Health and is a Registered Nurse. She is a
Cardiology Dietician Specialist at William Beaumont Hospital's Women's Heart Center.
She will be speaking on the topic of "Perceptions on Heart Disease in Men Vs. Women;
Differences in Nutrition Needs and Prevention."
Chronic Illness Coalition Speakers Page 2010
In 1977, Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone received her commission in the United States Air Force as
a medical officer. She served on active duty in various nursing staff positions until 1981, when she
transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard. In 2001, General Fausone was selected as the Assistant
for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs working directly with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Health Affairs, Force Health Protection and Readiness. Currently, General Fausone serves as the
Assistant Adjutant General of Veterans Affairs for the State of Michigan, Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs.
a medical officer. She served on active duty in various nursing staff positions until 1981, when she
transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard. In 2001, General Fausone was selected as the Assistant
for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs working directly with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Health Affairs, Force Health Protection and Readiness. Currently, General Fausone serves as the
Assistant Adjutant General of Veterans Affairs for the State of Michigan, Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs.
PAST SPEAKERS 2009
MARCH 4, 2009, GERIATRIC DEPRESSION
MAY 6, 2009
After viewing the handouts links,
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to the CIC website
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to the CIC website
July 8, 2009
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
September 2009 Barbara Spreitzer-Berent, Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter
As Vice President for Health Promotion and Advocacy at the Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter, Barbara oversees
the delivery of hundreds of education, self-help and exercise programs annually, representing the chapter to consumers
and professionals. In addition, she is responsible for the chapter’s research and advocacy initiatives. Barbara is actively
involved in development and implementation of the Michigan Arthritis Action Plan and the Michigan Osteoporosis
Strategic Plan, serving on statewide leadership councils and work groups driving these efforts. She has earned
advanced degrees in urban planning and gerontology from University of Michigan and Madonna University, and has
enjoyed a diverse career in real estate development, aging services, education and training, writing and public health.
TOPIC: Managing Arthritis: Knowledge is the Key
As Vice President for Health Promotion and Advocacy at the Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter, Barbara oversees
the delivery of hundreds of education, self-help and exercise programs annually, representing the chapter to consumers
and professionals. In addition, she is responsible for the chapter’s research and advocacy initiatives. Barbara is actively
involved in development and implementation of the Michigan Arthritis Action Plan and the Michigan Osteoporosis
Strategic Plan, serving on statewide leadership councils and work groups driving these efforts. She has earned
advanced degrees in urban planning and gerontology from University of Michigan and Madonna University, and has
enjoyed a diverse career in real estate development, aging services, education and training, writing and public health.
TOPIC: Managing Arthritis: Knowledge is the Key
November 2009 Virginia T. Ladd, R.T.
Virginia Ladd is President and Executive Director of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
(AARDA). Mrs. Ladd was instrumental in the formation of the International Alliance of Patients' Organizations (IAPO),
a global group dedicated to advocacy for patient centered health care, and is a member of its board of governors.
She is a member of the board of directors for the UN NGO Health Committee and a past member of the board of
directors of the National Health Council. She is founder and facilitator for the National Coalition of Autoimmune
Patient Groups (NCAPG).
Mrs. Ladd serves on several committees of the National Institutes of Health, including the Autoimmune Diseases
Coordinating Committee; the Public Interest Committee for the National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood; the Public
Interest Group for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; and the Panel of Experts for the NIH
Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan.
In honor of her many years of volunteer service, Mrs. Ladd was a 1995 Jefferson Award Honoree of the American
Institute for Public Service with recognition at the national level.
Virginia Ladd is President and Executive Director of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
(AARDA). Mrs. Ladd was instrumental in the formation of the International Alliance of Patients' Organizations (IAPO),
a global group dedicated to advocacy for patient centered health care, and is a member of its board of governors.
She is a member of the board of directors for the UN NGO Health Committee and a past member of the board of
directors of the National Health Council. She is founder and facilitator for the National Coalition of Autoimmune
Patient Groups (NCAPG).
Mrs. Ladd serves on several committees of the National Institutes of Health, including the Autoimmune Diseases
Coordinating Committee; the Public Interest Committee for the National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood; the Public
Interest Group for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; and the Panel of Experts for the NIH
Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan.
In honor of her many years of volunteer service, Mrs. Ladd was a 1995 Jefferson Award Honoree of the American
Institute for Public Service with recognition at the national level.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Meeting held at The American Cancer Society
20450 Civic Center Drive
Southfield, MI 48076
Phone: (248) 663-3400
Meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Meeting held at The American Cancer Society
20450 Civic Center Drive
Southfield, MI 48076
Phone: (248) 663-3400
Lisa Gardner from the Alzheimer's Association will be
speaking on the association's Wraparound Program,
Comfort Zone and Day Care Programs.
Lisa has worked in dementia care for approximately 13
years in a variety of positions including activities,
education, and limited care consulting.
speaking on the association's Wraparound Program,
Comfort Zone and Day Care Programs.
Lisa has worked in dementia care for approximately 13
years in a variety of positions including activities,
education, and limited care consulting.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Mitzi Cardona, The American Cancer Society, Community Program Manager
Mitzi Cardona, The American Cancer Society, Community Program Manager
July 14, 2010
Tameka Citchen, Women-Empowered
September 8, 2010
Ronnie Berman, Peter Ostrow, JVS
Early Memory Loss
Creativity and Dementia
November 3, 2010
TBD
Tameka Citchen, Women-Empowered
September 8, 2010
Ronnie Berman, Peter Ostrow, JVS
Early Memory Loss
Creativity and Dementia
November 3, 2010
TBD
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Aging and Adult Development
from Grand Valley State University and her Master’s Certification in Dementia Care from Eastern
Michigan in 2007.
Her grandmother lived with dementia for the last 10 years of her life so she has a unique
personal and professional commitment.
Currently, Lisa is the Family Services Program Coordinator at the Alzheimer's Association -
Greater Michigan Chapter. Her primary responsibilities include supervising the Harry L. Nelson
Helpline, supervising the Early Stage Support Program, and working as a liaison for the Medic
Alert + Safe Return Program.
from Grand Valley State University and her Master’s Certification in Dementia Care from Eastern
Michigan in 2007.
Her grandmother lived with dementia for the last 10 years of her life so she has a unique
personal and professional commitment.
Currently, Lisa is the Family Services Program Coordinator at the Alzheimer's Association -
Greater Michigan Chapter. Her primary responsibilities include supervising the Harry L. Nelson
Helpline, supervising the Early Stage Support Program, and working as a liaison for the Medic
Alert + Safe Return Program.