About the Coalition

The Michigan Dementia Coalition currently consists of approximately 250 individuals from dementia-related fields and backgrounds, representing more than 65 organizations.

Our purpose in working together as members of the Michigan Dementia Coalition is to make use of our combined knowledge, experience, and resources to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their families.

Led by the Alzheimer's Association Michigan, AARP Michigan, and the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, the current Michigan Dementia Coalition came together beginning in late 2016 to identify current needs and opportunities for Michigan to become a more dementia capable state. From late 2016 to the present, approximately 200 people from various dementia-related backgrounds have participated in the full coalition, workgroups, or committees. In May of 2019, we published our 2019-2022 Roadmap for Creating a Dementia Capable Michigan.

The Coalition has established 9 committees for continuing our work in 2021, and we welcome additional members to serve on them. Please visit the Committees Page to learn more about the work each committee is doing to help make Michigan a more dementia capable state.

Steering Committee Members

Alexis Travis, PhD, Aging & Adult Services Agency, MDHHS

Brenda L. Roberts, MA, Michigan Assisted Living Association

Fei Sun, PhD, MSW, Michigan State University School of Social Work

Henry (Hank) Paulson, MD, PhD, Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center

Irving E. Vega, PhD, Michigan State University Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine

Jennifer Lepard, Alzheimer's Association Greater Michigan Chapter

Joan Ilardo, PhD, LMSW, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Katrina Summersett, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan

Keith Morris, JD, Elder Law of Michigan

Leslie Dubin, LMSW, ACSW, University of Michigan Department of Social Work

Lisa Dedden Cooper, JD, AARP Michigan

Melanie Baird, LMSW, Alzheimer's Association


Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, ABPP, Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology

Sally Steiner, LMSW, Aging and Adult Services Agency, MDHHS

Scott E. Counts, PhD, Michigan State University Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine

Scott Roberts, PhD, University of Michigan School of Public Health

Vincent Tilford, MBA, Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation

Michigan Dementia Coalition Co-Chairs:

Lisa Dedden Cooper

AARP Michigan

Jennifer Lepard

Alzheimer's Association Michigan

Scott Roberts

University of Michigan