Rebecca Galloway

Co-Chair and health provider stakeholder (physical therapist)

Rebecca Galloway, PT, PhD, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) is an Associate Professor of Instruction at University of Texas Medical Branch. Her roles include teaching, clinical practice, research, and co-chair for the UTMB Local Patient and Stakeholder council on STRIDE (Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders) and Dementia (D-CARE) studies.

Alice Williams, MS, LBSW

Co-Chair and community stakeholder (Libbie’s Place)

Alice Williams, MS, LBSW, is the Executive Director for Libbie’s Place Senior Day Program in Galveston, TX. She leads a monthly caregiver support group, provides community education for seniors and family caregivers and is involved with many organizations serving older adults in Galveston County.

Gloria Ellisor

Gloria Ellisor was born on the island (BOI) at UTMB 87 years ago. She is a retired school nurse (worked 37 years) and played piano as an Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit volunteer. She also serves on our STRIDE LPSC.

Shirley Bridges

Shirley Bridges moved to Galveston to become an islander by choice (IBC) 64 years ago and worked as a medical laboratory scientist at UTMB for 35 years. She volunteers weekly at a thrift store and with senior lunches. She also serves on our STRIDE LPSC.

Joseph William (Bill) Love, Jr.

Bill Love’s life experience includes a degree in Business, 28-year career in oil and gas industry, and service as an Air Force Pilot during Korean War. He also serves on our STRIDE LPSC. His caregiver perspective on D-CARE involves two close family members who had dementia.

Mike Conwell

Michael Conwell is a retired designer who worked in the aerospace, semiconductor and petrochemical industries after three years of active duty in the US Army. He continues his education through OLLI and has written two books, one novel and the other, a collection of short stories since his retirement. He served on the STRIDE LPSC as a consumer of health services and looks forward to serving on the D-Care study.

Marge Mathers

Marge Mathers is a former elementary school teacher who enjoys the collaboration between UTMB and our community including service on our STRIDE LPSC. She is a very active participant (5 days/week) in exercise classes at OLLI including group fitness, Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi, and Pilates.

Ed Beasley

Ed Beasley is a former public school teacher and university administrator who retired as the Director and CEO of the University Center of Southern Oklahoma after 32 years. He then served on numerous public boards and is currently on the Board of The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston and our STRIDE LPSC. Attending Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes, gardening, and woodworking are among his interests.

Alicia Woods

Alicia Woods retired from UTMB after 31 years of service. She worked in the departments of Patient Finance, Human Biological Chemistry & Genetics (now Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), and Medicine Services which consists of Internal Medicine, Neurology, and The Sealy Center on Aging. Alicia has experience communicating health information in Spanish and English for family health care needs. She is enjoying the challenging role of caring for her mother.

Michelle Sierpina, PhD

Osher Lifelong Living Institute (OLLI)

Michelle Sierpina, PhD Founding Director of OLLI at UTMB, serves on faculty in UTMB’s School of Nursing. Her lifestory protocol has been studied by three research teams and published in peer-reviewed professional journals. A UT System Distinguished Teaching Professor, she has taught at UT Houston Center on Aging, University of Nevada, Reno, St. George’s Medical University, Grenada, and at conferences around the nation and in Australia. Michelle has published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on topics in gerontology, spirituality, and creativity and co-edited Burn Survivors Journey, Real Stories of Challenges, Strength, and Triumph, written by OLLI lifestory writers.

Mallory Freitag, MPH

Houston-Galveston Area Council

Mallory Freitag, MPH, is the Lead Benefits Counseling Coordinator at the Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging. Her team serves as the local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), and provides free and unbiased advise to Medicare beneficiaries through educational programs and individual consultation. She has previously worked with individuals living with dementia and their care partners in several roles at the Alzheimer’s Association of Houston and Southeast Texas, and as Program Director at Grace Place Alzheimer’s Activity Centers in San Antonio, TX.

Andrea Zaite, MSSA, LMSW, CMC, A-CMSW

Geriatric Care Manager and Consultant

Andrea Zaite, MSSA, LMSW, CMC, A-CMSW is a Geriatric Care Manager, owner and operator of A to Z Geriatric Care. Andrea has taught many workshops on Grief Recovery, “Having the conversation” and “How paring with a geriatric care manager can help you navigate the pitfalls of dementia care”. She is a member and board member of the Aging Life Care Association, Bay Area CAP and Coastal Area Medical Social Workers.

Krista Bohn, MPH

Alzheimer's Association, Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter

Krista Bohn, MPH is Program Director of Health Education and Translational Research Engagement at UTMB. She has prior experience as Outreach Director for the Alzheimer's Association Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter. She led outreach efforts, including care and support services, for the Association in the Chapter's outlying communities, including Galveston County.

Mukaila Raji, MD, MS, FACP

Physician Stakeholder

Mukaila Raji, MD, MS, FACP directs the UTMB Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, teaches students, residents and geriatrics fellows, and serves as attending faculty on Acute Care for the Elders Unit, Geriatric Consults, and Geriatric Clinic Service. He is a Co-PI or Co-I on several federal grants. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles in the areas of cognitive disability, health policy, and geriatric pharmacology. Dr. Raji is a recipient of the Sir William Osler Excellence in Clinical Teaching Awards (2006 & 2018), the America’s Top Doctor in Geriatric Medicine Awards (2017 & 2018), and the Top Texas Physician Awards (Texas Super Doctors - 2013 to 2018). Dr. Raji is instrumental in the medication reviews for STRIDE at UTMB.

Summer Chapman

Nurse Stakeholder

Summer Rae Filidei-Chapman, MSN, RN, CCRP is a Research Nurse IV with UTMB Sealy Center on Aging. She was the Falls Care Manager for the STRIDE (Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders) study and was instrumental in development and progress of our Local Patient and Stakeholder Council.

Elena Volpi, MD, PhD

UTMB Principal Investigator

Elena Volpi, MD, PhD is PI of the UTMB Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) and co-director of the UTMB Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). She is the UTMB PI for STRIDE and D-CARE. Dr. Volpi has published > 130 journal articles.

Rafael Samper Ternent, MD, PhD

D-CARE Research Manager

Rafael Samper Ternent, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor at UTMB in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Sealy Center on Aging and attending faculty in the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic. He is a Co-Investigator in several grants and has published 30 manuscripts. His clinical/ research interests are resilience at older ages, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, multi-morbidity and frailty.

Eloisa S. Martinez, BS, CCRP

Study Coordinator

Eloisa Martinez, BS, CCRP is Senior Clinical Research Coordinator at University of Texas Medical Branch who coordinates multiple clinical studies. She has experience with recruitment and coordination of study participants who communicate in English and/or Spanish.

Roxana Hirst, MS

Study Coordinator

Roxana Hirst, MS is the OAIC Research Operations Manager and Recruitment Manager and the Lead Research Project Manager in the Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB. She was was instrumental in development and progress of our Local Patient and Stakeholder Council.

Melissa Lockhart, PhD, GNP-BC

Dementia Care Specialist

Melissa C. Lockhart, Ph.D, GNP-BC is a Board Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years of clinical experience including several years as a nursing instructor. Her primary role as the Dementia Care Specialist for the D-Care study is co-management of dementia-related issues and coordination of dementia care.

Noga Tobias

Care Consultant (Alzheimer Association)

Noga Tobias, MPH is a care consultant at the Alzheimer's Association. Noga is a trained and licensed mediator and was a research fellow in the past.

Kathy Spetter

Care Consultant (Alzheimer Association)

Kathy Spetter is the Care Consultant / Support Group Specialist for Alzheimer's Association Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter. Kathy is a community consultant for D-CARE.