Alzheimer's Disease "Lexington Goes Purple" and some of Latest Research
Mar 07, 2022 12:15 PM
Faith Parker and Liz McCarthy
Alzheimer's Disease "Lexington Goes Purple" and some of Latest Research

Liz McCarthy is the Health Systems Director for the Alzheimer’s Association New England region; her work is focused on engaging health systems to drive detection, diagnosis, and management of Alzheimer’s disease and all dementia. In addition, she serves as one of two Research Champions in the region. 

 

LIz has spent her entire career engaged in healthcare with roles in sales, marketing, training, reimbursement, and in direct patient care.  Her interest in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia began in college, when she explored the topic in a neurophysiology course while working overnight as a paid caregiver for a friend’s grandfather with dementia. Later, when her mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTD), Liz and her family learned firsthand the journey of a dementia diagnosis.

 

Liz has a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University and holds credentials in respiratory therapy and sleep medicine.  She lives near Boston with her husband, Kevin, and two teenage sons.

 

Faith will speak about Lexington Goes Purple, an awareness fund raising event for Alzheimer’s.

Bio: Faith Parker holds a BA from Wellesley College and a Master’s degree in Human Services Management from the Heller School at Brandeis University. She worked for 14 years in the human resources field managing corporate pension and executive benefit plans at Boston companies including Avery Dennison and BankBoston. In 2000 she retired from corporate life and co-founded the Parker Family Foundation, a private family foundation whose funding priorities include education, the arts, and health care/Alzheimer’s. Faith has served on the Board of the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for eight years and was Board President for two years. Faith’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2002 and passed away in 2008. Faith also serves on the Fiduciary Board of the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, the Governing Board of EdVestors, and the Wellesley College Alumnae of Boston’s “Authors On Stage” program committee. Faith resides in Lexington with her husband, Glenn.

In 2017 Faith co-founded “Lexington Goes Purple”, an awareness and fundraising event held every June under the umbrella of the Alzheimer’s Association’s “The Longest Day” Program. Now in its fifth year, Lexington Goes Purple 2021’s activities will include a talk on caring for dementia patients at home, a virtual purple-themed cooking class, Social Bridge tournaments, a Coloring & Memory Book project, and The Purple Puppy Promenade!