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Staff at the WAI

Director: Mark Sager, MD

Sanjay Asthana, MD, Associate Director

Kimberly Diggle Mueller, Research Specialist

Dorothy Edwards, PhD, Associate Professor

N. Maritza Dowling, PhD, Assistant Scientist

Gina Green-Harris, Senior Outreach Specialist

Bruce Hermann, PhD, Associate Director

Jana Jones, PhD, Assistant Professor

Maggie Kengott, Associate Research Specialist

Asenath La Rue, PhD, Senior Scientist

Barbara Lawrence, Senior Outreach Specialist

Chris Pire-Knoche, Research Specialist

Heidi Pophal, Senior Information Processing Consultant

Robert Rancourt, Senior Administrative Program Specialist

Janet Rowley, Senior Research Specialist

Susan Schroeder, Associate Research Specialist

Judy Smith, University Services Associate 2

Sarah Sweney, Research Specialist

Nicole Wright, Research Specialist
Older couple
The Urgency of Our Mission

In the U.S. approximately 5-10% of the population aged 65 and older has AD. In Wisconsin, this number is expected to increase by 58% from 103,000 to 163,000 persons over the next 25 years.

19 million Americans say someone in their family has the disease.

50% of persons with AD are undiagnosed and therefore, untreated.

Families delay seeking help for almost three years after the onset of cognitive symptoms.

50% of nursing home residents have AD or a related disorder.

Family and friends provide almost 75% of home care. Costs for at-home care average $12,500 each year with families paying almost the entire cost out-of-pocket.