2026 Gerontology Conference

Is 71 the New 50?
John McGivern

• They say that you’re only as old as you feel. That may be true mentally (that makes John McGivern about 15!) but if you look at two 71 year-olds, one may look 85 and the other may look 50! Laugh along as John recounts fond memories of people and experiences he now sees differently since he is “the new 50!”

Reframing Aging in Healthcare: Prevention Strategies, Caregiver Support, and Community Based Solutions
Michelle Erdmann, BS, Caregiver, Dementia & Prevention Manager, Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Brown County

• Ageism, rooted in stereotypes and misinformation, shapes policies, funding, healthcare, and attitudes toward aging, often undermining older adults’ well-being. Challenging these biases and prioritizing prevention, equity, and access to health and financial resources supports independence, quality of life, and healthier aging.

Improving Geriatric Care in the ED: From Care Process to Accreditation
Suzie Ryer, PT, DPT, GCS, Senior Services and Integrative Medicine

• This presentation highlights how Advocate Health emergency departments refined workflows, staff training, and environmental adaptations to better meet the complex needs of older adults. 

Enhancing Safety and Quality of Life Through Medication Management in Older Adults
Anthony Michalski, Pharm D., BCPS, Streu’s Pharmacy

• To help nurses and other health care professionals see medication management through a pharmacist’s eyes.  This will include case studies, how pharmacists evaluate a medication regimen and areas pharmacists can help in the collaborative care process. 

Mindful Aging and Mental Health
Melissa Hamachek, MSN/Ed, RN, CCHP, Bellin College

• Healthcare professionals may overlook a patient/client’s mental wellness due to lack of time, knowledge, or other barriers. This presentation will guide you through mindful, mentally healthy aging and how to promote in older adults.

Optimizing Health Care for the Older Adult with the Geriatric 5M’s
Jon Weiss, PT, DPT, EdD, Bellin College

• The Geriatric 5M’s can help advance advocacy, communication, and professional development. The 5M’s may help forge a collective identity for those health care practitioners who specialize in the care of older adults.

The Role of Nutrition in Full Circle Care of Aging
 Lindsay Fencl, RD, CD, HSHS

• This presentation highlights the essential role of nutrition in supporting longevity by focusing on practical strategies  – helping older adults maintain strength, function, independence, and overall well‑being with age. By bringing these principles into multidisciplinary practice, caregivers can work collectively to promote healthier, more-resilient aging.

Working with your local ADRC
Mary Ellen Murphy, ADRC Specialist Supervisor/LTCFS Screen Liaison, ADRC of Brown County

• How breaking down silos can help with coordination of care and better collaboration within our communities. Learn what the ADRC can and can’t assist with during the transition and continuation of care for our aging population and their caregivers.

The Deep Support of a Spiritual Life Doula
Marggie Moertl, BSN/RN, Reiki Master, Certified End of Life and Elder Care Doula, Spiritual Soul Midwifery Certified, Embrace Your Inner Self LLC

• The role of an End of Life Doula will be explained as well what training is required. Marggie will then focus on the spiritual components of Death and Dying.

Support That Starts Sooner, Not Later: Because Comfort, Clarity, and Choice Should Begin at Diagnosis
Cynthia Bieda, DNP, FNP-C, APRN, ACHPN, Bellin College / Unity Hospice

• Serious illness changes everything, but support shouldn’t wait until the end. Hospice and palliative care are often misunderstood as “giving up,” when they are powerful resources designed to improve quality of life at any stage of serious illness.

Uniting Voices for Holistic Geriatric Care: Lessons from a Decade of Care Management.
David Ferguson, MD, NSCA-CPT, DJFerguson & Associates, LLC

• David will share reflections from a decade of steering care for older adults, pulling together voices from medical professionals, care partners, and kin to build that holistic path. What worked, what tripped us up, and why blending every hand on deck makes the difference – one quiet circle at a time.

Coming soon!