A monthly conversation with leading voices in dementia-inclusive community work, dementia care and support, brain health promotion, and more, bringing world-class experts straight to your screen.
- Second Monday of every month
- 1:00–2:30 PM Pacific Time
- Live on Zoom, join from anywhere
- Always free, everyone welcome
Next session: Monday, October 12, 2026, with Dr. Katie Ehlman and Ginger Smith. See all upcoming dates.
Big ideas, brought to your screen
Each month the DEER Program hosts a live, 90-minute conversation on Zoom with a guest whose work is shaping how communities understand, support, and include people living with dementia. Expect a talk, time for your questions, and practical ideas you can carry back to your family, your organization, or your community.
The series grew out of Dementia Friendly Nevada, where it was launched to connect Community Group members with national and international leaders. It now carries the DEER name so that every part of the DEER Program community shares one front door to the conversation. Most sessions are recorded, with slides and handouts posted on this page afterward.
Explore Dementia Friendly Nevada Learn about the DEER Program
Upcoming Sessions
Registration is free and takes a minute.
Register for each session you plan to attend
and the Zoom link arrives by email.
- Next upMonday October 12 2026
Dr. Katie Ehlman & Ginger Smith
Improving Healthcare Experiences for People Living with Dementia
-
Dr. Katie Ehlman
Judith A. Sugar Endowed Associate Professor of Gerontology, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno
Dr. Ehlman’s research focuses on nursing home quality, the healthcare workforce, and student attitudes about aging. Much of her current work applies the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Age-Friendly Health Care 4Ms in primary care and community settings.
-
Ginger Smith
Retired speech language pathologist and author living with cognitive changes
After a dementia-related diagnosis at 78 led to a nursing home and hospice, Ginger had a “turn around,” returned home, and wrote Dementia Denied about navigating the healthcare system. Now 89, she advocates for living a good life with dementia.
1:00–2:30 PM Pacific · Live on Zoom
Register free -
- Monday November 9 2026
- Monday December 14 2026
Can’t join live? Every session is recorded and added to the Recorded Library below, free to watch any time.
Recorded Library
Missed one? Every session is captured and free to watch on demand.
Press Watch recording to play it right here, and download any slides or
handouts the speaker shared.
2026 Season 9 sessions
- Sep2026
Dr. Bill Thomas
The Really Big Show: Game-ifying Wellness with Elders
- Aug2026
Damian Murphy
The “Good Life With Dementia” Program: Shared Learning Amongst Equals
- Jul2026
Bill Benson, Megan Dicken, & Marvina Chavez
The International Association for Indigenous Aging: Resource to Support Dementia-Friendly Communities
- Jun2026
Jessica Luh Kim & Mary Beth Wighton
Dignity, Dementia, & Changing the Story
- May2026
- Apr2026
Panel Discussion
Dementia-Inclusive Literature & Reading Materials, with Laurette Klier, Nikki Jardin, Christine Droney & Nancy Nelson
- Mar2026
- Feb2026
- Jan2026
Michelle Daniel
Innovations around Quality Care to Support Quality of Life in Long-Term Residential Care
2025 Season 4 sessions
- Dec2025
Jazmin Zinnerman
How Hilarity for Charity Is Transforming Education and Support around Brain Health and Dementia
- Nov2025
Claire Day
Initial Findings from the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk
- Oct2025
Dr. Soo Borson
Expanding the Dementia Friendship Circle: A Multi-Sector Priority
- Sep2025
Kat Hartley
The New Conversation on Brain Health: Where Risk Reduction Meets Real Life
2024 Season 1 session
- Dec2024
Never miss a session
-
Register for the next session
Free registration on Zoom. Monday, October 12, 2026, 1:00–2:30 PM Pacific: Improving Healthcare Experiences for People Living with Dementia.
Register free -
Join the DEER Program email list
Speaker announcements, reminders, and recordings land in your inbox each month.
Sign up for emails -
Suggest a speaker
Know a voice we should hear from, or have a question about the series? Tell the DEER team.
Contact the DEER Program
The DEER Program
The Distinguished Speaker Series is presented by the Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research (DEER) Program in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno.