Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS, professor, Geriatrics and Gerontology, director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute and clinical core leader of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center will serve as the next chair of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services.

This national council was formed in 2011 in response to the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) to create a national strategic plan to address the rapidly escalating Alzheimer’s dementia crisis.

The Advisory Council works to carry out NAPA’s charge to coordinate research and services across agencies, accelerate the development of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, improve early diagnosis and coordination of care, reduce ethnic and racial disparities in rates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and coordinate with international efforts to fight these conditions.

It comprises members representing a number of federal agencies who work on dementia, and several members from outside the government, who provide their expertise to help make progress on this disease.

Dr. Carlsson has served as one of the 12 non-federal members for the last 2 years and will serve as chair for the next 2 years.

Banner: file photo of Dr. Carlsson. Credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine.