Exploring Dementia
Living and Loving through the Journey

Presentations and Guest Speakers

Meet our confirmed speakers—more coming soon.

Robin Reid

Program Manager, GA Chapter at Alzheimer's Association

With extensive experience in Atlanta’s nonprofit sector, Robin has spent many years advancing missions through roles in marketing, fundraising, special events, and volunteer management. A mission-driven professional at heart, she finds joy in connecting people to purpose and helping communities thrive.

Before transitioning to the nonprofit world, Robin worked for Atlanta’s NBC affiliate, WXIA-TV (11Alive), as a writer and producer—earning a Southeast Emmy Award for her outstanding storytelling.

Robin is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Robin Reid serves as a key leader in implementing the chapter’s volunteer-powered program delivery strategy—building partnerships that inspire community mobilization and supporting vital health systems initiatives. Based in Atlanta, she covers a 31-county territory that includes portions of metro Atlanta and Northwest Georgia, where she frequently travels to engage local organizations and strengthen community impact.

Area Agency on Aging

Designated by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Area Agency on Aging coordinates programs and services designed to assist older Georgians in their desire to live in the community instead of a long-term facility. ​

Dr. Jeffrey Esslinger, MD HMDCB

A board-certified internist with 25+ years of experience. He’s known for an integrative, prevention-focused approach that emphasizes wellness, lifestyle, and thoughtful non-medication strategies when

Medical Director for Amedisys Hospice in Cartersville

appropriate. HMDCB-certified (Hospice Medical Director Certification Board), Dr. Esslinger brings deep expertise in the clinical, ethical, and regulatory dimensions of hospice, delivering precise, compassionate, and individualized care.

By combining thoughtfulness, precision, and innovation, he delivers exceptional outcomes tailored to each patient.

Sharon McCoy

Throughout her professional career, Sharon has never relinquished her desire to learn. In May 2011, she completed her Professional Certificate in Gerontology from Kennesaw State University. This degree has enhanced Sharon’s understanding of the issues that older people face and augments her ability to effectively provide elder care and elder law services.

Sharon’s exceptional educational achievements are complimented by the myriads of professional organizations to which she belongs, including:

• Georgia State Bar Association

• Bartow County Bar Association

• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

• ElderCounsel

Attorney | Estate Planning and Elder Law

Shelia Welch

Sheila Welch, along with her husband Kim, founded Loving Through Dementia, a free dementia outreach ministry offering help, hope, dementia education, and inspiration for all families facing dementia. Its website, lovingthroughdementia.org. provides vast resources for families. In addition, the website’s Action Plan provides a list of ways in which the Church, all communities of faith, can better love those who live with dementia and those who love them through it.

Coordinator and developer of “Loving Through Dementia”

Sheila is a passionate Dementia Family Advocate, Educator, and former Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care Trainer. She was chosen as a Speaker at Teepa Snow’s Inaugural Positive Approach to Care Conference, 2019.

Alzheimer’s and related dementias have claimed eight family members. In 2024, Lewy Body dementia took her beloved Kim. Their own family’s journey, along with the journeys of the families she and Kim have served for 15 years, inspires her work today. Their free and downloadable dementia family guide and helpful manuals can be found on the website’s Home Page. Also found there is Meet Me Where I Am, an anthem inspired by all who live with dementia, lyrics by Sheila.

Please visit the website for valuable information and resources.

John Clark

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that assists law enforcement in missing-person cases—including people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and missing children—as well as major disaster searches and evidence recovery. Working across Georgia and beyond, GESAR provides its services at no cost; Georgia families may contact the team directly and GESAR will coordinate with the appropriate authorities. All members bring extensive field experience, hold NASAR and NCJTC certifications, and complete annual background checks, while the leadership team averages 8–30 years in search-and-rescue.

Vice President of Georgia Emergency Search and Rescue

Rewa Pressley

Rewa, serves as the Emergency Preparedness Director for the Northwest District of the Department of Public Health. With more than seven years of experience in emergency preparedness and eight years in public health, Rewa leads a team dedicated to readiness and response across programs, including Public Health Emergency Preparedness, the Cities Readiness Initiative, the Healthcare Preparedness Program, and Overdose Data to Action. Holding a B.A. in Mass Communications, Rewa is driven by a commitment to serving the most vulnerable populations in times of crisis.

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the NW District of the Department of Health

Kenneth "Ken" Childre

A local, Ken, was born and raised in Rome, GA. He joined the Air Force in 1986 and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant after 29 years of service. He served at 9 different duty locations with 5 of them being overseas (Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom). He had 4 deployments to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates. He began working with GDVS in June 2016, 6 months after retiring from the Air Force. He served as a Veteran Service Officer at the Rome office before being promoted to the North Area Director in Jan 2022. He oversees 31 Veteran Field Offices in the Northern half of Georgia.

Veterans Service Officer at Georgia Department of Veterans Services

Travis Rutland

Travis Rutland serves as the Lead Pastor at The Church at Liberty Square in Cartersville, Georgia and has served in this capacity since January 2023.

In addition to pastoring The Church at Liberty Square, Travis serves as the President of Global Servants. Global Servants is an international non-profit missions and ministry organization.

Lead Pastor at the Church at Liberty Square

Global Servants currently has work in 6 countries on two continents.

A native of Georgia, Travis holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Southeastern University. Travis and his wife, Courtney, have been married since 1997 and have three sons, Mark, Owen, and Liam and one daughter-in-law, Katie.

Daniel Bosarge

Daniel Bosarge is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, dedicated to helping executives and business owners design proactive, personalized strategies for retirement planning, Social Security optimization, and long-term care protection. Based in his hometown of Rome, Georgia, Daniel is passionate about bringing clarity and confidence to complex financial decisions and aligning each client’s financial legacy with their deepest values.

Financial Advisor | Edward Jones

For Daniel, financial advising is more than a career; it’s a calling. Over the past decade, he has built lifelong relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and meaningful impact. His goal is to continue serving his clients and their families for decades to come, guiding them through every stage of life with wisdom and care.

Daniel invests the time to understand his clients’ goals truly, then crafts custom-tailored strategies to help them create, maintain, and transfer wealth effectively. Licensed in more than 20 states, he combines personal connection with modern technology to stay closely engaged with clients nationwide. His business began the old-fashioned way, walking door-to-door in local neighborhoods, and has grown through lasting relationships built on genuine care.

A Rome native, Daniel holds an MBA from Shorter University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University. Outside the office, you’ll often find him with his wife, Jenna, and their three daughters, enjoying local restaurants, community events, or a day on the golf course. Deeply rooted in his community, Daniel continues to volunteer with area nonprofits, reflecting his belief that true success is measured by the impact he has on others’ lives.

Daniel Brown

Daniel Brown serves as a Clinical Liaison at Tapestry Hospice, where he blends his clinical expertise with compassionate communication to ensure patients and families receive the highest standard of care during life’s most delicate seasons. Since joining Tapestry Hospice in October 2023, Daniel has been instrumental in connecting healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers across Georgia, offering guidance, comfort, and clarity throughout the hospice care process.

Clinical Liaison | Tapestry Hospice

With a strong foundation in hospice and palliative nursing, Daniel brings more than a decade of experience in patient care and relationship development. His expertise spans sales processes, clinical collaboration, and family support, enabling him to build bridges between medical teams and the communities they serve.

Daniel holds an Associate of Arts in Registered Nursing from Georgia Highlands College and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the University of Florida. His background in both nursing and health sciences fuels his holistic approach to care—one that prioritizes dignity, compassion, and connection.