Forrest General Hospital Partners with St. Paul United Methodist Church for Dementia Conference
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (February 10, 2025) Forrest General Hospital is partnering with St. Paul United Methodist Church to host Dementia Conference I: Supporting Communities & Families in Alzheimer’s Care. The conference will take place from 8 a.m. until 1:15 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at Parkway Heights United Methodist Church, 2420 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg.
“The purpose of this conference is to increase awareness of dementia, its causes, and ways to reduce the risk of developing the condition,” said, Joann Wynn, Alter Dementia Liaison. “We want to help educate and support the community and families and help normalize understanding and treatment of dementia and Alzheimers, specifically in minority communities.”
The day’s activities will include a variety of professional speakers on various topics ranging from early detection and diagnosis, supporting caregivers and families, legal and financial planning, and more.
Speakers include:
Dr. Shanae Rhodes, RN, post-doctoral research fellow, Faith Village Research Lab, University of Texas Health, San Antonio
Dr. Ronald L. Schwartz, neurologist, Hattiesburg Clinic
Dr. Mary Hossley, RN, geriatric nurse practitioner, professor of nursing, Southern Miss
Sam Buchanan, attorney, executive director, administration with MS Center for Legal Services
Thania Coyne, Senior Service assistant division director with Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District
Dr. Patricia Thompson, family nurse practitioner, Lumberton Family Health Center
A light breakfast and lunch will be served. During lunch, there will be a question-and-answer session where all speakers will serve on a panel to help answer questions from attendees.
Vendors will also be set up to provide information on a variety of topics and services they offer. Vendors include:
- The Mind Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center
- The Library of Hattiesburg, Petal, Forrest County
- Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative (SEMRHI)
- Mississippi State Department of Health
- Forrest General Hospital
- Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Center
- Mississippi Alzheimer’s Association
- The Abigayle Adult Day Center
Conference sponsors include Forrest General Hospital, Alter Dementia, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative (SEMRHI), and Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District (SMPDD).
St. Paul United Methodist Church was founded in 1882 and is known as “The Church at the Heart of the City with the City at Heart.” “Alzheimer’s dementia programming is a natural topic for St. Paul’s ministry, and we invite members of the Hattiesburg community to join us in promoting awareness of the condition and facilitating access to needed information and available services,” said Wyn.
There is no cost to attend. The event is free, but limited seating is available.
To register, visit https://www.ticketfalcon.com/e/spumcalterdementia1/
ABOUT FORREST HEALTH
Forrest Health is a system of healthcare organizations formed to increase access to quality health care in south Mississippi. Forrest General Hospital is its flagship hospital. In addition to Forrest General, Forrest Health hospitals include: Highland Community Hospital, Picayune; Jefferson Davis Community Hospital & Extended Care Facility, Prentiss; Marion General Hospital, Columbia; Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home, Poplarville; Perry County General Hospital, Richton; and Walthall General Hospital, Tylertown. Forrest Health is also home to The Orthopedic Institute and Institute of Neuroscience, both in Hattiesburg, as well as a variety of healthcare clinics throughout its 19-county coverage area.
