Experts within the local community will talk on a variety of important issues and answer questions.

Ed O'Dell
Ed O’Dell will serve as the meeting facilitator. Mr. O’Dell is a veteran television reporter who retired from the NBC Miami affiliate. He is a local favorite with years of experience in covering education and other important issues. He has in recent years personally dealt with concerns related to the care of his elderly stepfather.

Michael Alan Silverman, M.D., MPH
Medical Director, Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged
Medical Director, Douglas Gardens Hospice


Jamie Huysman, Psy.D., LCSW
Nationally recognized family therapist and clinical consultant
Executive Director and Co-founder, The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation
Co-author, Take Your Oxygen First: Protecting Your Health and Happiness While Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss

Rose van Zuilen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Division of Gerontology and Geriatrics Medicine
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Investigator, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center
Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Beverly Curmanskie
Financial Advisor


Connie Siskowski, R.N., Ph.D.
Founder and President, Volunteers for the Homebound & Family Caregivers






Kathy Sarmiento
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of the Elderly) Liaison
Florida Alliance for Aging

Christopher D. Vasallo, Esq.
Attorney specializing in elder law

Tony Farinella, MHSA, NHA
Executive Director, St. Anne’s Nursing Center - Miami