African Americans Leading The Way

In honor of Black History Month, the Alzheimer's Association recognizes African-Americans who have helped lead the fight against Alzheimer's. These Champions have furthered research for prevention and a cure; made strides in care and support; and raised awareness of Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Goldie Byrd, Ph.D.

Dr. Goldie Byrd is the Nathan F. Simms Endowed professor of biology at North Carolina A&T State University, where she served as chair of biology for six years. She is also an adjunct professor of genetics at Duke. Dr. Byrd partners with colleagues at the University of Miami, Vanderbilt and Columbia to understand the genetic epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease in African-Americans. Dr. Byrd has also been published extensively and presented her findings on African-American incentives and barriers to research participation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease 2009 (ICAD) in Vienna, Austria.

African-Americans leading the way

In honor of Black History Month, the Alzheimer's Association recognizes African-Americans who have helped lead the fight against Alzheimer's. These Champions have furthered research for prevention and a cure; made strides in care and support; and raised awareness of Alzheimer's disease.

Warachal Faison, M.D.

Warachal Faison, M.D., is a geriatric psychiatrist currently serving as a medical director in Neuroscience Primary Care at Pfizer Inc. For more than 15 years, she has studied the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the African-American community, including minority recruitment for clinical trials. Dr. Faison, a proponent of community education and active discussion, is participating in the upcoming Alzheimer’s Association Diversity Dialogue during the Alzheimer’s Action Summit in Washington, D.C. March 7-9.

Early-Onset Alzheimer’s disease now covered under Social Security

On February 11, 2010, the Social Security Administration announced it will now include early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in its Compassionate Allowances initiative to help the number of early-onset or younger-onset individuals who are no longer able to maintain gainful employment because of their cognitive impairment.

While applicants would still have to meet other SSDI criteria and/or SSI criteria, under this initiative they are considered eligible by virtue of the disease and fast-tracked for a favorable decision about their eligibility for Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Social Security Income (SSI) benefits. The inclusion of early-onset (or younger-onset) Alzheimer’s disease, streamlines the SSDI/SSI application process allowing individuals to receive faster payment of their Social Security benefits.

Since 2003, The Alzheimer’s Association has advocated on behalf of individuals with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s as they navigate the Social Security disability process. This decision is a major step forward for their families.

Please visit http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_social_security_disability.asp for more information.

African Americans Leading The Way

In honor of Black History Month, the Alzheimer's Association recognizes African-Americans who have helped lead the fight against Alzheimer's. These Champions have furthered research for prevention and a cure; made strides in care and support; and raised awareness of Alzheimer's disease.

Patrick A. Griffith, M.D., F.A.A.N.

Patrick A. Griffith, M.D. is a professor of clinical medicine and the chief of the Division of Neurology at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. For nearly 40 years, Dr. Griffith has worked to understand and improve diagnosis, management and treatment of Alzheimer's within the African-American community. He has studied the benefits of cardiovascular health on cognitive function and the effects of therapies on this population and co-authored a commentary entitled "Perspective on race and ethnicity in Alzheimer's disease."

African Americans Leading The Way

In honor of Black History Month, the Alzheimer's Association recognizes African-Americans who have helped lead the fight against Alzheimer's. These Champions have furthered research for prevention and a cure; made strides in care and support; and raised awareness of Alzheimer's disease.

Solomon Carter Fuller, MD

Solomon Carter Fuller, M.D., was among the first known black psychiatrists and a pioneer among Alzheimer's Champions. The grandson of a slave, Dr. Fuller worked along side Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who discovered the traits of the disease in 1901. Dr. Fuller is responsible for countless contributions to the field as a researcher and educator. The Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center in Boston is named in his honor.