U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the appointment of Michelle Branham as the new chair of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services and added ten public members to the council, the department said in a statement on Thursday.
The council was created under the 2011 National Alzheimer’s Project Act and convenes on a quarterly basis to provide guidance to the government on reducing the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The advisory body’s remit includes advising federal efforts to update the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease.
Leadership and appointees
Michelle Branham joins the council as chair. Branham serves as the secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and brings more than 25 years of experience in Alzheimer’s public policy and public health to the role.
Among the newly appointed public members are John Couris, who is chief executive officer of the Florida Health Sciences Center; James Hartsell, the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and Steve Waterhouse, chair of the Alzheimer’s Association of Central and North Florida. The HHS statement noted the cohort’s collective experience in aging services, public health, dementia advocacy and patient representation.
Mandate and expected contribution
HHS said the newly named chair and members will support federal efforts to revise and update the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. The advisory council meets each quarter to consider priorities and advise on actions to lessen the impact of Alzheimer’s and related dementias on patients, families and services.
Context for stakeholders
The appointments reflect HHS’s selection of individuals from public health, veteran services, health system leadership and advocacy organizations to contribute perspectives relevant to aging and dementia care. The council’s quarterly schedule establishes a recurring forum for these members to present input to federal policymakers and agencies responsible for implementing elements of the National Plan.
Note: The article reports only the appointments and the stated roles and responsibilities as described by HHS. It does not assess policy decisions or outcomes that may follow from the council’s work.