TUCSON, Ariz. (Oct. 31, 2019) – Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, an international leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, is proud to announce its inaugural director to oversee the new, multidisciplinary memory and research center in Tucson. Allan A. Anderson, MD, MMM, CMD, DLFAPA, is an experienced leader, researcher and provider eager to join the growing team, which will provide outpatient care, clinical research, education and support and community outreach.

As an expert in dementia care, Dr. Anderson has a track record of developing and incorporating innovative dementia care practice models in outpatient memory clinics, as well as specialized assisted living dementia programs. He is a strong proponent of a team approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care which includes training interdisciplinary teams to deliver care and understanding while addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s and dementia patient and family members.

“My approach is based on empowerment. People can reach their greatest potential if they are empowered. I value the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute approach to care, which includes the patient, their family and the greater community,” said Dr. Anderson.

As director, Dr. Anderson will create and implement education and training programs to expand the number of Alzheimer’s and dementia trained health care workers who can deliver more cost-effective care.

“The challenge is that we are never going to have enough specialists to care for the patients diagnosed with this illness, so we must focus on providing training to educate primary care providers and other clinicians to provide scientifically proven, quality treatments for our patients,” said Dr. Anderson.

Dr. Anderson also will lead the development and implementation of cutting-edge research projects at BAI in Tucson to make major contributions to the scientific study, treatment and prevention of memory and other cognitive disorders.

“It has been a tough year in research and while I’d like to see that our overreaching goal is to possibly reverse Alzheimer’s, our goal may be more focused on staving off the disease at its earliest stage and working to develop and refine the best care models for its treatment,” said Dr. Anderson.   

The Tucson-based BAI supports the mission to end Alzheimer's without losing another generation, set a new national standard of patient and family care and forge new models of collaboration in biomedical research. The memory center is named for the Toole family of Tucson, who donated $5 million to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation to bring the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute to Southern Arizona.

Opening in spring 2020, the 10,000-square-foot memory center located at 2626 E. River Road will offer comprehensive services for patients and families and conduct research studies into the treatment and prevention of memory disorders, under Dr. Anderson’s leadership.

In the U.S., 5.8 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease. One in nine Americans over age 65—and nearly one in three Americans over age 85—is currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Nationwide, 20 percent of all people are 60 years of age or older. In Pima County, just under 25 percent of the population is 60 years or older.

BAI’s mission and programs serve as a much-needed resource in Alzheimer’s care and Dr. Anderson’s leadership will serve as a much-needed resource for the Tucson community. In his new role, Dr. Anderson will lead the overall operation and management of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Tucson, including all clinical, research, education, training and community programs.

Dr. Anderson says Alzheimer’s and dementia care is personal to him. His medical mentors have instilled a passion to treat and find a cure for the illness and his background in psychiatry has strengthened the relationships he has made with the family members of those he is treating. 

Dr. Anderson earned a Master of Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University and conducted his residency training in psychiatry and received his Doctor of Medicine at the New Jersey Medical School. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, where he was president from 2011-2012. In 2014 he received the AAGP Clinician of the Year Award. He also is a member of the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART), American Medical Directors Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and the American Association of Physician Leaders.

“Being recognized by a family member who stops to thank me for the care their family member received or is receiving is more important than any recognition or award I could ever receive,” said Dr. Anderson.

Dr. Anderson moved to Tucson with his wife and their two dogs from Cambridge, MD, and is looking forward to cycling, hiking and overall enjoying the weather in Southern Arizona.

Through its research and care, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute is dedicated to the goal of ending Alzheimer’s disease without losing another generation. Founded in 2006 by Banner Health, one of the country’s largest nonprofit health care systems, BAI has a three-fold focus: to conduct revolutionary studies in the detection, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s; to set a national standard of patient and family care; and to forge scientific collaborations that bring together institutions and disciplines internationally. For more information visit www.banneralz.org; or to support programs and services go to  https://www.bannerhealthfoundation.org/