Fading Memories: The Loss of Self and Personal Identity
APR 3/2016 following 2pm performance of Blackberry Winter

MODERATOR

Kyna Hamill, PhD, Boston University

PANELISTS

Dr. Andrew E. Budson
Gail Leichtman, MEd, LSW

Kyna Hamill received her PhD in Theatre History from Tufts University. She is currently the Assistant Director of the CAS Core Curriculum and also teaches dramatic literature in BU’s School of Theatre. She specializes in the iconography of the Commedia dell’arte, theatre and war, and theatre semiotics. She has published articles in Print Quarterly, Theatre Symposium and The Performance of Violence in Contemporary Ireland. She also edited They Fight: Classical to Contemporary Stage Fight Scenes, a collection of stage combat scenes, with special attention paid to diverse weaponry and scenes for women. Her current research project examines the legacy of the Baroque print artist, Jacques Callot on art, literature and theatre.

Dr. Andrew E. Budson received his B.A. in Chemistry and Philosophy from Haverford College (1988) and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School (1993). He served as an intern in Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (1993-94).  He was resident and Chief Resident in Neurology at the Harvard-Longwood Program (1994-97). He was a clinical Fellow in Behavioral Neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (1997-99) and a research Fellow in Psychology at Harvard University (1997-2000).  He began as the Clinical Director of the Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC) at the Bedford VA Hospital in 2004 and later served as overall Bedford GRECC Director (2008-2010).  After serving a year as Bedford’s Acting Chief of Staff (2009-2010) he moved to the VA Boston Healthcare System as Deputy Chief of Staff in 2010.  In 2012 he became the Associate Chief of Staff for Education. He is Professor of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, Associate Director for Research at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Lecturer in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Consultant Neurologist at the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.  Dr. Budson has had continual NIH research funding since 1998, receiving a National Research Service Award and a Career Development Award in addition to a Research Project (R01) grant.  He continues to see patients while teaching fellows, residents, and medical students in his memory disorders clinic at VA Boston.  He is board certified in Neurology.

Gail Leichtman, MEd, LSW has worked with elders in the Boston area since 1982, and as a Professional Geriatric Care Manager since 1999.  Her experience includes seven years’ working with the Massachusetts Home Care Program, five years’ evaluating elders at risk for Family Services of Greater Boston, and as case manager for several local VNAs. Gail’s strong advocacy and energetic demeanor make her particularly well-suited for managing very complex cases. She enjoys helping elders who are in difficult situations and who have many needs. She sits on the Ethics Committee for Minuteman Senior Services, and is active in many of the local geriatric provider groups. She is a nationally Certified Care Manager (CCM) and is a member of both the national and New England chapters of NAPGCM.