Researcher Spotlight: Lindsay Prizer

What is your professional background? 
I received my Bachelor in Social Work at Georgia State University and my Master of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, focusing on direct practice with older adults. I earned my PhD in Public Health, Health Promotion and Behavior at The University of Georgia with a content emphasis on chronic disease management and end-of-life decision making in older adults. I completed a two-year Fellowship in Advanced Geriatrics at the Atlanta VA Medical Center through the Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC). I am a clinically licensed social worker in Georgia and North Carolina.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics. While I am currently organizing formal research mentorship, I have been fortunate to have been mentored by Dr. Camille Vaughan and Dr. Molly Perkins over the course of my training through the present day.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
I explore ways in which various social and behavioral interventions can improve health outcomes for older adults coping with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias. On the Georgia Memory Net program, we are restructuring the healthcare delivery system to improve early screening and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. As Primary Care Core Lead, I am focused on informing primary care physicians throughout Georgia of our program and on giving them tools to aid in long-term dementia management.  On the Cognitive Empowerment Program, I am focusing on adapting The Savvy Caregiver program for use with individuals with mild cognitive impairment and their care partners.

What do you like most about Emory?
I am most appreciative of the diverse variety of collaborations involved within Emory as well as between Emory and other stakeholders throughout the state. There is so much amazing work being done and so many opportunities for impactful partnerships.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I’d like to say something respectable like “Game of Thrones”, but in reality, it’s probably something embarrassing like “The Bachelor” or “90 Day Fiancé.”

What do you like to do in your spare time?
With two small kids, I only have the barest recollection of what “spare time” is, but in theory, I enjoy reading (medical non-fiction like Brain on Fire or Radium Girls and just about anything Stephen King has ever written).

What is a fun fact about you?
I have a fawn-colored Doberman named Miss Bea Arthur, who is the best dog ever.