Dr. Tatiana Sadak (she/her), PhD, PMHNP, ARNP, RN, FAAN
DPEN Board of Directors, Executive Director
Yale University School of Nursing, Professor and Deputy Dean
University of Washington School of Nursing, Affiliate Professor
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: Vision, networking, advancement, research and dissemination, and education
“I’m passionate about dementia care because these diseases deeply touch the lives of many people and it is possible to have a good quality of life while living with dementia if people receive appropriate care and support.”
Email: tatiana.sadak@yale.edu
Dr. Soo Borson (she/her), MD
DPEN Board of Directors, Co-Director
UW School of Medicine, Professor Emerita
USC Keck School of Medicine, Professor of Clinical Family Medicine
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: Research and dissemination, education, networking, and visibility
Email: soob@uw.edu
Barbara Cochrane (she/her), PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA
DPEN Primary Investigator
University of Washington School of Nursing
Professor Emeritus: Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing
Northwest Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Center, Co-Director
Email: barbc@uw.edu
Emily Ishado (she/her), MSW, LICSW
DPEN Board of Directors, Director of Operations
University of Washington School of Nursing, Research Coordinator
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: New and existing strategic initiatives, networking, and implementation
“I’m passionate about dementia care because I have always felt a special bond to people living with dementia and know we can do better in providing them with equitable and optimal care.”
Email: eishado@uw.edu
Christina A. Coulter (she/her), PhD, AGPCNP-BC, ARNP
DPEN Board of Directors, Director of Curriculum
University of Washington School of Nursing
Swedish Medical Group, Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: Curriculum and content development
“I’m passionate about dementia care because the advancement of quality evidence-based care not only improves the lives of older adults with dementia and their families, but it also has the power to reduce burn-out and improve clinical role satisfaction.”
E-mail: cac76@uw.edu
Gina Werdel (she/her), MPA
DPEN Team, Program Operations Specialist of Long-Term Care Externship and Residency
University of Washington School of Nursing, Program Operations Specialist
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: Project management, business development
I’m passionate about dementia care because dementia is a condition that deeply impacts people and their loved ones. There is a growing need in Washington for a workforce that can provide quality care for people living with dementia, and I’m glad to be a part of a team that’s addressing this need in a strategic and compassionate way.”
Email: gw1197@uw.edu
Sarah McKiddy (she/her), BSN, RN
DPEN Board of Directors, Secretary
University of Washington School of Nursing, Doctoral Student
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: Global initiatives, marketing, and research and dissemination
“I’m passionate about dementia care because every individual living with dementia has a unique story, set of experiences, and emotions that deserve to be recognized and respected. It is through compassionate and skilled dementia care that we can humanize the experience of dementia, which is essential to fostering empathy and understanding throughout society.”
Laurel Barchet (she/her), BS, ADN
DPEN Team, Curriculum Designer
University of Washington School of Nursing
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: E-Learning Instructional Design and nursing
I’m passionate about dementia care because dementia has affected many of my friends and family members and continues to affect more people every day. People living with dementia, their care partners and families deserve high-quality, specialized care. My goal is to support healthcare educators and help healthcare students and professionals to be the best care providers that they can be.”
E-mail: lah19@uw.edu
Chandler J. Lewis (he/him), M.Sc.
DPEN Board of Directors, Advisor for Innovation and Dissemination
University of Washington School of Nursing, Consultant, Advisor, and Curriculum Development
The Cross Cultural Health Care Program, Director of Equity & Inclusion
WA Nursing Commission, Chair of DEI Workgroup
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: Sustainability and business development; and diversity, equity, and inclusion
“I’m passionate about dementia care because every elder deserves compassionate healthcare.”
Email: clewis10@uw.edu
Melinda Schultz (she/her), MA
DPEN Board of Directors, Affiliate Consultant
Yale University School of Nursing, Program Manager for DPEN
University of Washington School of Nursing, Program Specialist for DPEN
Primary areas of expertise on DPEN team: Quality improvement, research and dissemination, project management, marketing
“I’m passionate about dementia care because if it were my loved ones, I would want the best care for them.”
Email: schulm5@uw.edu