Our Story

Latisha Alexander has 17 years experience in long term care and skilled nursing facilities. She has worked in several facets of the healthcare industry and is certified as an Activity Director, Nurse Assistant ,Medication Aide and recently obtained Certified Dementia Practicioner. Her mission/goal with Dementia Friendly BCS is to optimize her experience and passion by interacting with families, industry partners and seniors in the community. When not working or attending classes to complete her Bachelors Degree in Health Administration, Tish enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, baking and event planning.

Amber Neel, LMSW is the Activities & Marketing Supervisor with the Hilltop Lakes Property Owners Association. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas State University and her Master of Social Work from The University of Southern California, with a concentration in Adult Mental Health & Wellness and a specialization in Military and Veteran Social Work. Her experience includes private practice in mental health care, working with service members and their families providing psychoeducation, brief psychotherapy, and group intervention, as well as providing educational events and evidence-based classes targeting caregivers and older adults. Amber is committed to meeting people where they are and doing what she can to meet their current needs. Her goal through Dementia Friendly Bryan-College Station is to empower and advocate for people living with dementia, support their family and caregivers through a cohesive community of services and resources, and provide education to spread awareness of dementia throughout the community to reduce social stigma.

Lindsey Armstrong, MSRLS, SE-ASNMT has over 15 years of experience in the Senior Care Industry and has extensive experience working with Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients in many different settings throughout her career. She began her career as an Activities Director in an assisted living & memory care facility, eventually leading her to be a Memory Care Director. In this dementia dedicated assisted living facility, she served as a hands-on leader, managing the healthcare for all residents, and was responsible for staff dementia training. Lindsey currently serves as the Supervisor for the WellFIT Program at St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital. She also facilitates a support group for family caregivers twice a month. Lindsey is very active in her community in various organizations, including the Down Syndrome Association of the Brazos Valley, and volunteers her time and expertise to help educate non-profit groups interested in Special populations, Alzheimer's and dementia issues and fitness. Dementia Friendly Bryan/College Station fits with her personal mission to provide compassionate and culturally competent health information to the community by promoting wellness through health education and advocacy.

Doug Pollak, a retired petroleum engineer, and his wife, Nita have celebrated almost four decades of marriage filled with love, laughter, and adventure. They enjoy spending time with their three children and seven grandchildren, traveling, attending sporting events, and being active in their community and church events. “Bloom where you are planted” was something Nita always encouraged in her children, and that philosophy has been tested in the lives of Doug and Nita as well. In 2015, Doug suffered a series of minor strokes which left him with a diagnosis of vascular dementia. In 2021, an additional diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer’s was added. With each diagnosis, they had a choice: continue to live life as purposeful as possible or retreat and stop pursuing their dreams. Though it is not always easy at times, they have chosen to persevere in order to learn how to make the proper modifications and accommodations to be able to still pursue the things that bring them joy. Having a support network of family and friends, as well as learning and sharing experiences with those who are on this same arduous journey is critical. That is why they are excited and encouraged knowing a chapter of Dementia Friendly is being established in the Bryan/College Station area. The resources and community support they will receive through Dementia Friendly will help them navigate their dementia journey and give them more tools to utilize as time goes on. It is their desire to continue to maximize their time together doing the things they love, and the more resources and support they acquire will allow this to happen for as long as possible.

Cindy Emola has been a dedicated resident of Bryan/College Station for over 20 years and brings more than three decades of experience as a registered nurse to the community. Currently, Cindy serves at Hospice Brazos Valley as the Clinical Liaison, the only non-profit hospice organization covering 17 counties in the Brazos Valley area. With a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for dementia patients, their families, and caregivers, Cindy has become a pivotal figure in local healthcare. Through education and compassionate care, Cindy tirelessly works to support and uplift those affected by dementia, striving to make a positive impact in the community.

Joie Ford has been in long-term care specializing in Alzheimer’s and Dementia for 11 years, receiving her Texas Assisted Living Administrators License in 2018. She has been a member of the International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners since 2020, and helping families and residents with the continuous changes of living with dementia is her passion. When not working or continuing her education Joie loves to spend time with her family and friends.

Jennifer Lewis has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 1994. She was working in a hospital in San Antonio in March of 2020 when Covid 19 caused a universal lock down. Watching her patients spend days and nights alone in the hospital without the support of their loved ones, she saw how much more desperately patients wanted to leave the hospital, and family members begged to let them come home. Having worked in Home Health as an SLP earlier in her career, she began to consider the possibility of returning to that work, but with a greater mission. Simultaneously, Jennifer and her husband had decided to join some of the Lewis family living on a joint property in Washington County. Through her pursuit of finding meaningful work in Home Health in the Brazos Valley, she discovered the opportunity to own and operate BrightStar Care of Bryan/College Station. Jennifer has always had a passion for learning, continuous improvement, and personal development. She also has consistently pursued leadership opportunities throughout her lifetime. Serving as an Ambassador for the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer has immersed herself in the Brazos Valley business community with the goal of learning how she and her team at BrightStar Care can positively impact the lives of all who may need Home Care or Home Health Care in Bryan/College Station and surrounding communities. She believes home-based care is one of the most important and rapidly evolving parts of our healthcare system. As care continues to shift into the home, the opportunity to improve access, outcomes, and the patient experience has never been greater. Although Jennifer continues to maintain active Speech-Language Pathologist License and Certifications, her mission now, as Owner and Operator of BrightStar Care of Bryan/College Station, is TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE in the place they call home. It is a joy to cultivate a team of nurses, therapists and nursing assistants who recognize the privilege we have of being welcomed into homes and creating a healing environment for our clients during their most vulnerable time. It is an honor to partner with family members and provide relief. It is a pleasure to facilitate our client’s Best Life.

Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH, is a regents and distinguished professor for the Department Environmental and Occupational Health at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. With a long-standing interest in aging and public health, Dr. Ory is the founding director of the university-wide Center for Population Health and Aging, chair of the SPH Health and Wellness Committee and academic partner for the Community Research Center for Senior Health with Baylor Scott and White Health. She chairs the HSC Opioid Task Force, and is working with an interdisciplinary cross-campus group to foster innovative research, education and service projects emanating from the Health Sciences Center. She co-leads Healthy Texas, a new system-wide effort to examine strategies for promoting health and wellness for all Texans. Ory was honored for her sustained commitment to her research, receiving The Association of Former Students’ Distinguished Achievement Award in Research from Texas A&M University for 2021. Prior to coming to Texas A&M University, Dr. Ory spent 20 years in federal service as chief of Social Science Research on Aging in the Behavioral and Social Research Program at the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Aging. Dr. Ory received her Bachelor of Arts in sociology and psychology from the University of Texas, Master of Arts in sociology and human development from Indiana University, doctorate in family studies and human development from Purdue University and Master of Public Health in chronic disease epidemiology and behavioral sciences from John Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Melissa is a fifth-generation Texan, born and raised in Montgomery County. She received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in Psychology and English. In 2012 she graduated with her Juris Doctorate from the South Texas College of Law and began practicing as an attorney. At the core, Melissa understands that when people are seeking legal assistance and advice, they are seeking help. Whether an unexpected situation has arisen in their life or some complication has derailed plans, clients need honest and straightforward information and planning to make the best decisions for themselves or their family. For those reasons, Melissa and Joshua strive to operate with the highest level of integrity and ethics. When agreeing to represent a client and their needs, Melissa works to be available and to provide the communication they need to understand their unique situation. In addition to the work done in the law offices, Joshua and Melissa have five children together and two grandchildren. She is committed to service in the community and is also active with NAMI of Brazos Valley and Republican Women of the Brazos Valley, actively participates with the Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley, and is a member of the Texas Guardianship Association.

Born and raised in College Station, Texas, Karrian has always had a deep-rooted love for her community and the people who call it home. Her passion for service led her into the senior living industry, where she has dedicated her career to enhancing the lives of older adults—especially those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. A strong advocate for seniors, she works tirelessly to ensure they are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. Whether she’s supporting residents, guiding families, or raising awareness about memory care, her heart is in every interaction. Known for her giving spirit, she is always ready to lend a helping hand and believes in the power of community. From volunteering to supporting local initiatives, she takes pride in giving back to the place that helped shape her. Her mission is simple: to make a meaningful difference, one life at a time.