Caregiver Conference

Ann Brand, Mindfulness Teacher, PH. D in Psychology

Ann Brand is a certified mindfulness teacher through The Mindfulness Training Institute (MTI) and the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA). She is also an Associate Lecturer in the College of Education, Hospitality, Health, and Human Sciences at The University of Wisconsin-Stout and Program Specialist for Mindfulness Training for Arts Integration Menomonie (AIM). Ann holds a doctorate in psychology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with an emphasis on child development and families. Since receiving her mindfulness teacher training through MTI in 2014, Ann has introduced the practice of mindfulness to students, teachers, administrators, and educational leaders in both K-12 and higher education. Ann also works with business and health care organizations. She offers professional development for educators in Wisconsin and teaches mindfulness classes in her community at The Center in Eau Claire, WI.

Lisa Wells, Dementia Care Specialist, Aging & Disability Resource Center

Lisa Wells has more than 30 years of experience working in the field of aging and dementia and has been with the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County for 18 years. She provides support for individuals with dementia and their caregivers, offers memory screenings, evidenced based-programs, assistance with care planning, and connections to local resources. She assists in developing dementia-friendly communities, creating civic awareness of dementia-related issues, providing lectures and training to community members, health professionals, students, and more. Lisa worked in long term care and was an adjunct instructor at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and teaching Gerontology – Aging Services Professional Program. Ms. Wells holds a master’s degree in Gerontology from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Kris Modl, Director of Social Services, Dove Healthcare

Kris graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1987 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. In 2018 she completed the Nursing Home Administration Preparation Course through the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Kris has worked in health care for 34 years of which the last 23 years have been at Dove Healthcare South & West Eau Claire as the Director of Social Services and Admissions. Kris is a certified social worker in the State of Wisconsin. She also holds an accreditation as a certified social worker with the National Association of Social Workers.

Kris has been a member since 1988 of the Wisconsin Nursing Home Social Workers Association and the Indianhead Nursing Home Social Workers Association. As a member of these associations, she has served in various board capacities and currently is the President of the Indianhead Nursing Home Social Workers Association.

For the last 25+ years, Kris has served on the Professional Advisory Committee for Mayo Clinic Health System Home Health and Hospice. She is also serves on the Field Experience Committee for the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire College of Education and Human Services since 2013.

Since 2010, Kris has been an active member of the Chippewa Valley Continuum of Care Coalition - a coalition of health care providers within our community that develops and implements a patient-centered transition process and continuum of care for the patient.

Kris was the recipient of the 2017-18 Honoring Our Professionals of Excellence (HOPE) Award from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire College of Education and Human Sciences and the recipient of the Excellence in Community Partnership Award from UWEC Social Work Department in 2018.

In her spare time, Kris enjoys spending time with her family which includes 9 grandchildren, traveling and cane pole fishing.

Amy Segerstrom, Writer, Speaker, Spiritual Director

Amy Segerstrom is a writer, speaker, spiritual director, and former coordinator of The Healing Place, a program of Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. Her poetry and prose are featured in “Spilled Ink and Second Thoughts” and “Goodbye to Lonesome Valley,” both available at The Local Store in Eau Claire. A resident of Mondovi, she is working on a book of meditations entitled, “Living in the And of Life: Reflections from Mirror Lake.”

Mary Pica Anderson, Executive Director, L.E. Phillips Senior Center

Mary has supported healthy aging for over 40 years.

Dan Slowey, Co-Founder Intentional Living University, LLC

Dan Slowey is a health educator with a comprehensive master’s degree in Health Education from the UW-La Crosse. Presently, Dan is a principal at a Middle School in Green Bay. Dan is also a certified laughter leader and emanates humor throughout all his presentations. Dan is a co-founder of Intentional Living University, LLC. He has facilitated training, workshops, and seminars involving educators, parents, youth, business leaders, and community members.

Peter Grosskopf, Attorney, Grosskopf Law Office LLC

Peter Grosskopf has more than 30 years of experience in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and planning for Individuals with Disabilities or special needs. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Wisconsin Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Special Needs Alliance (SNA) and Wisconsin Elder Law Section of the State Bar and serves on the Board of Directors. Peter is also on the Board of Directors for WisPACT the Wisconsin Pooled and Community Trust for Disabled individuals. He has presented numerous workshops and presentations on Elder Law and Estate Planning and serves as a consultant to several local financial planning organizations. He represents a variety of businesses, assisting with business development, incorporation, and liability issues.

Troy Perdue, Caregiver Support Coordinator, Minneapolis VA – Program lead in the Minneapolis VA Caregiver Support Program.

As an RN Caregiver Support Coordinator, I am charged with supporting caregivers, Veterans, and family members throughout the medical center, virtually, and in community settings to enhance their experience in interacting with the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Denise Losie, LICSW, General Caregiver Support Coordinator in the Minneapolis VA Caregiver Support Program

As the lead for the General Program, Denise supports Caregivers and Veterans throughout the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. As coordinator, she is charged with the development and implementation of programs for Caregivers and community outreach.

Cathy Reitz, Conductor, Stand in the Light Memory Choir

Cathy Reitz has created a career devoted to the lifelong benefits of singing. As an educator for 48 years, she has been a public and private vocal coach, music teacher, and choir instructor.  For the last 5 years Cathy has conducted the Stand in the Light Memory Choir and continues to perform with Cathy Reitz & 7Swing and The Cathy Reitz Trio.

Paula Gibson, Former Director of Communications and Engagement for Azura Memory Care

Paula Gibson is the former Regional Director of Communications and Engagement for Azura Memory Care, which provides safe, loving homes for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in numerous communities throughout Wisconsin. Paula is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Virtual Dementia Tour Trainer, Certified Cognitive Stimulation Provider, and the creator of MOSAIC Connections. (A training program that equips Azura Team Members with the knowledge and understanding to bolster residents’ self-worth and create a true failure-free, less threatening world for those with memory loss.)

Bridget Cramer, Marketing & Social Media Industry Trainer, CVTC

Bridget Cramer has spent the last decade working for Lindus Construction and is the Director of Marketing, Reputation Management, and Social Media. In 2017, Professional Remodeler magazine named her to their "40 Under 40" class. She has also shared winning strategies for expanded social media exposure and online reputation management methodologies during her presentations to elite North American contractors and on industry podcasts. In addition, Bridget works as a social media freelancer for independent local businesses in a variety of industries.

Sarah Bodeau, LPC, CSAC, Behavioral Care Therapist, Prevea Health

Sarah Bodeau is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor at Prevea Behavioral Care in Eau Claire, WI. Sarah works with adolescents and adults dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance use. She loves to work in the garden and take her dogs for walks when she needs to recharge.

Troy Bruns, Substance Use Disorder Counseling Instructor, CVTC

Troy is the program director of the SUDC program (formerly called AODA) at CVTC. His undergraduate work was at Mount St. Clare College (now Ashford University) and the University of Iowa in Liberal Arts. He has a Master of Arts degree in counseling from the University of Iowa and further graduate credits in psychology from Walden University. He has 30 years of experience in the SUD and mental health counseling fields and currently owns a private practice in the Eau Claire area. He and his family have been in Eau Claire for 20 years. He is a licensed professional counselor, certified alcohol and drug counselor, certified hypnotherapist. and certified practitioner in NLP.

Pam VanKampen, Registered Dietician Nutritionist/Certified Dietician

Pam is part of the Nutrition Team for the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR). GWAAR is a large statewide non-profit Area Agency on Aging that oversees 70 counties and 11 tribal aging offices throughout Wisconsin. She has worked there for 25 years. Pam holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Illinois State University and completed her post-graduate dietetic internship at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. She has been a dietitian for 33 years. Pam has been married for 36 years to her wonderful husband, Mark, who works for Bush Beans & Co. They have 31-year-old boy/girl twins and a 27-year-old daughter, 2 grandsons, and 3 dogs.

Seated Zumba®

Seated Zumba® Gold is a dynamic exercise program done safely in a chair from a seated position. The easy-to-follow movements are designed to fit the ability and range of motion of those with limited mobility and balance issues. This exercise program is an excellent way to improve your core stability, bone and muscular strength, mobility, and motor skills!

This session will be led by Zumba instructor Julie Maxson. Julie has been teaching since 2015 and believes exercise should be fun! She loves creating a safe, effective, and enjoyable experience in her classes where participants can benefit physically and mentally from the exercise. When Julie is not instructing, she loves exploring the outdoors and spending time with her husband and six children.