Becoming an Activated Patient: How to Take Control and Enhance Your Level of Health Care (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781495266683)

Alexander "Sandy" Halperin, DDS, was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. After receiving his dental degree from New York University College of Dentistry and his specialty training in prosthodontics at Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York, he enjoyed an acclaimed career working in many areas of dentistry. He co-authored a book titled Mastering the Art of Complete Dentures, and served as Assistant Professor of Prosthodontics at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the University of Texas Health Science Center. Following his early disability retirement from dentistry because of his life-threatening infections, Sandy held positions as a disability insurance specialist, co-owner of a community newspaper, president of a marketing, advertising and research firm, and City Commissioner in Weston, Florida. Toward the end of his professional career, Sandy was employed as a dental consultant for the Florida Department of Health, where he worked in two key areas: public health dentistry and prosecution services, where he reviewed consumer patient complaints made against dentists. Since receiving his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2010, Sandy has channeled his energy and expertise into increasing awareness, raising funds for curative research, encouraging and advocating for patients and caregivers, and working to help decrease the stigma associated with this cognitive impairment. While serving as an adviser and now an alumni of the National Alzheimer's Association 2012-2013 Early Stage Advisory Group, Sandy has traveled nationwide, speaking with everyone from members of Congress to a variety of organizations. In 2013, the Alexander "Sandy" Halperin Research Fund was initiated at Florida State University's College of Medicine Center for Brain Repair, and Sandy was selected to be the focus of a CNN documentary under the direction of Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Sandy lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. Gina Davidson grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and moved to Florida in 1986, where she attended Florida State University and graduated in Secondary English Education. She has been a writer for more than 20 years, worked for 13 years in journalism (writing, advertising and design), and has taught language arts at the elementary and high-school levels. She is currently working on a memoir. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with her husband, their two children, and their golden retriever, Clark.