Spotlight on Allan Anderson, MD
08/04/2020
“I’ve known about BAI for some time,
I wanted to be part of this model of care
because it is exactly how I’ve always
cared for people with dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease."
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute was thrilled to welcome Allan Anderson, MD, in November 2019 as the director of BAI’s new comprehensive care center in Tucson. Dr. Anderson joined Banner from his practice in Maryland where he was a part-time assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University. There, he collaborated with other geriatric psychiatrists, neurologists, and geriatricians on research, clinical trials and care for people with dementia.
Dr. Anderson has a wealth of knowledge and experience in dementia care. In addition to his medical training, he has also achieved a Master of Medical Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University. His goals for care match BAI’s in many ways. He is a strong advocate for comprehensive care that focuses on the medical and emotional needs of patients and the support needs of their caregivers.
“I’ve known about BAI for some time,” said Dr. Anderson. “I wanted to be part of this model of care because it is exactly how I’ve always cared for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.” Dr. Anderson embraces the comprehensive, person-centered approach to care at BAI. He emphasizes the importance of paying attention to caregivers’ needs, helping them learn how to communicate with their loved ones and understand all aspects of the disease process.
During his time in Maryland, Dr. Anderson served as Vice President for Dementia Care at Integrace in Maryland, where he studied innovative care models for dementia patients with a focus on neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression and aggression. He also served as the principal investigator for a number of clinical trials, some targeting the cognitive deficits of Alzheimer’s disease and others focused on behavioral symptoms and medication use.
BAI Tucson officially opened in June. The facility includes The Toole Family Memory Center for clinical care, a large education room, and a patient/family library. The Tucson clinic offers many of the same programs and services available in Phoenix, including comprehensive dementia care, access to research and clinical trials, education programs and support groups.
“My ultimate goal is to create a center of excellence for dementia care in Tucson,” said Dr. Anderson. “We have an incredible team in Tucson including physicians, a neuropsychologist, social worker, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, research and support staff. Together, we are bringing the BAI model of care to Tucson—comprehensive, individualized care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, their families and caregivers.”