About us

Our Vision

A caring community for people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

 

Our Mission

Building a community of respect and support for those living with or affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias.

Our History

The Northern Arizona Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance (NAZADA) was initially formed in 2017 as the Flagstaff Alzheimer’s Coalition by a group of Flagstaff professionals who share a passion for
caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We represent healthcare
and community service organizations throughout Northern Arizona as well as family members who have cared for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

NAZADA is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. Our Tax ID number is 84-2191837.

Our Board of Directors

Terry Smith

Terry Smith

Chair
Terry is a Family Nurse Practitioner who has her own practice, a full-time faculty member at NAU in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs and is also on the board of the Northern Arizona Provider Group. She has lived and worked in the Flagstaff community since 2003 and specializes in geriatrics. Terry has worked to provide care to patients and support to their loved ones experiencing dementia. She also has personal experiences of caring for family members with Alzheimer’s dementia and dementia secondary to Parkinson’s.
Terry Smith

Patty Gourley

Co-Chair and Secretary

Patty became active in raising awareness of Alzheimer’s symptoms and caregiver support after her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012. She has been serving her community as an active volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association since 2014 and has the distinction of sitting on the Regional Leadership Committee for the Northern Arizona chapter. Patty became involved with NAZADA in 2019 and was honorably named Vice-Chair of the organization in 2021.

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Susan Butler

Treasurer

Susan is a certified public accountant specializing in tax preparation and tax planning. She provides services for individuals, partnerships, corporations, non-profits, trusts and estates. Susan is self-employed and has practiced in Flagstaff since 1994. Susan is a founding member of NAZADA and is very passionate about serving those in her community who are living with or caring for someone affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias by providing financial care assistance and other educational information.

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Candice Koenker

Board Member

Candice is currently the Program Manager for the Tobacco and Chronic Disease Prevention Program and Opioid Overdose Prevention Program at Coconino County Health and Human Services. She has worked in public health for over 10 years and has gained valuable experience in understanding and interacting with others of various backgrounds. Candice is a founding member of NAZADA who has dutifully worked to serve her community for many years providing a caring hand to anyone who is in need of one.

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Jennifer DuBois Nicholson

Board Member

Jennifer is a seasoned proposal and grant writer. After learning about NAZADA from mutual friends, she joined our volunteers to use her skills to better the lives of those in her community.

 

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Pam Raskob

Board Member
Pam is a Certified Caregiver and an Assisted Living Facility Manager licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. She has many years of hands-on experience caring for people with dementia and trying to educate and bring peace of mind to their families. She also has owned and operated a residential assisted living facility. Pam has worked hard to understand dementia and its impact on both patient and family. She feels it may be the most misunderstood and most devastating disease to contend. Pam has been in the Flagstaff community for almost 40 years and spent many years running Flagstaff Art in the Park. She was a founding member of The Artists’ Gallery cooperative and the First Friday Art Walk.
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Tasha Vigil

Board Member

Tasha Vigil is a Community Liaison who has worked in the Healthcare Industry for over 14 years. Her knowledge from working in Care Management, Hospice and Medical Home Health has been vital in helping others in the community. Tasha’s passion, empathy and dedication to making a difference come from her own personal experiences with loved ones who have been affected by Alzheimers. Tasha is a founding member of NAZADA and is very passionate about serving those in her community who are living with or caring for someone affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias by providing care management knowledge and resources.

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Karin Vonkay

Board Member

As a caregiver for her mother who had dementia, Karin was overwhelmed by the lack of information and resources to help her through this critical journey. In 2017 she learned about the Dementia Friends USA program and became a Dementia Friends Champion. In this program she gained insights about understanding and interacting with persons who had Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Karin is committed to sharing these insights with caregivers and healthcare professionals in our community so that they will have the tools and resources they need to improve the quality of their lives and those with whom they are caring for.