Founder of the SVG Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia Association is now a Nursing Fellow

Founder and Vice-President of the SVG ( St Vincent and the Grenadines) Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Association (SVGADDA), Dr. Glenna Brewster has been inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing (AAN,) USA.

The AAN Fellowship is one of the highest honours in the nursing profession, recognizing individuals whose work has made a substantial impact on health and healthcare. Fellows are selected based on their dedication to the health and wellness of patients, families, and communities, as well as their contributions to advancing the field of nursing through research, education, and practice.

Dr. Brewster’s induction on November 4, 2024, is a testament to her exceptional work in gerontological, the SVG Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Association Inc., said in a release signed by President, Sylvia Gould, in which they announced their pride at Dr. Brewster’s achievement.

She is an alumna of the Park Hill Government School, Girls’ High School, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, and holds an Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Broward College, a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Nursing, a Master of Arts in Gerontology, and a Ph.D. in Nursing Science from the University of South Florida.

Additionally, Dr. Brewster completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology.

As an Assistant Professor on the tenure track at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson, Woodruff School of Nursing and principal investigator of the Mind At Rest Research Lab, Dr. Brewster has made significant contributions to research on sleep health in dementia. Her work on sleep disturbances in dementia is paving the way for innovative, accessible interventions that align with the Academy’s mission to advance equitable healthcare, the SVGADDA said in its release. Dr. Brewster’s impact extends to her homeland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the broader Caribbean, where she addresses the challenges of caring for a growing population of persons living with dementia. As the founder of SVGADDA, she has led dementia education and caregiver training across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, providing essential support to government workers, nursing home staff, and community caregivers.

Dr. Brewster’s work is currently funded by the National Institute on Ageing and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation. She has also received support from the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, the Emory Global Health Institute, and the National Institute of Nursing Research. Reflecting on this recognition, Dr. Brewster said, “I am deeply honoured to be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. This recognition affirms the importance of the work I am doing and my commitment to improving the lives of those living with cognitive impairment and dementia and their caregivers. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my colleagues and contribute to this important area of nursing.”

President of the SVGADDA, Sylvia Gould said, “We celebrate Dr. Brewster’s tremendous achievements and her unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of caregivers and persons living with dementia. Her induction into the American Academy of Nursing is a meaningful recognition of her impact in dementia care, sleep research, and community health”.