Sam Fazio

Sam Fazio, Ph.D., is Director of Special Projects at the Alzheimer’s Association. Dr. Fazio has worked for the national headquarters of the Alzheimer’s Association since 1994 in a variety of areas, including Education and Training and Program Services. He currently works in the Constituent Services area where he oversees quality evaluation standards and social/behavioral research initiatives. Dr. Fazio has also been involved in several research projects with older adults in the Chicago area related to the persistence of self, person-centered care, and health and wellness. Additionally, Dr. Fazio is a part-time faculty member in the gerontology program at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

Dr. Fazio received his doctorate in developmental psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Prior to working for the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Fazio worked from Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center at the Alzheimer’s Family Care Center, an adult day center specifically designed for people with dementia. He has worked in the field of aging since 1987 and has a broad range of experience, including research, leadership and management, working with older adults and families, and direct care.

Dr. Fazio has presented both nationally and internationally as well as published several journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Fazio is the author of The Enduring Self in People with Alzheimer’s: Getting to the Heart of Individualized Careand the co-author of the book Rethinking Alzheimer’s Care.