We want to give you a taste of what’s to come for the Fall and what better way to do so than introduce our excellent keynote speakers.
Rev. Beth Long-Higgins
Beth has been passionate about oder adults since childhood as the eldest great-grandchild and center of attention from multiple grandmothers and great aunts. She worked as a nurse aid in a nursing home and took the only gerontology course offered during her college tenure. Her first field placement in graduate school was in a retirement community. Her ministry for 25 years allowed her relationships with many older adults and their adult children as they navigated late life opportunities and challenges. She served on the Board of Directors for United Church Homes for 6 ½ years prior to joining the staff. In 2013, she was called to serve on the staff at UCH and in 2017 was named as the founding executive director of the organization’s Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging. A graduate of Heidelberg (College) University with degrees in psychology and music, Rev. Beth holds a Master of Divinity from the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Beth has been an ordained minister in the UCC for over 30 years. She is a musician, a fiber artist and the mother of two adult children.
Amy Siple
Amy is a national speaker on health care issues that impact older adults and the empowerment of health care givers. Although she speaks on many topics, there are two she has a particular passion for: equipping caregivers of clients afflicted with dementia, and medication management for the elderly. Amy maintains an active practice as geriatric nurse practitioner and has been an Associate Professor of Nursing for over 15 years. During this time, she has taught a variety of subjects including the following: Pathophysiology, Nursing Assessment, Pharmacology, Advanced Principles of Aging, and Dying Well. As a part of the National Geriatric Nursing Education Consortium and the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium, Amy is committed to improving the care of the elderly. Amy is recognized as a leading expert on Alzheimer’s. In 2018, she was appointed by Governor Colyer to serve on the Alzheimer’s Task Force for the state of Kansas. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Kelly to serve on the Board of Directors for Adult Care Home Administrators. She appreciates the opportunity to positively influence the lives of her patients, students, and communities throughout the United States.
Dr. Paul White
Dr. Paul White is a psychologist, author, speaker, and consultant who “makes work relationships work”. For the past 20 years, he’s improved numerous businesses, schools, government agencies, and non-profit organizations by helping them:
- Create positive workplace relationships and improve staff morale.
- Eliminate the cynicism, sarcasm and lack of trust that often is associated with traditional employee recognition programs.
- Overcome the obstacles to help staff communicate authentic appreciation to one another.
Dr. White is co-author of three books, including The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, written with Dr. Gary Chapman (author of the #1 NY Times bestseller, The 5 Love Languages) which is in 15 languages and has sold over 225,000 copies worldwide. His other two books co-authored with Dr. Chapman and Harold Myra, Rising Above a Toxic Workplace and Sync or Swim, continue to be well-received by employees, HR professionals, and organizational leaders. Dr. White graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wheaton College with a major in Christian Education, earned his Masters of Counseling from Arizona State University, and received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University. He has been married for over 30 years and is the father of four adult children.
More information coming soon!
