About the Course

Palliative care skillsets provide a great foundation for individuals and families to improve the care they receive, especially with complex conditions like Lewy body dementia (LBD).

This course will provide an overview of what palliative care is and how it can support your quality of life in navigating your journey with LBD.

Course curriculum

    1. Course Description

    2. Learning Objectives

    1. About the Presenter: Malenna Sumrall

    2. The Journey Prior to Palliative Care

    1. About the Presenter: Benzi Kluger, MD, MS, FAAN

    2. Neuropalliative Care: An Approach and A Specialty

    3. Introduction to Palliative Care: A Care Partner's Story

    1. About the Presenter: Sarah Chen, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C

    2. Social Work

    3. Palliative Care Social Worker: Malenna's Experience

    1. About the Presenter: Sue Oulette

    2. Caring for the Spiritual Needs of Someone with Lewy body dementia and their family

    3. Palliative Care Chaplain: Malenna's Experience

    1. About the Presenter: Neha Kramer, MD

    2. Specialist Palliative Care and the Transition to Hospice

    3. Hospice: Malenna's Story

About this course

  • 1.5 hours of video content

Meet Your Instructors

Malenna Sumrall

Malenna Sumrall became a dedicated advocate for neuropalliative care after caring for her husband, who lived with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Inspired by the care they received at the University of Colorado, she now serves on research advisory councils and presents at national conferences, including INPCS and AAHPM. Malenna leads a virtual support group for care partners and works to expand awareness of the neuropalliative model among healthcare providers and families.

Benzi Kluger, MD, MS, FAAN

Dr. Benzi Kluger is an internationally recognized leader in neuropalliative care and founding President of the International Neuropalliative Care Society. His research focuses on developing and implementing palliative interventions for people living with Parkinson’s disease and other neurologic illnesses. At the University of Rochester, Dr. Kluger leads efforts to improve care for patients and families and to address nonmotor symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive changes through research, education, and advocacy.

Sarah Chen, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C

Sarah Chen is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and other neurodegenerative conditions. With over 15 years of experience, she focuses on helping patients and care partners navigate emotional, social, and practical challenges through palliative and supportive care. Sarah works to improve quality of life by addressing non-medical barriers to wellness and ensuring care aligns with each patient’s goals and values.

Sue E. Ouellette, PhD, MDiv, LMFT

Dr. Sue Ouellette is a chaplain and licensed marriage and family therapist in the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester. She provides emotional and spiritual care to individuals with neurological disorders and also serves as Associate Chair for Physician Wellbeing. With a PhD from Kent State University and a Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Dr. Ouellette brings decades of experience supporting mental health and compassionate care in healthcare settings.

Neha Kramer, MD

Dr. Neha Kramer is a palliative neurologist at Rush University Medical Center, where she developed and leads a neuropalliative clinic serving individuals with Parkinson’s disease, ALS, dementia, and related conditions. She completed her residency and fellowships at Mayo Clinic and holds joint appointments in Neurology and Internal Medicine. Dr. Kramer co-directs multiple national education programs in neuropalliative care and is committed to advancing training and awareness in this growing field.