Catherine McNeal, PhD

Chair

Catherine McNeal received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University in 1980 and was a member of the Chemistry Department Faculty until 1992. Her research focused on biomedical applications in the field of bioanalytical chemistry. She subsequently returned to school, obtaining her M.D. in 1996 from Texas A&M followed by a residency in Internal Medicine-Pediatrics at Scott & White in Temple Texas. She joined the Division of Cardiology at Scott & White in 2000 where she continues to work seeing adults and children for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases with a special focus on complex lipid disorders. Her research focus includes approaches to improved cardiac rehabilitation in older adults with heart failure and population-based studies in children and young adults with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. She is a caregiver for her mother and husband who are in memory care facilities.

Char Hu, PhD

Char received his PhD in molecular biophysics from Baylor College of Medicine where he researched the underlying mechanisms for diseases like Alzheimer’s. He went on to build and operate Georgetown Living, a certified Alzheimer's and dementia living facility known for its beautiful environment set on 15 acres, evidence-based design building, and pet therapy ranch animals. Following this, he founded a Medicare-accredited home health agency who uses skilled services to keep older adults independent at home. Dr. Hu also founded and is CEO of The Helper Bees, a technology company in Austin which uses personality to match in-home caregivers with those who need non-medical services.

Dr. Hu serves on related boards including Family Eldercare, AustinUp, Texas Alzheimer’s, and A Gift of Time. He recently helped to organize and host an Innovation Summit on Aging at Dell Medical School to help raise awareness around the need for technological development for age-related issues and speaks at events such as SXSW and LeadingAge. He is the recipient of the 2018 SXSW Global Community Service Award.

Irene Andrews

Texas Silver-Haired Legislature

Irene is a retired Killeen ISD Special Education teacher, member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, a lifetime member of the NEA and an organizer with Texas State Teachers Association. In 2013, she married her wife Joan Hinshaw. They have been together 35 years. Together, they cared for Joan’s elder parents in their Nolanville home for eight years, before both parents passed away at age 93. This experience motivated Irene to become an advocate for family caregivers such as Joan and herself, who need support and often don’t know where to turn for help.

She was elected to the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature in 2017 and is serving a second term through 2020, as a member of the subcommittee on Retirement and Aging. The TSHL works in conjunction with Texas Area Agencies on Aging(AAA) to advocate for seniors. Irene is the current Chair of the Central Texas AAA Advisory Committee.

Irene is a bee keeper and Joan is a master gardener. Both are past officers of the Bell County Texas Democratic Women and they continue to volunteer with, and support the work of, Habitat For Humanity and Families in Crisis Women’s Shelter.

Patsy Erschen-Notgrass, MSN

Patsy Erschen-Notgrass is the Vice President & CFO of Progressive Protection, a residential and commercial security and fire company in Belton, Texas. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Psychiatric Nursing. While she worked in variety of nursing settings, she has spent the last 18 years along with her husband as a local business owner. Patsy got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association when her mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. She had a long battle and passed away in 2001. Her husband’s father also had Alzheimer’s and passed away. She is a part of the Bell County Alzheimer’s Walk Committee for last 20 years. Patsy is committed to staying involved and working to keep people aware of the devastation of this disease.

Nicole Velasquez

Nicole Velasquez is a registered dietitian and mother of three grown children who lives with her husband in their new empty nest. Her mother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so she is taking the first steps on the path of being a caregiver. She and her mother Barbara are happy to be a part of the D-CARE study.

Barbara Bladin

Barbara Bladin moved to Texas 10 years ago to escape the cold Minnesota winters and to live near her daughter and her family in Morgan’s Point. During her life in MN she worked as a hairstylist and as a reporter for the local newspaper. She was the caretaker for her mother who had Alzheimer’s and has recently been diagnosed with this disease herself. She is glad to be a part of the D-CARE study and looks forward to helping in any way she can.