Fraternal Order Endows Alzheimer’s Research At MU

The West Virginia Order of the Eastern Star will support Alzheimer’s research efforts at the Marshall University (MU) Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, aiming to advance scientific understanding and develop effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. 

The order is an international fraternal organization with 65 chapters and nearly 10,000 members in West Virginia. In October 2022, Teresa Cisco was elected Worthy Grand Matron for West Virginia. She chose to focus on Alzheimer’s research, driven by a deeply personal connection to the cause. 

Just a few years before, her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by a neurologist at Marshall University’s School of Medicine. 

“My mother, Melissa D. Cisco, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019 by a neurologist at Marshall University’s School of Medicine,” Cisco said. “I watched this strong, intelligent woman’s mind slowly deteriorate due to the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Witnessing its profound impact on patients and their families, I felt compelled to contribute to finding a cure, and Marshall University was the natural choice.” 

The decision to support Marshall University was also influenced by a deep family connection, as Cisco, her mother, her aunt and her niece are all alumni. 

The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine is engaged in various research initiatives to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including the Institute for Excellence in Prescribing for Elders with Dementia, which focuses on innovative therapies and appropriate prescribing techniques. Translational research aims to identify dementia biomarkers for better diagnosis and new treatments. 

Through collaborations with the Marshall University colleges of liberal arts and arts and media, the medical school is also exploring the effects of art therapy on cognitive decline. Clinically, the Susan Edwards Drake Memory Assessment Clinic, the Marshall Center for Healthy Aging and Hanshaw Geriatric Center all provide comprehensive treatment and support for dementia patients at Marshall Health, with additional memory evaluations available through neurology and psychiatry. 

“Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can be particularly trying because they affect a patient’s sense of self,” said Lynne J. Goebel, M.D., professor of medicine and geriatrics at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “Not only are these disorders challenging for patients, but they can place significant strain on caregivers. Everyone knows someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia and knows how damaging the disease can be. My own mother passed away from Alzheimer’s three years ago, and it’s devastating to watch your loved one lose their memories and become a different person. This endowment will open doors to new research in dementia at Marshall — research that I hope will benefit the millions of people suffering from this disease and their caregivers.”