Lori Nisson

About Lori Nisson

I am a clinician and healthcare leader focused on improving how systems support people living with behavioral health challenges, memory and movement disorders and the families who care for them.At Banner Health, I lead innovative neurodegenerative care initiatives that address the complex medical, behavioral, and social needs of individuals living with neurodegeneration. My work centers on designing scalable care models that integrate clinical care, caregiver support, education, and community partnerships to improve outcomes and expand access to services.As Director of Family & Community Services for the Banner Alzheimer\'s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute, I oversee multidisciplinary programs that support patients, caregivers, and communities across the dementia journey. Our initiatives combine evidence-informed program design, data-driven evaluation, and cross-sector collaboration to deliver education, counseling, care coordination, and therapeutic support at scale.My background in clinical social work, private practice, and healthcare consulting informs a practical, people-centered approach to change management and systems innovation. I have led the development of new care models, expanded access to dementia-capable services in underserved communities, and helped organizations strengthen caregiver engagement and support.I am particularly interested in advancing dementia care through innovative care delivery models, caregiver-centered approaches, and value-based frameworks such as the GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience).I frequently collaborate with healthcare leaders, researchers, and community organizations to improve the quality and accessibility of behavioral health and neurodegnerative disease care nationwide.

Experience

1. Director, Dementia Care Innovation and Caregiver Services

   Banner Health

   Oct 2016 — Present · Phoenix, AZ, US

   Innovates, develops and implements new programs to best meet the education, counseling and support needs of people, family caregivers and communities living with neurodegenerative disorders. Fundraises to meet financial needs to launch support programs, staff and materials

Education

• Loyola University Chicago

  MSW, Clinical Social Work

  1993 — 1995

• The University of Kansas

  BA, Psychology

  1988 — 1992

Skills

• Healthcare
• Mental Health Counseling
• Long-Term Care
• Nonprofits
• Motivational Interviewing
• Program Development
• Medicaid
• Group Therapy
• Crisis Intervention
• Public Speaking
• Behavioral Health
• Life Transitions
• Interventions
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Clinical Research
• Alzheimer's Care
• Psychotherapy
• Healthcare Management
• Social Services
• Case Managment
• Elder Care
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Inpatient Care
• Mental Health
• Counseling Psychology
• Inpatient
• Training
• Treatment
• Hospitals
• Psychology
• Adults
• Managed Care
• Community Outreach
• Family Therapy
• Senior Services
• Case Management
• Adolescents