Rosemary D. Laird, MD, MHSA

Speaking Topics:

• Improving the Patient Experience - All patients
• Developing an effective workplace culture
• Compassion & Empathy - not just for the patient
• Caring for the Caregiver
• Alsheimer's disease

Rosemary Laird, MD is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department if Geriatrics at the Florida State University School of Medicine. Dr. Laird also serves as a Principal Investigator for ClinCloudResearch in Viera, Florida. Dr. Laird was the Executive Medical Director of the AdventHealth Senior Health Program in Orlando for 6 years. Prior to her being selected for the Florida Hospital position, she became the founding Medical Director of Health First Aging Services and the Center for Family Caregivers in 2002 in Melbourne, Florida, where her dedication to her community and patients earned her recognition as a Space Coast Humanitarian in 2001 followed by the American Geriatrics Society's Clinician of the Year award in 2013.

Dr. Laird received her medical degree with honors from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Chicago Hospitals, where she earned the rank of Chief Resident. She then pursued specialized medical training in geriatrics via a fellowship at the University of Kansas, where she also earned a Masters in Health Services Administration.

A consummate advocate for senior citizens and the family members who are their primary caregivers, Dr. Laird is a co-author of the 2009 Best Consumer Health Book called Take Your Oxygen First: Protecting Your Health and Happiness While Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss with Leeza Gibbons. She is a respected authority on cognitive issues associated with the elderly, and has authored multiple articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. She also writes a monthly advice column for clinical care providers for the publication Today's Geriatric Medicine. Dr. Laird is a Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society, a past president and active member of the Florida Geriatrics Society, and a Senior Reserve Alliance board member.

Dr. Laird constantly seeks ways to advance medicine's understanding of the experience of aging and greatly values every opportunity to help patients and their families to navigate the challenges attendant to the complex and infinitely precious later stages of life.

During Fred Lee's last days, she worked with Fred to plan the completion of his last book; Beyond Disney - Heartwiring Healthcare Excellence, Restoring the Art of Compassion and Empathy, now available. Dr. Laird is available for speaking appointments in the areas of patient experience for all patients, compassion of the caregivers and on the topic of Heartwiring.

Quick Profile:

• Executive Medical Director, the Florida Hospital Senior program
• Founding Physician, Centre for Senior Health
• Master’s Degree, Health Services Administration, University of Kansas, Leavenworth, KS
• Fellowship, Geriatrics, Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center and Center of Aging, University of Kansas
• Residency, Internal Medicine, Chief Resident, University of Chicago, IL
• Medical Degree, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC (1991)

Awards and Recognition:

ACHE Recommended Reading for Heartwiring Healthcare Excellence (2021)
American Geriatrics Society Clinician of the Year Award (2013)
Space Coast Humanitarian Award (2011)
Health First Inc. President's Award for Leadership (2010)
Finalist, Florida Today Citizen of the Year (2005)
"Top 4 under 40" Leaders in Brevard County (2005)

Heartwiring Healthcare Excellence
Restoring the Art of Compassion and Empathy