Daniel C. Potts MD FAAN, a neurologist, author, and educator, has dedicated his career to championing individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as their caregivers. His professional journey and focus on invisible disabilities were profoundly shaped by his personal experience caring for his father, Lester E. Potts, Jr., who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. While Lester’s memory and language skills declined, he discovered a previously unknown talent for watercolor painting at an adult day program. This transformation from a saw miller to an acclaimed artist inspired Dr. Potts to shift his professional perspective from solely focusing on the deficits of a disease to recognizing and nurturing the remaining strengths and potential of the person.

This personal journey motivated Dr. Potts to found the Cognitive Dynamics Foundation. Through this non-profit, he works to make expressive arts therapies more widely available to people with dementia. One of the foundation’s flagship programs, “Bringing Art to Life,” pairs students with individuals living with dementia for weekly art therapy sessions. This intergenerational program not only provides an outlet for creative expression and social engagement for people with dementia but also teaches students about person-centered care, empathy, and the science of dementia. Dr. Potts has also authored and co-authored several books, including A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver, to provide resources and support for care partners.

Dr. Potts’s work has had a significant impact on both people living with invisible disabilities and their caregivers. By advocating for person-centered care and the use of expressive arts, he highlights the importance of dignity and self-preservation for those with cognitive impairment. His advocacy has helped to diminish the stigma associated with dementia by showcasing the potential for a high quality of life and creativity even in the face of the disease. For caregivers, Dr. Potts’s work provides crucial support, offering guidance, resources, and a message of hope. His personal story and professional efforts have helped caregivers feel understood and less alone, and have provided them with tools to navigate the difficult journey of caring for a loved one with dementia. For his contributions, he was named the 2008 Donald M. Palatucci Advocate of the Year by the American Academy of Neurology and has been designated an Architect of Change by Maria Shriver.