Alexander “Sandy” Halperin, DDS, a retired prosthodontist, embarked on a profound personal journey with Alzheimer’s disease after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2010 at the age of 60. This diagnosis, which eventually led to his medical disability from work in October 2009 due to dementia and other health issues, transformed his life’s focus from a distinguished dental career and various entrepreneurial and civic endeavors to becoming a tireless advocate for those living with dementia. Notably, Sandy allowed a CNN film crew and Dr. Sanjay Gupta into his home to document his journey for over five years, teaching Dr. Gupta “so much medically” about the devastating consequences of the disease. His experiences provided an invaluable, firsthand perspective that deeply informed his subsequent work as an author, speaker, and nonprofit volunteer. He has since passed on his advocacy “baton” due to the progression of his dementia and other health concerns, now prioritizing time with family and close friends while residing at Westminster Oaks Senior Living Community in Tallahassee, Florida.

Prior to his dementia diagnosis, Sandy had a rich professional and academic background. He earned his DDS from New York University College of Dentistry and completed a specialty residency in Prosthodontics at Eastman Dental Center. His teaching career included Assistant Professor roles in Prosthodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School and Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, where he was selected by the graduating class as one of their outstanding teachers. He co-authored the textbook “Mastering the Art of Complete Dentures”, a graduate-level dental textbook. His diverse career also included serving as Vice President at ImplaMed, co-owner and co-publisher of the Weston Gazette Newspaper, and a City Commissioner for Weston, Florida. These experiences honed his communication skills and provided him with a broad understanding of healthcare, business, and community engagement.

Sandy’s personal battle with Alzheimer’s catalyzed his fervent volunteerism and advocacy. He served on the Alzheimer’s Association (National) Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Advisory Group, acting as a spokesperson and providing input on early-stage issues. His advocacy extended to the federal level as an FDA Patient Representative for Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorder medications, where he advised on patient needs and preferences in product review. As a volunteer with the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) Advisory Council, he championed the active inclusion of individuals living with dementia in organizational initiatives. His profound insights from living with dementia also led him to co-author the book “Becoming an Activated Patient: How to Take Control and Enhance Your Level of Health Care,” leveraging his personal experience to empower other patients. He was honored with the Senator William and Ellen Proxmire Award alongside Dr. Sanjay Gupta in 2016 for his leadership and impact on public awareness regarding Alzheimer’s. The Florida State University College of Medicine established the Alexander “Sandy” Halperin, DDS Alzheimer’s Research Fund in his name in July 2013, further cementing his legacy as a dedicated advocate for dementia cure, care, and support research.