Welcome to the Caregiver Storyteller Podcast

Anne Kenny, MD, author of Making Tough Decisions about End-of-Life Care in Dementia, is a Professor of Medicine with specialty training and board certification in Geriatric Medicine, and Palliative and Hospice care. She has been a practicing physician for over 30 years and has been recognized by her peers as a “Top Doc” in Geriatric Medicine. She has been honored with a Brookdale National Fellow and the prestigious Paul Beeson Physician Faculty Scholar awards. Dr. Kenny has worked clinically as a geriatrician in nursing homes, assisted living, rehabilitation and clinical outpatient settings. Dr. Kenny has found joy in her work with individuals and their families managing issues related to the diagnosis of dementia. Her experience in partnering in the care of these families touched close to home when her own mother was diagnosed with dementia. Dr. Kenny joined with her mother and her brothers and sister to provide the best care for her mother during the early and middle years following her mother’s diagnosis. Her expertise, coupled with her mother’s playful spirit and her sibling’s openness, support, intelligence and compassion, allowed for the highest functioning and independence of her mother for several years. Dr. Kenny’s expertise and experience in inpatient and outpatient Palliative and Hospice care were called on when her mother reached the final stages of living with dementia. The Kenny family worked together for their mother’s graceful exit from this planet.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Kenny lectures to both healthcare professionals and the public on aging related issues including navigating dementia, exercise, nutrition, hormone therapy, death and dying, and frailty. She is an educator of medicine and research skills. She has over 100 scientific publications and presentations focused on improving the care and functioning of older adults.

Dr. Kenny is the author of Making Tough Decisions about End-of-Life Care in Dementia , published by Johns Hopkins University Press in September 2018. The book outlines care and communication issues at end of-life in dementia. In addition, she hosts a blog focusing on issues common to Alzheimer’s and related dementias and caregiving.

Perla’s story begins in Hidalgo, TX, born and raised by immigrant parents. Their lessons of hard work and dedication were ingrained in her from a very young age, leading her to start her first company at age 21.

Today, Perla is a visionary serial entrepreneur and licensed speech therapist. After creating 19 companies in 11 industries, she has generated over nine digits of revenue through her businesses. Perla combines her passion for business and philanthropy in her pediatric clinics and advocacy for children’s rights and health policies. In 2020 she joined forces to activate local leaders across the U.S. who impacted over 400,000 families and distributed over $7 Million in household products.

Over the past decade, Perla has dedicated her life to inspiring others to unleash their true potential. Perla Tamez has always had a heart for entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Her desire to help others has been the energy behind her newest start-up, one of which is a non-profit, Love Soldiers Foundation, to help non-profits be efficient in their operations and be of most impact with their funds.

The second mission, Latina Empire, is a business model focused on continuously assisting women to reach new heights through her proprietary method: heart, mind, and money. The main focus is on accountability and community, with a culture that gives back to society to create sustainable change within their communities.

Perla is considered by her peers and loved ones as an enigma, one who inspires through leading her life with a humble heart, approachable existence, passion for community, and a commitment to share her circle of influence to help others rise.