Fayron Epps, PhD, RN, is a nurse with over 20 years of experience creating culturally relevant programs to reduce health disparities for underserved populations. She is an Associate Professor and the Director of Community and Research Engagement in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Southern Gerontological Society, and Gerontological Society of America. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Southern Gerontological Society and Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter. She also serves on the Leadership Core of the Public Health Center of Excellence in Dementia Caregiving at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Epps’s research involves evidence-based practices for promoting quality of life for African Americans with dementia and their family caregivers and exploring how religious activities and spiritual connectedness can promote meaningful engagement among persons with dementia. Dr. Epps is the Founder of Alter (Dementia), the only nurse-led, dementia-friendly congregation program, and she oversees several psychoeducational and faith-based research projects, such as “Dementia-Friendly Online Worship” and “Caregiving while Black.” She is a 2022 recipient of the Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Award from the Family Caregiver Alliance. Dr. Epps’s goal is to place culturally tailored, evidence-based programs and interventions in the hands of those who need them.