Clockwise from top left: Janae Cotton, Taylor Hardy, Danielle Walker, and Nia Russell
Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Nursing pre-nursing student Danielle Walker has been named the 2021 Brain Busters Champion.
Walker of Fort Lauderdale was one of four FAMU pre-nursing students who competed in the Collegiate Brain Busters Alzheimer’s Collaboration Tournament on April 29 hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Participating in this competition shed a light on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and allowed me to become more aware of what it is in all its aspects,” said Walker. “It really encouraged me to take better care of myself and others around me.”
All four participating FAMU pre-nursing students placed in the top five of the competition. Nia Russell of Pensacola placed second; Taylor Hardy of Tampa placed third, and Janae Cotton of Tallahassee placed fourth. Students were advised by Kallie M. Donaldson, program assistant in the School of Nursing.
The tournament, which is expected to become an annual event, brings awareness of Alzheimer’s and all other dementia to college students across Florida. It is funded in partnership with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Three Florida chapters serve all 67 counties with education and support as well as raising funds for research. The organization’s mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.