Welcome to Brain Help and Hope
Brain Help and Hope (BHH) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Dr. Patty Quinlisk and Mary Kelly formed in the summer of 2024 with a vision to provide older Iowans with the knowledge and support they need for healthy aging. The organization’s signature program, KEYS to Dementia Prevention (KEYS), was originally developed in 2017 as Save Your Brain (SYB), with its pilot class launching in January 2019. KEYS expanded to its current model in 2022 and continues under the leadership of its original developers and consultants. While previously administered by two community-based organizations, KEYS is now managed by BHH, ensuring the program’s continued growth and accessibility.
In addition to KEYS, BHH offers a range of dementia prevention and healthy aging programs, targeting both older adults with mild cognitive symptoms and those without. These programs include physical fitness initiatives, simplified healthy eating strategies, and oral health education, all designed to support overall well-being.
Brain Help and Hope’s leadership remains actively engaged working alongside experts and community organizations to advance dementia prevention efforts statewide. Our leadership team also contributes to statewide initiatives, including Iowa’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Stakeholder Group through the Iowa HHS/CDC BOLD Program.
A nonprofit focused on Brain and Body Health Programs
Mary Kelly
KEYS Program Director Co-Founder Brain Help and Hope
Mary Kelly is a co-founder of Brain Help and Hope and serves as the Program Director.
She has been involved with the KEYS to Dementia Prevention Program from nearly the beginning of 2019. She focuses on prevention through her roles in public health and research through her roles as a dental hygienist and certified dementia practitioner.
Mary’s passion for educating both professionals and the community ensures that the latest research and practices in brain, body and oral health ensuring widespread knowledge on aging healthy.
Mary holds a master’s in dental public health from University of Iowa’s College of
Dentistry and is a recipient of several national awards for her service and research.
Patricia Quinlisk, MPH, MD
KEYS Medical Director Co-Founder Brain Help and Hope
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Caleb Hegna
Board President, Brain Help and Hope Senior Director of Development Des Moines Art Center
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Yogesh Shah, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Board Member, Brain Help and Hope Medical Director Broadlawns Memory Center
Dr. Yogi Shah is board-certified in family medicine and geriatric medicine. He did his Geriatric Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic with a special focus on the early detection of dementia. He also holds a Master in Public Health (MPH) from Des Moines University and was 2021 College of Health Sciences Alumni of the Year.
He was the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Vice President (VP) of Medical Affairs for Broadlawns Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023). Before joining the medical staff at Broadlawns, he served as the Founding Associate Dean of Global Health at Des Moines University.
He serves as the Medical Director for GUIDE by CMS, Site PI for the University of Iowa GWEP, and Board Member of the Iowa Alzheimer’s Association chapter.
He has given talks on Early detection and prevention of dementia at national, and international levels. His current focus is on early detection, especially in minority populations through biomarkers, and improved brain health for all.
Paula J Feltner
Board Secretary, Brain Help and Hope Attorney at Law, ret.
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