Edward G. Shaw, MD, MA  
Physician, Mental Health Counselor, Author, Speaker  
Plenary Speaker 

Edward G. Shaw, MD, MA, is dually trained as a physician and mental health counselor. He was the primary care partner for his late wife Rebecca, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2007 at age 53 and died in 2016 after a 9-year journey. Ed was a practicing academic radiation oncologist for 23 years, specializing in the treatment of adults and children with brain cancer. In 2010, inspired by Rebecca’s journey, his medical interest shifted to dementia diagnosis and treatment, and with his additional training in mental health counseling, he founded the Memory Counseling Program in 2011, part of the Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine and the Sticht Center on Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is the author of four books for dementia caregivers and medical and mental health professionals, including The Dementia Care Partner’s Workbook and with Dr. Gary Chapman, Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer’s Journey. 

Dr. Shaw has also co-authored two resources for support group leaders, “A Leader’s Manual for Dementia Care Partner Support Groups” and “A Support Group for People Living with Dementia: The Leader’s Manual.” Ed is also a speaker both locally and nationally for audiences of seniors, dementia caregivers, and healthcare professionals on a variety of topics including aging, dementia, and geriatric mental health. He is now semi-retired, works as a part-time counselor at New Salem Counseling, the counseling ministry of Calvary Church in Winston-Salem, and leads several local caregiver support groups.