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Advisors

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge that the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team’s Rural Advisor, Dr. Jim Boulger, passed away on Saturday January 14th, 2023, at the age of 81. Dr. Boulger’s legacy in helping to build a medical school curriculum that focused on the training of rural and Indigenous physicians will not be forgotten. After his retirement from the UMN Medical School, Duluth Campus, Jim lent his pragmatic wisdom, experience and expertise in rural health, medical education and research mentoring to the MK-MDT and to the development of the Center for Community Engaged Rural Dementia and Alzheimer’s Research. Above all, Jim was a gentle, kindhearted colleague who was always concerned for the welfare of others. Many in the Memory Keepers family were very close to Jim and all of us have been touched by him in some way. His presence in this world and with our team will be missed.

In Memoriam of Jim Boulger, PHD

Rural Advisor

Rick J. Smith, M.Ed, is the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team Elder in Residence. Elder Smith is a teacher and knowledge keeper who provides guidance, insight, and spiritual understandings to faculty, staff, and students of the MK-MDT. He is currently providing guidance on the formation of an Indigenous Advisory Committee for MK-MDT. Rick has been the Director of the American Indian Learning Resource Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth for over 30 years. He is a citizen of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. He has a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Education degrees from the University of Minnesota. In addition, he has served as an Independent Consultant for the Blandin Foundation for 17 years, as a Cultural Liaison for the Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program. He has been involved with Indian Education for over 35 years, regionally and nationally. *Photo courtesy of Zulema Rosendahl. “Class has little to do with birth, wealth, or a formal education, class has to do with how you treat people.” John G. Murray

Rick Smith, MEd

Elder in Residence

Shawn McMahon is a family physician with over 30 years of serving rural community health needs. His practice included ambulatory care, hospital-based care, and long-term care with special interest in long term care and prehospital/ emergency medicine. As a Rural Advisor, Shawn collaborates with the Memory Keeper team, providing guidance and medical knowledge to support the research on dementia and Alzheimer’s-related diseases.

Shawn McMahon, MD

Rural Advisor

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