Jim Barber,
CDP, CMDCP
Jim Barber, B.S.Ed., is an early memory loss (EML) program instructor and one of the directors and content creators at Sage Brain Academy. Jim enthusiastically interacts with seniors and relishes hearing inspirational and sage stories about their lives.
He appreciates and enjoys teaching Sage Brain Academy’s Montessori-based programming that focuses on his students’ abilities, not their limitations.
Recently Jim worked at the St Johns County Council on Aging as a facilitator in the Integrative Memory Enhancement Program (IMEP), where he taught strategies to maintain healthy brain function.
In 2019 he published a social and emotional learning (SEL) novel for children titled Cecil’s Magnifico Adventure that taught students compassion, goal setting, and self-respect.
Jim was co-founder and creative force behind the Ooka Island Reading Adventure, an online program that teaches children how to read. He also has experience as a high school Physical Education and Health teacher, and varsity basketball coach where his teams won 5 state championships.
Residing in St. Augustine, FL, Jim enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music, and riding his motorcycle down A1A.
Ginny Bullard,
CDP, CMDCP
Ginny holds a BA in English Literature and has a background in the arts. A St. Augustine, FL resident since 1989, she previously owned and operated several retail stores and art galleries in the downtown areas of St. Augustine, FL and Charleston, SC. She has worked with seniors in St Johns County for the past five years, specializing in memory enhancement programming for people with mild cognitive decline, facilitating group learning, and coaching one-on-one in private sessions. Ginny has worked for the SJ County Council on Aging as a group leader in Memory Enhancement classes, and as lead editor and content creator for the Integrative Memory Enhancement Program (IMEP).
She currently is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP), a program instructor, content creator and a Director of Sage Brain Academy. Ginny is passionate about helping those with early memory loss and is devoted to providing individuals with the appropriate cognitive information / education, encouragement, and emotional support they deserve. She also is a big fan of gardening, animals and corny jokes.
Margalo Eden,
MPH, MA, CMDCP, SHSS
Margalo is a health science writer, editor, educator, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner, Senior Home Safety Specialist, and former Director of Memory Care at an assisted living facility. She has graduate degrees in English Literature and Public Health, and has been involved in senior health and safety for more than 20 years, working as a health science writer, editor, and researcher; memory enhancement content creator and facilitator; and grief counselor. She has also served as a hospice and crisis intervention volunteer. ​​
Margalo owns M. A. Eden Health Communications, which focuses on making up-to-date scientific information and resources accessible to all.
In addition to advocating for older adults, Margalo also advocates for gender equality, racial justice, LGBTQIA2S+ rights, animal welfare, and sustainable living. She loves reading, journaling, crocheting, and hiking, and is a devoted cat valet.
Cindy Flowers,
MS, CMC, CTRS, BCPA
As Owner of PALM Aging Life Management, Cindy Flowers brings more than 30 years of experience to the field of aging and disability. She provides direct Aging Life Care™ management services, and supervises Care Managers in her company to ensure the highest standards of care are upheld. Prior to owning her own Aging Life Care company, Cindy was the Administrator and Care Manager for 14 years of a home care company offering Geriatric Care Management Services. Prior to that she was the Executive Director of an Assisted Living and Memory Care facility within a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).
Throughout her professional career in healthcare, Cindy has held many leadership positions which required a high level of knowledge regarding the challenges of cognitive loss and the impact on caregivers.
Cindy received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington and her Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. She is certified to provide care management by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers. She also is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Cindy has served on the Executive Board of Directors for the Florida Chapter of the Aging Life Care Association™. In addition to her professional roles Cindy is a long-time volunteer and former Board Member of the Alzheimer’s Association of North-Central Florida.
Dr. Tomislav Zeljko, MD
Dr. Zeljko is a hospitalist with Sound Physicians working in Flagler Hospital, Saint Augustine. He has
worked as a hospitalist for over 15 years, and he has been at Flagler Hospital since 2015. Dr. Zeljko is
originally from Zagreb, Croatia where he earned his medical degree. He served in the Croatian Army as a
medic and later interned as a physician with a de-mining company in northern Croatia. He completed his
residency in the United States through Temple University in Philadelphia. Dr. Zeljko is board certified as
a family physician and is a board-certified Obesity Medicine specialist. He has been an avid guitarist for
the past 35 years and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and biking to the beach.
Michele Sanchez,
LPN, CDP, CMDCP
Michele has worked in the field of memory enhancement and brain fitness for more than 25 years.
For 18 years, she managed a large Adult Day Care in South Florida, facilitated a caregivers’ support group, and trained all direct care staff using the National Council on Aging’s
Adult Day Care curriculum.
During that time, she also began to research and develop programming to enhance brain function, cognition, and memory. She incorporated various activities that included pet therapy, music therapy, and reminiscence groups.
In 2010, Michele and her husband moved to St. Augustine where she began working at the Saint Johns County Council on Aging.
While there, she created, developed, and managed the Integrative Memory Enhancement Program (IMEP), a research-based program that utilizes cognitive and physical exercises that support brain and body health. Under her leadership, the IMEP was implemented in various locations throughout St. Johns County, and eventually expanded to other areas of Florida.
During the pandemic, she created virtual options for IMEP, transitioning to Zoom group classes, individual coaching sessions, and the IMEP at HOME program which was delivered to participants via a weekly email. She joined Sage Brain Academy in 2022.
Michele is a licensed practical nurse a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Montessori Dementia Practitioner. She is currently pursuing her certification as a Brain Longevity Specialist through the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation. Michele is an enthusiastic reader of all book genres, especially the classics. She maintains a daily yoga practice, is a Level II Healing Touch practitioner through the Holistic Nurse Association, and is a Reiki practitioner. She is a lover of all animals and enjoys a healthy vegan lifestyle.