Join us for this year’s conference!

Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Dementia Hope Conference exists to give you hope, support, and practical tools to navigate the challenges and joys of caregiving. Whether you are seeking advice, a deeper understanding of dementia care, or connections with others who share your experiences, this event is for you!

Register today to find hope and support through your care journey at the Dementia Hope Conference 2026! 

Keynote Speakers

Matthew Sharpe

Matthew Sharpe is a stand-up comedian, psychotherapist, author, and educator who blends psychological insight with humor to help people thrive. With over two decades of experience in both mental health and comedy, Matthew creates unforgettable experiences that foster emotional resilience, connection, and well-being. Whether on stage or in a workshop, he speaks to the heart with authenticity and a sharp comedic edge. Matthew holds two master’s degrees and has served as a college psychology instructor, a practicing psychotherapist, and a seasoned performer. He is also the author of From My Throne to His: An Irreverently, Reverent Devotional About the Funny, Awkward, and Uncomfortable Parts of Scripture—a book that mirrors his unique blend of candor, curiosity, and comedy. His work has helped countless individuals and organizations rethink the way they approach personal resilience, organizational culture, and mental health. Through his core programs—Under Pressure, Defy and Deliver, and Laugh Therapy—Matthew empowers audiences to reduce burnout, build resilience, and laugh their way toward psychological safety. Known for his warm presence and engaging style, he has a gift for turning tension into connection and offering practical tools through laughter. Whether you’re a frontline worker or a corporate team, Matthew brings the kind of perspective that sticks with you long after the punchline.

Linda S. Mintle, PhD

Dr. Linda Mintle has been actively involved in medical education since the 1980s, beginning her academic career in the Department of Psychiatry at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). There, she directed the Eastern Virginia Family Therapy Clinic and played a key role in developing the school’s eating disorders unit. Her academic contributions also include research and clinical work at the Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida and teaching positions in PsyD programs at Regent University and Wheaton College.

Dr. Mintle later rejoined EVMS, this time in the Department of Clinical Pediatrics, where she contributed to community efforts addressing childhood obesity—an extension of her clinical focus on eating disorders and obesity. Currently, as a founding chair at LUCOM, Dr. Mintle remains actively engaged in teaching, research, student advising and mentoring.

A nationally recognized mental health expert, Dr. Mintle is the author of 20 books on mental health and interpersonal relationships. She serves as a media consultant, speaks at national conferences, hosts a national radio podcast, and writes weekly  national blogs on mental health . Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling and sports.

Charles R. Joseph, MD

Dr. Joseph attended Temple University medical school in Philadelphia, followed by two years of internal medicine residency and three years of Neurology residency both at the University of Virginia. He practiced general neurology, neurophysiology, and neuroimaging with Neurology Associates of Lynchburg for 32 years before joining the faculty at LUCOM.

At LUCOM, his primary efforts are teaching Neurology, Nephrology, and physical diagnosis in addition to caring for patients in the Free Clinic. Clinical research interests include validation of physical exam techniques, developing a better approach to chronic pain management utilizing less reliance on pharmacologic measures, and early clinical aspects of neurodegenerative disease presentations.

Sponsors