Sr. Mercedes McCann, RSM, PhD, is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.  She holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Seton Hall University, a master’s degree in psychology from Marywood University, and a Religious Studies degree with a concentration in Sacred Scripture from St. Charles Seminary. She currently manages Leadership Relations in the Consultation, Education, and Outreach Department for the Saint John Vianney Center. Sr. Mercedes has extensive experience facilitating small and large groups for religious communities, including Chapters and Assemblies. She frequently speaks to groups of religious in the United States, Latin America, Europe and the Pacific Rim on topics such as boundaries, change and transition, emotional development, and the spirituality of aging. Her particular interest is the intersection of spirituality, ministry, community, and good mental health in religious life.

Alfred is an expert in physiological psychology who has worked with the Avila Institute for the last 15 years, developing and presenting workshops and in-services on a number of topics associated with aging. He has years of experience working as a consultant for long-term care systems and facilities and trained staff in the use of non-pharmaceutical, individualized care plans for residents with moderate to severe dementia. 

Ed is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in two states, with more than 40 years of both clinical and administrative experience in healthcare. He holds a BS in Health Care Administration from Excelsior College, a PGDip in Dementia Studies from the University of Bradford, and an MA of Theology from Saint Leo University. Additionally, Ed is an ordained permanent deacon in the Catholic Church and is assigned to Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Dr. Sasha Speer, DPT is a physical therapist and an artist. She has worked with patients ages 18-106 around the country since 2008, treating a variety of diagnosis from spinal cord injuries to pneumonia and back pain. In her experiences, she found that her love of the human body and her love of art created a more positive, uplifting, healing experience for her patients. She is bringing both gifts together with her Dr. Sasha brand to uplift, inspire, and heal.

 Dr. Sasha gained a more profound understanding of the power of the human mind in relation to healing beginning in 2012, when her own body failed her after the passing of her father. She found herself as an expert of the human body in a world of medicine, lacking the answers she needed to heal. After seeking advice from physicians, surgeons, therapists, and other practitioners, she realized her answer was not within the traditional medical practices. Desperate to heal her body, Dr. Sasha delved into reading book after book, and bit by bit she was not only able to finally heal herself but she found she was having a more profound impact on the patients she treated. She now incorporates mindset practices in her healing as she feels it is the most critical factor to healing and feeling whole.

Dr. Sasha has brought these practices into two programs: Strong & Steady, addressing the needs of the frail elderly, which was co-created with help from the Sisters and Staff at the Carondelet Center in Los Angeles; and YOUNGER, a daily mindset and exercise program geared at preventing many of the signs and symptoms of aging.