Thomas University will be the destination for the 13th annual meeting of the Georgia Psychological Society 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21, in Smith-Bonvillian Hall on TU’s Forbes Campus. Society members and psychology students from across the state will attend.
 
This year’s conference theme is “Rural psychology and health with an emphasis on applied psychology and the aging processes.”
 
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Mridul Mazumder, who will present “Overview of Dementia: Principles Adaptable to Health Psychology.” He will focus on areas such as neuroanatomy, pathology, genetics, medications and funding for research.
 
Dr. Mazumder received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine in 2004. He specializes in Geriatric Psychiatry and is the Clerkship Director in Geriatrics for the Florida State University College of Medicine.  Dr. Mazumder is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and is also affiliated with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.
 
Other speakers will present on various topics related to the theme.
 
Dr. Don Rapp, a professor emeritus at Florida State University, will present “The neurology of balance and exercise and aging.” He is author of the book “On Balance: Master of Balance for Life,” which capsulizes his unique neurological approach to balance enhancement. Rapp is a certified personal trainer. Since 2001 he has worked at Premier Health and Fitness Center specializing in fall prevention and balance.
 
Deborah Burch, a faculty member in the Division of Nursing at Thomas University, will present “Do you see what I see? The value of informant interviews following a maternal death.”
 
Dr. Jodi Yambor is a Professor of Sports Psychology at Thomas University. She will present “Sports psychology skills for sports and life.”
 
Dr. Kacy Mixon is an Assistant Professor of Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy at Valdosta State University. She will present “Moral Injury and Psychological Healing.”
 
In addition to speakers’ presentations, the conference will also include poster presentations by professional and student researchers.