11/11/2025
Congratulations to our very own Melanie Titzel, this month’s Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania Dementia Friends Champion of the Month!
We’re excited to share the Dementia Friends Champion of the Month for November 2025 is Melanie Titzel! We’re so grateful for Melanie’s time, energy, and commitment to creating more dementia friendly spaces in her community.
Get to know Melanie in the Q&A below:
Q: Tell us a little about yourself!
A: I live in Erie, Pennsylvania where I am the Engagement Officer for the Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM Institute for Successful Living). I serve as our GUIDE Program Care Navigator, offer Dementia Friends Information Sessions as a Champion, offer Virtual Dementia tours, and facilitate the Volunteer Program.
I also am an Adjunct Faculty Member at Mercyhurst University in their Master of Organizational Leadership Program. I particularly enjoy teaching Strategic Management and Emotional Intelligence.
Q: Why did you decide to become a Dementia Friends Champion?
A: I decided to become a Dementia Friends Champion because I believe that delivering the content of our Information Sessions will improve life for individuals living with dementia and their care partners.
Q: What do you wish more people knew about dementia?
A: I wish more people knew the Five Key Messages.
Q: What are two fun facts about you?
A: I am a certified tap, ballet, and jazz teacher through Dance Masters of America and have taught dance for over 25 years. My students range from three-year-olds to adults in their 70s. Currently, I am learning ballroom dance.
I also have two 3-year-old Golden Doodles, named Demi and Dolce, who are certified therapy dogs through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. I use vacation time to visit Dementia Communities.