Reminder: ARA Luncheon – Friday, Sept 20th
You can still RSVP for this interesting talk on Alzheimer’s until September 13th. “Lunch in the Lobby” has limited seating so we’re handling reservations on a first-come basis for lunch.
Our ARA luncheon will take place Friday, September 20th in the Schollmaier Auditorium. Our speaker will be Sid O’Bryant, Ph.D., Executive Director, Institute for Translational Research, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX. Dr. O’Bryant will speak to us about the first-ever, large scale ongoing clinical study of the biology of Alzheimer’s Disease within a health disparities framework that he is leading. Come join us to hear about this interesting study.
You can also watch live on Webex. Those who sign up to attend via Webex will be sent the Webex instructions in a separate email.
Background
Dr. Sid O’Bryant is the principal investigator of the Health & Aging Brain Study – Health Disparities (HABS-HD), which is the most comprehensive study of Alzheimer’s disease among the three largest racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. ever conducted – African Americans, Hispanics, non-Hispanic whites. The goal of the HABS-HD program is to understand the life course factors, including biological, sociocultural, environmental, and behavioral, that impact risk for Alzheimer’s disease in late life. This work will ultimately lead to population-specific precision medicine approaches to treating and preventing Alzheimer’s disease (i.e., “treating your Alzheimer’s disease”). In addition to being a global leader in health disparities in cognitive aging, Dr. O’Bryant is a global expert in the use of blood-based biomarkers for the generation of a precision medicine approach to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer’s disease among adults with Down Syndrome.
Lunch
We will have “Lunch in the Lobby” of the Schollmaier Auditorium. Go directly there when you arrive. No need to go to the old cafeteria. We have an interesting menu which we hope you will enjoy.
Parking
Parking spaces will be reserved with orange cones as usual across from Tower A. Golf carts will be available to take those who need assistance to the Schollmaier and back to the parking lot after the program.
Agenda
Please note that we will start 30 minutes earlier than usual.
11:00 Sign in for members and guests
11:30 Buffet opens
12:20 Program – Welcome and Introductions – Pat Cappelletti, President, ARA
12:30 Featured speaker – Dr. Sid O’Bryant will present “Health & Aging Brain Study – Health Disparities (HABS-HD)”
1:30 Announcements
2:00 Luncheon ends
When making your reservation, please specify if you will join us for the luncheon or if you prefer to attend remotely by Webex.
Email us at ARA-RSVP@alcon-ara.com to make your reservation, no later than September 13th.
If you are bringing a guest, include their name when you RSVP and if they will ride with you.
As usual for our quarterly luncheons, there is no charge for members and $10 for guests. If you haven’t paid your $10 dues for 2024, you can do so when you sign in or send your check to:
Alcon Retirees Association
P.O. Box 173416
Arlington, TX 76003-3416
Alcon Retirees Association – Update
History
In 1995, Frank Buhler founded the ARA and was our first president. Andrew Lubrano followed as our second president in 2002. Brad Kling accepted the torch from Andrew in 2009 and passed it to Pat Cappelletti in 2019. She is the current president.
Purpose
The ARA is a volunteer organization for those who have qualified for retirement from Alcon. Each year, Alcon graciously hosts us on the Alcon campus for three quarterly luncheons (usually March, June, September) and our Holiday “Lupper” in December. The purpose of our luncheons is to provide an opportunity for our members to reconnect with old friends and colleagues while enjoying lunch and a presentation.
Expectations for Members
The ARA is committed to continuing a positive and congenial environment at our luncheons and behavioral expectations have been established for all members. These expectations include appropriate, respectful, courteous and professional interaction with all others. As guests on the Alcon campus, it is important to remember that we should be compliant with Alcon’s policies on conduct – physical or verbal harassment or mistreatment in any form is unacceptable. You can find Alcon’s guidance regarding appropriate conduct here – https://integrity.alcon.com/building-trust-workplace
Eligibility for Membership
Officially retired from Alcon.
Commitment to the Alcon Retiree’s Association purpose and expectations.
Termination of Membership
Membership can be suspended for non-compliance with the stated ARA Expectations.
Alcon Company Picnic Announcement
Alcon has secured special rates exclusively for our retirees that include free parking, a meal and a snack in the package.
The Alcon Company Picnic is back this year at Six Flags Over Texas (our last picnic at Six Flags) on September 6th from 6:00 – 11:00 PM.
Tickets will be available for Alcon Retirees at a discounted rate of $55.99 + tax ($60.61 total). Tickets will include free parking and a Mega Meal Deal voucher.
Login to the Member area, select News to access the Six Flags Flyer with ordering information.
Spring 2024 In HindSight
Please enjoy the Spring 2024 In HindSight Newsletter. The newsletter has information from our April luncheon.
We are looking forward to our remaining 2024 luncheons. They will take place on June 7th, September 20th, and our Annual Holiday “Lupper” on December 6th. All our luncheons and the Lupper are now on Fridays, due to parking availability.
To view the In HindSight Newsletter from the website, login and choose the Newsletter box, on the right-hand side.
ARA 2024 Luncheon Dates
Please join us for our remaining 2024 programs, at the Alcon Campus, on Fridays: June 7th, September 20th and December 6th (the Annual Holiday Lupper).
In HindSight – In Memoriam Ed Schollmaier
The passing of Ed Schollmaier was felt by the communities he served, especially Alcon, TCU, the Fort Worth Opera, and the city of Fort Worth. Many of our current members started their careers at Alcon when Ed was the CEO and have many memories of his leadership, his kindness, and his stories. We created this special edition of In Hindsight to honor his service to our varied communities and to remember the impact he had on so many of us retired Alcon employees.
The In HindSight Newsletter has been published in memoriam to Ed Schollmaier. After you log in, Go to Newsletter.
ARA Website Information
To access the ARA Members section, you will need an email address and password. Please use your email address that you have previously provided for the ARA roster and the initial password is your respective zip code. Once logged-in, you will have the opportunity to change the password.
We welcome your feedback. Send us an email — if you click Contact at the upper right of the home page, our respective email addresses can be found.
[Important: We have a large number of ARA members for whom we do not have an email address. Thus, if you are unable to sign-in to the member section as instructed above, this mostly likely means we need your email address to record in the database before you can access this section of the website. In this case, please send your name and email address to Pat Cappelletti at ‘pcappelletti@alcon-ara.com’. Many thanks!]
New Alcon retirees ready to join ARA – please proceed to click on the link “Sign Up Today” and fill-in the requested information. Your registration will be reviewed and acknowledged shortly.
