Dr. Potts speaks at the University of Florida

Daniel C. Potts, M.D. spoke at the University of Florida Department of Neurology’s “Leadership in Neurology” series for Grand Rounds on August 7, 2012.  His topic was “Art and Alzheimer’s” Dipping into the Self.”  The talk highlighted the life story and watercolor art of his father, Lester E. Potts, Jr., and other famous Alzheimer’s artists such as William Utermohlen, Carolus Horn and Willem deKooning.  In  the talk Potts touted the expressive arts therapies as a means to access the self, and to give expression to Alzheimer’s patients who have otherwise lost expressive language abilities.  These therapies are emphasized as an essential component of person-centered care, which validates the person with dementia in their present state, and promotes dignity and quality of life.  There was discussion at the end of the talk, led by Dr. Ken Heilman (Chairman of the Department of Neurology and legendary behavioral neurologist) on the neurology of artistic expression, and the significance of abstract expression in the late artistic works of Lester Potts.