What if a simple blood test could help detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier, and new treatments could actually slow its progression?
That was the hopeful message Dr. Hamid Okhravi shared with the Rotary Club of Norfolk. As Director of the Shirley & Richard Roberts Comprehensive Memory Care Center and a nationally recognized expert in Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders, his research focuses on clinical therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease and novel treatments for neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with dementia. Dr. Okhravi offered members encouraging look at the rapidly evolving landscape of Alzeheimer's diagnosis and treatment.
One of the most promising advances is the development of blood-based biomarkers that can identify proteins associated with Alzheimer’s pathology. With reported accuracy exceeding 90%, these tests could make early detection more accessible and far less invasive than traditional PET scans or spinal-fluid testing.
Dr. Okhravi also described a major shift in treatment. New disease-modifying therapies, including lecanemab and donanemab, are moving Alzheimer’s care beyond simply managing symptoms to slowing the disease itself.
And the future may hold even more promise. Because Alzheimer’s-related changes can begin years before symptoms appear, Dr. Okhravi emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, prevention and clinical research, including emerging therapies that target both amyloid and tau.
For Rotary members, the takeaway was clear: while Alzheimer’s remains a formidable challenge, science is opening new doors and offering new reasons for hope.
The Meeting
Winston Whitehurst provided a lovely opening invocation and Bob Heely brought the house down with some Jimmy Buffet inspired musicThe following Rotarians introduced guests: - ROTARYAVILLE!
We welcomed our guests…
New park ranger…
Margaret Allen, former Rotarian
Colleen Bema, Harbor's Edge CEO
Want to bring a guest?
If you know someone who may be interested in Rotary, please invite them to join us and learn more about our club. Members bringing a guest should RSVP in advance to Karen Grinnan at rotaryclubofnorfolk@gmail.com so we can reserve a seat for your guest.
If someone is attending primarily to hear the speaker and does not have an interest in joining Rotary, we ask that they cover the $30 cost of lunch.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Chris Hogge
Financial advisor Chris Hogge is among Rotary Club of Norfolk ‘s most local members. He was born in Norfolk, grew up in the Lafayette Shores neighborhood, attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from Maury High School. At Maury he played basketball, football and soccer.
Chris did spend four years away in Blacksburg attending Virginia Tech and interned one summer in Richmond. But in 2024, after graduating from Tech with a degree in corporate finance, he returned home to Norfolk to start his career with Equitable. Chris lives in the Wards Corner area and works in Equitable’s office in the PNC Bank Building on Main Street. This is his third year as a licensed financial advisor.
Believing in the importance of giving back to his community, Chris joined two service clubs -- the Rotary Club of Norfolk and the Norfolk Kiwanis Club. In the Rotary Club, he serves on the chaplain and program committees. He likes learning new information from speakers and finding new ways to get involved helping people.
Chris is a member of Junior Achievement of Great Hampton Roads’ young professionals board. He is advocating to bring this entrepreneurship and financial program to Norfolk public high schools. In November he will return to coach seventh graders at St. Patrick’s where he once played basketball.
“I wanted to hit the ground running and get involved,” Chris says of his community service. He believes “life is all about balance.”
In his free time, Chris likes playing basketball, lifting weights and doing yoga at a Norfolk Y. On weekends you will find him cheering for the Washington Commanders and Virginia Tech’s Hokies.
Be sure to introduce yourself to Chris next time you see him.
