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SearchBoard-certified preventive medicine physician to address women’s midlife brain health needs
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Sandra Darling, D.O., MPH
Cleveland Clinic has appointed Sandra Darling, D.O., MPH, program director of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) Prevention and Research Center.
An accomplished physician and recognized leader in women’s brain health, Dr. Darling will lead the organization’s strategic vision and initiatives focused on Alzheimer’s disease prevention during midlife, when opportunities for risk reduction are greatest. Up to 45% of dementia cases worldwide may be preventable, according to the 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, which identified 14 modifiable risk factors across the lifespan, including several that emerge during midlife.
Dementia cases are expected to double by 2060. Women are disproportionately affected – not only do they account for nearly two‑thirds of Alzheimer’s disease cases, but they also make up approximately two‑thirds of caregivers for people living with dementia. Caregiving itself has been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) was established to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s disease on women and gaps in women‑focused research, education and prevention. Founded by award‑winning journalist and Alzheimer’s disease advocate Maria Shriver, Founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic and co-founder of the Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center, WAM has been a national leader in advancing awareness and accelerating prevention strategies focused on women’s brain health. In partnership with Cleveland Clinic and with the support of the Ruvo family, WAM helped launch the world’s first Alzheimer’s disease prevention center focused on women’s brain health, opening at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. The center integrates clinical care, education, and research to reduce Alzheimer’s risk during midlife – supported by philanthropy to strengthen prevention and advance research.
Dr. Darling will guide the continued growth of the WAM Prevention and Research Center, expanding clinical access for patients in Northeast Ohio while continuing to see patients at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. She was recently awarded a Cleveland Clinic Catalyst Grant in support of her work. The center offers patients a yearlong program that includes four medical visits beginning with a baseline evaluation and followed by regular check‑ins to assess cognitive health, lifestyle behaviors, and risk factors. Visits focus on translating clinical findings into practical guidance, with virtual and in‑person appointment options available.
An osteopathic physician who is board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine and Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Dr. Darling brings expertise in brain health, aging and women’s unique biological and lifestyle‑related risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Her work emphasizes proactive, evidence‑based strategies that address the changes women experience in midlife and how those factors influence long‑term cognitive health.
“Midlife represents a critical window of opportunity,” Dr. Darling said. “By understanding each woman’s unique risks and translating science into personalized action, we can help women take meaningful steps to protect their brain health over the long term.”
The WAM Prevention and Research Center translates scientific discovery into comprehensive, individualized care plans. As one of the first medical centers in the nation dedicated to reducing Alzheimer’s disease risk among women, the program integrates the latest Alzheimer’s research with each patient’s medical history, biological risk profile, lifestyle habits, mood, and memory. Individualized prevention plans focus on sustainable changes in areas such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress management, empowering women to take an informed, proactive approach to protecting their brain health.
As part of her new role, Dr. Darling will attend the Cleveland Clinic Global Women’s Health + Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Forum on May 7, where ticketed attendees can learn more about women’s brain health, midlife risk and Alzheimer’s disease prevention.
To learn more about the WAM Prevention and Research Center and Alzheimer’s disease risk reduction for women, visit clevelandclinic.org/wamprevention.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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