"One of the most comforting things Amy does is listen. She dug deep to understand all of the complex issues we were struggling with and cared about our feelings, and kept us informed every step of the way."

You Deserve a Joyful and Connected Journey

I am a certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) with specialized expertise in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a singular mission: providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals and families navigating the complex and often overwhelming challenges of chronic and terminal illnesses. It is my pleasure to share my journey, my values, and the resources I have developed to support those in need.

A Journey Rooted in Compassion

My path to healthcare began with a deep fascination for the biological sciences, leading me to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Emory University in 1999. While my academic focus at Emory was on primates—studying under esteemed experts such as Frans de Waal and Michael Tomasello—I discovered an innate connection to the human experience. While at Emory, I spent a summer following chimpanzees in a forest in Uganda, where I observed the intricate relationship between local families and their environment. This experience solidified my love for an impactful, human-centered approach to science.

After owning a wedding photography studio for nearly a dozen years, I pursued my Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Chatham University, graduating in 2014. During my time in PA school, I had the immense privilege of completing a medical rotation in Cape Town, South Africa. My experience in a resource-limited healthcare setting opened my eyes to the importance of compassionate care. Observing the dedicated and empathetic approach used throughout their country's healthcare system inspired me toward relationship-based care.

Pioneering Dementia Care in Wyoming

After getting my feet wet in Urgent Care and spending several years working in a cardiology clinic, I transitioned to the specialty that would become my passion—palliative care. This specialty requires great compassion, a breadth of knowledge of both medicine and the human experience, and an open heart and mind to other people's experiences.

I soon recognized a significant gap in comprehensive dementia support for families facing the trials of this particularly challenging journey. Armed with a desire to help, I developed Wyoming's first comprehensive dementia care program at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. This program was born out of a commitment to enhance the quality of care for people in my community. While at CRMC, I cared for more than 450 families navigating dementia’s complexities, serving as a beacon of hope and a source of invaluable resources.

To create a holistic approach to dementia care, I focus not only on the medical aspects but also on the emotional, social, and environmental domains of a family's life. By integrating palliative care principles, I have been able to provide comprehensive family support that honors the dignity of every patient while equipping families with the information and guidance needed to make informed decisions. Each family’s experience is unique, and understanding their individual needs and preferences is foundational to the care I provide.

Medical Director of Cottonwood and Aspen Creeks Memory Care Facilities

I presently serve as the Medical Director of Cottonwood and Aspen Creeks Dementia Memory Care facilities in Wyoming and Illinois. It is my immense honor to join three incredible teams of clinical staff providing high-quality, personalized medical care to residents and families. My mission is to serve families on this journey in a way that marries supportive medical management with educational support to guide families in a way that reduces stress, increases understanding, and promotes well-being for everyone.

Writing and Advocacy: The Arc of Conversation

Recognizing that the medical system is deeply broken in ways that undermine patients and families when they need it the most, I set out to write the book I needed when I began working in palliative care. My textbook, The Arc of Conversation: A How-to Guide for Goals of Care Conversations, will be the first to teach the medical community about the disease journeys patients follow at the end of life, how to evaluate where a patient is in their journey using hospice criteria, and most importantly, how to guide patients and families through challenging conversations about medical wishes.

The Arc of Conversation: A How-to Guide for Goals of Care Conversations will be published by Springer Nature in early 2025. This book reflects my belief that effective communication is pivotal to quality healthcare and that patients and families cannot make informed decisions without an accurate assessment of their medical status. The Arc of Conversation is available for presale at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Education and Faculty Role

In addition to my clinical practice and advocacy work, I am honored to serve as a faculty member of ThriveAP, where I teach physician assistants and nurse practitioners about palliative and hospice care. I have previously served as the Geriatrics Rotation preceptor for the University of Wyoming Medical Residency Program. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experiences with the next generation of healthcare providers, emphasizing the importance of compassionate, whole-person care.

Media Recognition and Community Involvement

In 2024, I had the honor of being featured in the Wyoming PBS special, A State of Mind: The Caregivers. This episode focuses on the caregivers—the often unsung heroes in the healthcare journey. Caregivers provide invaluable support and love, yet they often face emotional and physical challenges themselves.

Healthcare Consulting Services

In addition to my work as a dementia care specialist, I offer healthcare consulting services to help organizations develop effective palliative, hospice, and dementia care-focused programs. I have a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by the aging population and their families, and I collaborate with healthcare providers, community organizations, and facilities to create tailored approaches that prioritize compassionate care.

My consulting services include program development, staff training, and strategic planning, all designed to empower organizations to implement high-quality care models. By merging my clinical experience with insights into best practices and innovative strategies, I strive to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families while also supporting healthcare teams in delivering exceptional care.

I'm here to help.

My husband and I met Amy Shaw during a very difficult time when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Amy's patience, knowledge of dementia, regular check-ins, and compassion were a blessing. She guided us through rough spots and tough decisions and always made herself available to help. It was a blessing to have Amy come to our house when it was difficult to get my husband to the doctor and into town. Amy’s professionalism showed through and in no way dimmed her compassion. She understands the issues caregivers face and always gave me as much care and concern as she gave my husband. When it came time to consider hospice care, Amy was very supportive and explained everything, including how his body would start giving out with cascading failures. Amy’s education and support helped me feel better prepared and not taken by surprise at each step of the way.

Brenda V.

★★★★★