Honoring Dr. Fayron Epps: A Legacy of Care and Community
For Dr. Fayron Epps, a commemorative bench in Piedmont Park represents more than a place to sit. It represents a place where her work can continue. Dr. Epps’ commemorative bench is a gift from the Benchmark for Science Project, led by nursing leader Denetra Hampton, honoring Dr. Epps’ decades of leadership in nursing, dementia care and caregiving. The Benchmark for Science Project partners with parks and recreation organizations to place storytelling benches that preserve the contributions of individuals who have made a lasting impact on their communities.
When Dr. Epps thinks about her bench, she is honored by the recognition, but more focused on the people who might use it, and how it can be a space where storytelling and much needed conversation about community health and care can take place. She hopes it can offer caregivers and visitors a place to pause, rest, and regain some energy before returning to the world around them.
This people-centered approach has defined Dr. Epps’ career. A nationally recognized nurse, scholar, and educator, she has spent more than two decades working to improve the lives of people living with dementia and the families who care for them. Her work includes Alter Dementia, a nurse-led program she founded in Atlanta that partners with faith communities to provide culturally informed dementia education and support.
The program has grown into a nationally recognized model and was recently featured in The New York Times. Throughout her career, Dr. Epps has emphasized the importance of bringing research into communities and recognizing the caregivers she calls “silent heroes.” At the center of that work is a commitment to families. As she puts it, “That’s why I do this. It’s for the families.”
That same focus on care, connection and community makes Piedmont Park a meaningful place for Dr. Epps’ story to live on. She describes the Park as a “home for well-being” in the city and points to the connection between access to green space and health. “What comes along with green space is… improved health outcomes,” she says.
For someone whose work has centered on dementia, community and caregiving, Piedmont Park offers a meaningful setting for those ideas to come together. Memory is at the heart of dementia care, and the Park is a place where memories are made, traditions take root, and people return to familiar paths and gathering places year after year. Its green space can offer moments of healing and respite, while creating opportunities for connection with family, friends and the broader community. With a plaque highlighting Dr. Epps’ work in dementia care, she hopes the bench will become part of those moments and spark conversations about caregiving, memory, health and the importance of caring for one another.
