After caring for my own mother and seeing the overlooked risks of seizures in dementia, I dedicated myself to building the research-based, practical solutions families and care teams urgently need.
– Russ Barker, MHA, DHSc Candidate
Founder, Seagull Health
About the Founder
My name is Russ Barker. I hold a Master’s in Health Administration (MHA) and am completing my Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degree, expected in May 2026. With 25 years of experience as a nursing home administrator, I have always been passionate about improving care for people living with dementia. This mission became intensely personal when I cared for my mother, Eileen, who had Alzheimer’s and developed seizures in the final years of her life.
Caring for her, especially during her mid-to-late stages, opened my eyes to the overlooked risks of seizures in dementia and the lack of practical tools to support families and care teams. Despite my long-term care experience, I found myself searching for answers that were difficult to find.
My commitment solidified during a day spent honoring my mother’s memory at her favorite place, Carmel Beach. There, I met an artist painting the coastline my mother cherished. I shared her story, and the artist titled the painting “Eileen’s View.” That painting now hangs in my office as a reminder of her spirit and the importance of improving care. A persistent seagull that day became the inspiration for my company’s name, Seagull Health.
Drawing on both professional experience and personal caregiving, I founded Seagull Health to help close the seizure care gap in dementia. My focus is on developing SeizureSafe™, a risk management ecosystem that delivers the tools, knowledge, and support I wish had been available to my family and my mother’s caregivers.
My focus is on leveraging research and collaboration to reduce seizure risks, enhance quality of care, and drive innovation in dementia care.
Key Areas of Expertise
- Developing Practical Tools: Translating 25 years of LTC experience and research into actionable training and risk assessment tools
- Empowering Caregivers: Providing clear response guidance and documentation strategies to build staff confidence
- Driving Evidence into Practice: Leading the ongoing research and development behind SeizureSafe™, including our 2025 pilot program
My goal with Seagull Health is to ensure no family or care team faces the uncertainty I experienced when navigating dementia-related seizures. I am committed to providing practical, reliable resources and to partnering with organizations dedicated to improving resident care.
Connect Further
Explore SeizureSafe™ Ecosystem
