New Neuropsychology Clinic Expands Access to Specialized Care in East Texas
October 9, 2026 | Elizabeth Wingfield
The University of Texas at Tyler School of Health Professions, Alzheimer’s Alliance
of Smith County and UT Health East Texas announced the opening of the expanded Neuropsychology
Clinic to provide comprehensive care for patients and families affected by memory
disorders.
“This partnership is about the people of East Texas and ensuring that those East Texans facing difficult diagnoses have access to care, support and resources close to home and at every stage of care,” said President Julie V. Philley, MD. “This clinic is an important step forward, and by bringing together research, clinical expertise and caregiver support, we are creating a resource that will have meaningful impact across the region.”
Located at the Alzheimer’s Alliance headquarters, the joint initiative significantly broadens the on-site diagnostic and clinical services offered under one roof, providing patients with expanded specialized care through the collaboration with UT Health East Texas.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with UT Health East Texas and UT Tyler in this strategic win-win for everyone,” said Bonnie Varner, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County. “Now when someone gets a memory evaluation from an excellent neuropsychologist with UT Health, they can easily come and take advantage of the Alzheimer’s Alliance services that help reduce stress, educate and support not only the person with dementia but the whole family.”
This milestone builds on the foundation of the Memory Assessment and Research Center, which began in 2015 through the generosity of community donors and a collaboration between UT Tyler and Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County.
“As the need for dementia and memory care services continues to grow across East Texas, it is critical that patients and families have access to comprehensive evaluation, treatment and support close to home,” said Donald Baker, president of UT Health East Texas. “This expanded clinic reflects the strength of our partnership with UT Tyler and the Alzheimer’s Alliance and our shared commitment to delivering coordinated, compassionate care. Together, we are helping patients and families navigate memory disorders with greater confidence and access to the resources they need.”
“We encourage anyone who might be experiencing memory issues to speak with their primary care physician about a referral to a neuropsychologist at the UT Health East Texas Neuropsychology Clinic for an evaluation,” said Dr. Andrew Schmitt, UT Tyler director of neuropsychology. “A neuropsychological evaluation uses standardized testing to assess cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving, helping to identify cognitive strengths and challenges related to conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia and other neurological concerns.”
About Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County
The Alzheimer's Alliance has been providing services to people with dementia and their families in Smith County since 1982. The organization is a local, independent nonprofit, and 100% of the proceeds stay in Smith County. The Alzheimer's Alliance provides free case-management, support groups, respite, education workshops, 24/7 locator bracelets for those who wander, and more.
About UT Health East Texas
UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes 9 hospitals, more than 90 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services, an EMS fleet of more than 65 ambulances and four helicopters, and a network of eight comprehensive trauma care centers, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.
As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.
About UT Tyler
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.