Tessa Garcia McEwen

2026 Milestone Achievement Award Recipient

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, UChicago Medicine

Tessa Garcia McEwen, AM’16, is a licensed clinical social worker whose work centers on compassionate care for individuals and families navigating complex neurological conditions. She currently works at UChicago Medicine in the Department of Neurology’s Quality of Life and Family Support Services, where she supports patients living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, as well as individuals facing ALS, epilepsy, stroke, and other neurological diagnoses. Her work focuses on connecting patients and care partners with resources, care planning, and emotional support across generations.  

Beyond her clinical work, Tessa is deeply engaged in community initiatives that support families affected by dementia. She is a co-founder and medical sector co-lead of the Dementia Friendly Hyde Park initiative and serves as a global facilitator with Lorenzo’s House, supporting youth and care partners whose loved ones live with dementia. Through her leadership in care, education, and community engagement, Tessa is helping build more compassionate and dementia-informed communities.