David Henley, MD

I began my career as a clinical adult and geriatric psychiatrist in New Castle, Indiana, after completing medical school and residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine. During my six years in New Castle, I cared for individuals with a wide range of brain illnesses and developed a particular passion for geriatric psychiatry. I provided psychiatric care in outpatient and nursing home settings in the community, working closely with patients, families, and care teams.

In 2004, I joined Eli Lilly, where I was given the opportunity to lead a large international clinical trial program focused on treatments targeting the underlying process of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). My goal then—as it remains today—was to prevent individuals from progressing to end-stage dementia. Over the past two decades, I have worked on six Alzheimer’s disease compounds toward this goal. These programs contributed to significant advances in the scientific understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.

I am proud to have led large international study teams and collaborated with leading academic experts in Alzheimer’s research. There are now two FDA-approved antibody treatments that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease when initiated in the early symptomatic stages.

My current focus is on bringing these treatments to patients at the individual level, while continuing to work part-time to advance Alzheimer’s disease care worldwide. I am excited to be “coming home” to work with the dedicated and compassionate team at the Behavioral and Mental Health Center at Henry Community Health, providing care for individuals with brain illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease. I also hope to use my experience in New Castle to represent and advocate for rural health care at the national and international level.