Regular Bird Rate

Presented by: Kris McCarty & Savannah Tennant

This presentation shares one journey through a tragic car accident and the recovery, lessons, and insight gained from a seasoned healthcare Mom and her daughter as they moved through the chapters of their story since the accident. There are difficult moments and poignant lessons that have been gained and this mom and daughter are making a conscious choice to do something meaningful with the yuck and to use their story to empower others to find strength and hope in their own journeys, fostering a sense of resilience and possibility.

Presented by: Mary Ann Seibold, BSN, MBA

TBI cases are complex and usually contain a plethora of medical records from hospital stays, supportive therapies, and LCP to consider future care needs. As a nurse who reviews medical-related cases, I will break down the Anatomy/physiology of the TBIs, what to look for in terms of medical records, and experts (Neurologist or LCP for potential future care needs).

Presented by: Robin Hanks, PhD, ABPP

This presentation with cover findings from the Southeastern Michigan Traumatic Brain Injury System at Wayne State University's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. It will cover findings from two studies: 1) Menopause after Traumatic Brain Injury and 2) An Intervention to Develop Resilience and Social Support in Friends and Family of Persons with TBI.

Presented by: Percival Pangilinan, MD and Joshua Startup, MD

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a proposed treatment that has been used following TBI, stroke, and other neurological conditions. Available evidence on using HBOT for neurological injury has been controversial, widely debated, and potentially confusing. We will review the current evidence for the utility and effectiveness of HBOT after neurological injury .

Presented by: Philip Veliz, PhD

Results from the U of M Alumni Brain Health Study.

Exercise and sport participation carry a number of important health benefits. However, potential long-term effects of sport-related concussion and repetitive head impact exposure on athletes’ long-term brain health represent a significant concern in the sports medicine community and society at large. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess relationships between concussion history and collision sport participation with self-reported mood outcomes in a sample of former U-M male and female collegiate athletes and non-athletes.

Presented by: Miranda Grunwell, BS

Society sends messages to people with disabilities that disability is "bad" – something we should fix, change, or hide. We don't agree! In this workshop, we will explore and celebrate our disabilities as an important part of who we are. Join us to celebrate disability and help shift the narrative towards acceptance and pride!

Presented by: Percival Pangilinan, MD and Robert Spencer, PhD, ABN, CBIS

Clinical neuropsychology has a long tradition in assessing, treating, and improving the quality of lives of those who have sustained brain injuries. Despite its ubiquity, care providers often know little about the history of neuropsychology as a clinical discipline, professional standards, and processes of neuropsychological assessment. This overview provides a useful summary from the perspectives of a neuropsychologist and a physiatrist who frequently consults with neuropsychological services.

Presented by: Stacey Francis, DC

Deep dive into the most common causes of fatigue, how to test for them and how to support the systems involved with diet and lifestyle.

Presented by Jim Pender, LMSW, Brad Richardson, PhD, June Klein-Bacon, BSW, CBIST and Liane Gelman-Wegener, MSW, LCSW, CBIS?

Caretakers involved in the child welfare system present with behavioral health concerns increasing the risk of out of home placement and/or termination of parental rights of their children. If a caretaker has lived experience of brain injury traditional interventions are less likely to be effective and creates challenges for providers related to symptom management. It is vital professionals with knowledge of how a brain injury may impact a caretakers ability to safely parent their children learn how to engage their child welfare partners so they are brain injury informed in policy/practice. This session will highlight a guide authored by ACL’s State Partnership Program Child Welfare Workgroup and a variety of resources and tools will be shared with you allowing for cross collaboration. As well, staff from Iowa's Neuro Resource Child Welfare Collaborative Pilot Project will share their findings on the prevalence of brain injury among caretakers and the need to modify interventions.

Presented by: Terrence Carolan, MSPT, MBA

In an effort to support the full spectrum of brain injury rehabilitation, CARF International is working with the field to provide guidance to programs that deliver care to individuals who have experienced Concussions and Disorders of Consciousness. Concussion Rehabilitation Program standards were published in January 2024 and CARF is currently seeking input from the field on the creation of Disorders of Consciousness Program standards in 2025. This session will educate and engage the audience to provide input into these efforts.

Presented by: Bruce Farrell, MS and Katie Strong, PhD, CCC-SLP

Having a brain injury and communication disability such as aphasia, brings chaos to life. Stories help us make sense and move forward. Join us to hear Bruce’s story, highlighting his challenges and successes. Information linking identity and story will be shared. We will introduce evidenced-based methods for using stories in rehabilitation and share how people with brain injury can partner with their clinicians in using story to support recovery in navigating one’s past, present, and future.

Presented by: Emily Noyes, PhD and Craig Miller, PhD

Problems with emotional, cognitive, and physical functioning are common following TBI, and these can have adverse effects on individuals’ quality of life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one form of psychotherapy that may be well suited to address these concerns, allowing individuals to make room for difficult thoughts and feelings, while focusing on optimizing their recovery and engaging in values-based behaviors. This presentation will describe the basic tenets of ACT therapy, with specific applications to working with individuals with TBI.

Presented by: Kara Christy MS, OTRL, CBIS and Emily Beaird, OTD

Sports vision training is a specialized area of vision rehabilitation, which can aim to address injury prevention, sports enhancement, and/or return to play. Due to the high demands required of our visual processing system during an athletic performance, sports vision training is appropriate for individuals at all ages and stages of their careers. Explore advanced equipment options used in sports vision training and learn how this specialty service can help athletes return to play following a concussion/brain injury.

Presented by: Joann Arpino, MA, LPC, CRC, CBIS and Tim Hoste

Blending vocational rehabilitation with structured day programming results in a better quality of life for the person receiving services. This unique approach meets the person where they are at in their recovery and allows for seamless transitions as their moves through various stages of life.

Presented by: Alyssa Thanasiu, OTR/L

This presentation will cover both a literature review that inspects how adaptive gaming and virtual reality affects those with spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries, and discuss personal experiences with multiple disciplines (speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy) on how virtual reality and adaptive gaming has benefited their specific clients with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, or both.

Presented by: Jennifer Ratermann PT, DPT, ATP, CBIS

Based on the most recent data from the CDC, there were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020. Many of these individuals will require the use of a wheelchair for their care and recovery.

Families, patients, caregivers and most health care professionals are not aware of the multitude of wheelchair systems and the importance of supporting the individual appropriately. Education on this topic is lacking in healthcare settings and discharge planning.

A review of the various wheelchairs and seating system options will be presented as well as their functional implications from the basic wheelchair to the high end custom wheelchair system.

A review of the importance of postural support and how to achieve it with seating as well as the physiological, psychological and functional implications will also be included.

Presented by: Rachel Connor, Psy.D. and Craig Miller, PhD.

When patients' descriptions of their cognitive problems differ from results on neuropsychological testing, this discrepancy poses challenges for treatment providers. Numerous psychosocial and medical factors can contribute to this potential discrepancy; therefore, practitioners must understand the effects of these factors to make informed treatment decisions and counsel patients following traumatic brain injury. This presentation will address subjective cognitive concerns broadly and within traumatic brain injury and its relationship with objective cognitive performance, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life.

Presented by: Arthur Yan, DO, MS

The session involves exploring new topics in brain injury rehabilitation. First, the perspective of acute brain injury and secondary injury will be examined through the lens of epigenetics. This perspective will be focused on rehabilitation of brain injury patients and the growing field of, “Rehabilomics.” Then new advances in the field will be explored, both within diagnostic modalities and within treatment of acquired brain injury patients. The hope for this session is to reframe the perception of this disease process.

Presented by: Mishka Sajjadi, MOT, OTR/L, CBIS

The benefits of yoga are significant yet not always accessible to those who could benefit most, such as individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This project assessed the feasibility of incorporating a 12-week Sensory Enhanced Yoga® (SEY) program into a Day Program setting for individuals with TBI. The pilot study successfully administered the SEY program to Day Program members twice weekly. Outcomes of this project were positive, demonstrating increased client attendance and engagement in Day Program, enhanced staff and client satisfaction with the program participation, and greater incorporation of physical movement and mindfulness into clients' routines. The effectiveness of the SEY program was measured using the Fidelity Measure for Sensory-Enhanced Yoga®, attendance records, and staff and client satisfaction surveys. These assessments support the benefits and viability of integrating SEY into therapeutic settings for individuals with TBI, supporting broader implementation.

Presented by: Nichole Garcia, OTR/L, CBIST, CKTP, Brittney Tuck and Benjamin Meyer, EMU OT Students

This presentation will discuss research done that compares the impact of participation in a therapeutic clubhouse work program to that of someone who does not as it affects pain, work tolerance, quality of life, mental health, and independence for traumatic brain injury survivors. We will be discussing the Clubhouse model, and ways to implement this model into your practice.

Presented by: Grant Anderson, BA and Kris Stevens, MA, CCC-SLP

This updated presentation discusses how music has played a crucial role in Grant Anderson's ongoing recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury in 2007. Despite the odds, he completed his B.A. in Music at WSU in 2014. The presentation will showcase pictures, videos, and research that highlight how music affects the plasticity of the brain, particularly in the skill areas of executive function, functional memory, and complex attention. Lastly, Grant will perform a song he composed after his injury.