Friday, December 21, 2012

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Get Involved!

Are you the partner, family member, or caregiver of someone who sustained a SCI, TBI, or Burn Injury in the past five years? Would you like to share your experience in research to help others in the future?


The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) is recruiting individuals over 18 years old who are the primary caregivers of someone who sustained a SCI, TBI, or Burn Injury in the past five years. Participants will participate in an interview about caregivers’ health information needs. Participants will be compensated $20.


The study is funded by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and conducted by the American Institutes for Research and George Mason University. If you are interested, please call (202) 403-5127 or email msktc@air.org for more information.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Model Systems Researcher Interviewed about Athlete’s Concussions

Nancy Chiaravalloti, Ph.D., director of the Northern New Jersey Model Traumatic Brain Injury System, was interviewed about the effects of concussions and second impact syndrome on football players. Featured on Washington DC's WTOP radio, Chiaravalloti spoke about Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III's return to play. She also spoke on Michiana's WSBT radio, where she discussed the risk of further injury for Notre Dame players who had been treated for concussions.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Model System Researchers Present at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Meeting

A host of SCI and TBI model systems researchers participated in the 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) in Vancouver, Canada from October 9-13, 2012.  Susan Harkema, PhD, of the Kentucky Regional Model Spinal Cord Injury System received the John Stanley Coulter Lecturer Award for her professional achievement and contributions to the advancement of the field of rehabilitation. Marcel Dijkers, PhD, FACRM, of the New York Traumatic Brain Injury Model System received the 2012 Gold Key Award, the highest honor given by the ACRM, for his extraordinary service to the cause of rehabilitation. Additionally, numerous model systems researchers presented papers and delivered lectures to advance the field of Rehabilitation Medicine. Information about these presentations can be found in the conference program. A list of model systems researchers that participated in the conference can be found below:

Participating Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems
Kentucky Regional Model Spinal Cord Injury System
Frazier Rehabilitation, Louisville, KY
·         Susan Harkema, PhD

Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
·         Anne Deutsch, Ph.D.
·         Allen W. Heinemann, PhD, ABPP (RP), FACRM

New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center
Boston University Medical Campus, Boston, MA
·         Alan Jette, PhD

Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Model System
Kessler Foundation Research Center,West Orange, NJ
·         Amanda Botticello, PhD

Regional SCI Center of the Delaware Valley
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital
Philadelphia, PA
·         Ralph Marino,MD

Rocky Mountain Regional Spinal Injury System
Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO
·         Susan Charlifue, PhD
·         Gale Whiteneck, PhD, FACRM

Southern California Spinal Cord Injury Model System
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA
·         Philip Requejo, PhD

Southeastern Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System
Shepherd Center, Inc., Atlanta, GA
·         James Krause, PhD
·         Keith Tansey, MD, PhD

UAB  Spinal Cord Injury Model   System
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
·         Scott Richards, PhD, ABPP

University of Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Model  System
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
·         Anthony Chiodo, MD
·         Martin Forchheimer, MPP
·         Claire Kalpakjan, PhD
·         Denise Tate, PhD, FACRM
·         David Tulsky, PhD

Participating Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems

Moss Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Elkins Park, PA
·         Mary Ferraro, PhD, OTR/L
·         Tessa Hart, PhD, FACRM
·         John Whyte, MD, PhD, FACRM


New York Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
·         Joshua Cantor, PhD
·         Marcel Dijkers, PhD, FACRM
·         Wayne Gordon, PhD
·         Brian Greenwald, MD

Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJ
·         Anthony Lequerica, PhD
·         Karen Nolan, PhD

 Ohio Regional Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
·         John Corrigan, PhD, FACRM

Rocky Mountain Regional Brain Injury System
Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO
·         Cindy Harrison- Felix, PhD

Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System of TIRR
TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX
·         Allison Clark, PhD
·         Angelle Sander, PhD
·         Mark Sherer, PhD

Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center 
Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado
·         Jeffrey P. Cuthbert, MPH, MS
·         Christopher Pretz, PhD

University of Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
·         Kathleen Bell, MD
·         Sureyya Dikmen, PhD
·         Jeanne Hoffman, PhD






Monday, November 26, 2012

Model Systems researcher interviewed about athlete’s concussions

Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director of the Northern New Jersey Model Traumatic Brain Injury System was interviewed on the effects of concussions and second impact syndrome on football players. Featured on Washington, DC's WTOP, Chiaravalloti spoke about Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III's return to play. She also spoke on Michiana's WSBT where she discussed the risk of further injury for Notre Dame players who were treated for concussions.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

November 2012 is National Family Caregivers Month!

Are you the caregiver of a person with SCI, TBI, or Burn injury? Consider participating in the MSKTC Consumer Needs study. Learn more here.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Model Systems Researcher Interviewed by Local News Station



Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, the director of Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Model System participated in an interview by local news stations News 12 and WMBC. The interview focused on new research in traumatic brain injury as well as resources and consumer supports that can help TBI survivors.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Traumatic Brain Injuries Making Football Parent Hesitant

We all want our children to be active and involved, so for football parents the sport provides that and more however there is a growing concern about head injuries involved with the sport. People have mixed views on the age that a child should be able to be involved with this on contact sport. Parents are beginning to worry about the strong disadvantages that may be involved with allowing their children to play this sport which frequently results in head on head collisions or a child at the bottom of the pile. The MSKTC feels that is is very important to gain Understanding of TBI as well as understand how it could possibly affect a young person after that have become a victim of Traumatic Brain Injury. Do you know a child that has sustained a brain injury from football?

Friday, October 5, 2012

NIDRR selects 16 TBI Model Systems to Fund



The National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research recently reached a new fiscal year and selected 16 new Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems to fund. The sixteen newly funded centers are:


The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research
Mayo Clinic
University of Washington
Kessler Foundation Inc.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Craig Hospital
Indiana University
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
The Ohio State University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Baylor Research Institute
University of Miami
New York University School of Medicine

The MSKTC would like to congratulate all of the newly funded model systems, as well as everyone committed to advancing the traumatic brain injury field.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Webinar: Getting to Work After a Traumatic Brain Injury


Getting to Work After a Traumatic Brain Injury, a webcast October 23rd at 2pm EST put on by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment for Nathan Zasler, MD, and Patricia Goodall will discuss research and strategies for returning to work following a traumatic brain injury. They will also be available to answer questions in a web board following the presentation. Registration is free of charge for individuals or agencies.

Call for Presenters for the 2012 National Employment Conference



The George Washington University National Technical Assistance Partnership (NTAP) and The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) proudly announce the 2012 National Employment Conference.

The New Economy: Rethink, Realign, Reinvent

DECEMBER 5-7, 2012

Marriott Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel Arlington, Virginia

CALL FOR PRESENTERS

The 2012 National Employment Conference, "The New Economy: Rethink, Realign, Reinvent" is now accepting proposals for presentations due no later than Friday, September 28, 2012. The conference includes the following five themes: 1) Collaborating with Business; 2) High Growth Fields; 3) Bridging Research and Practice; 4) Opportunities in "Middle Skills Jobs"; and 5) Employment for Specific Populations.

Please note that the Conference Committee has a strong interest in the following two themes:

• High Growth Fields: We invite presentations about industries or sectors currently experiencing or predicted to experience trends of high growth (e.g. healthcare; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); food and hospitality; and retail).

• Opportunities in “Middle Skills Jobs”: We would like to see presentations on jobs that require some postsecondary education or training but not necessarily a bachelor’s degree (e.g. electricians, accounting clerks, laboratory technicians, plumbers, and law enforcement personnel).

For a detailed description of the Call for Presenters and the online presentation submission form, please go to the following link:

http://gwntap.org/conferences.html

For additional information or questions, please contact Maureen McGuire-Kuletz, Ed.D., CRC, at 202-973-1550

Monday, September 10, 2012

Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families

On August 31st, President Obama signed an Executive Order titled, "Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families". The Order will help the federal government better meet the current and future demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services for our troops and veterans, as well as their families. The Order was published in the Federal Register last Wednesday, September 5th. As it relates to TBI Model Systems, NIDRR's who funds the models systems have long-standing investment in traumatic brain injury research and the Department of Education is directed to participate in two initiatives:

- Creation of a National Research Action Plan for PTSD and TBI; and - Participation on an Interagency Task Force on Military and Veterans Mental Health

Learn more about today's Executive Order and other steps the Obama Administration has taken to protect and strengthen the health of our military, veterans and their families here in the United States.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Model Systems Researchers explore a connection between TBI and violence





Dr. David Cifu and Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer from Virginia Commonwealth’s Traumatic Brain Injury Model System have found information that suggest that active duty members are at a heightened risk of being a victim of traumatic brain injury which may be linked to criminal behavior. View the article to learn more here.

Recruiting Caregivers of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury for a Health Information Needs Study



The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) is recruiting individuals over 18 years old who are the primary caregivers of someone who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the past five years. Participants will engage in an interview to better understand caregivers’ health information needs and be compensated $20. The study is funded by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and carried out by the American Institutes for Research and George Mason University. Click here for additional information.


If you are interested in participating, please call Deeza Mae Smith (202) 403-5127 or email msktc@air.org. Recruitment flyers are available for download, print, and posting here: TBI.

New Story: Don't Confront a Parking Violator

Don't confront a parking violator

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society publishes special virtual issue discussing mild traumatic brain injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder

The Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (JINS) recently published a special virtual issue covering mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The issue, titled “Complexities of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder,” synthesizes previously published JINS articles and is of particular relevance to service-members returning from warzones. Dr. Sureyya Dikmen of the University of Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Model System co-edited this issue with Dr. Jennifer Vasterling of the VA Boston Healthcare System.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

WJLA, an ABC News affiliate, highlights the Virginia Commonwealth Traumatic Brain Injury Model System’s work on relationships after brain injury

WJLA News, the Washington, DC-based affiliate of ABC News, featured the innovative work of Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer’s team at the Virginia Commonwealth Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (VCU-TBIMS) on couples’ relationships after brain injury.

The story follows Kurt Olsen and his wife Jennifer Olsen, who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a car accident in 2009. The Olsens sought the help of Dr. Jeffery Kreutzer and his team at VCU; Kreutzer’s group offers novel evidence-based counseling methods specifically tailored for couples affected by TBI.

VCU-TBIMS’ work on post-TBI relationships was also featured by The New York Times earlier this year.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Recruiting Couples dealing with TBI and relationships factsheet

The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSTKC) is recruiting consumers for usability testing of a factsheet on TBI and relationships. We need consumers who meet the criteria below:

·         Participants should be individuals who have had a traumatic brain injury in the past five years or whose partners have had a traumatic brain injury in the past five years.
·         Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
·         Participants should be individuals who were in a monogamous relationship with the same significant other prior to, during, and after their injury or their partner’s injury.
·         Participants should represent a mix of genders and education levels.

If you know any consumers who meet these criteria or would like more information, please contact us at msktc@air.org.

Thank you!

Friday, April 6, 2012

Consumer Information on Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury: Four Part Series

An evidence-based consumer factsheet titled Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury: Four Part Series is available on the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center website at Understanding TBI.  The factsheet covers what happens to the brain during early stages of recovery, the impact on individuals’ functioning, the recovery process, and the impact on family that can accompany TBI.  It was developed by Thomas Novack, PhD and Tamara Bushnik, PhD in collaboration with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center.  It has been reviewed by individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury and endorsed by the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System directors.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

TBI Model Systems Study Published in the New England Journal of Medicine

A NIDRR-funded TBI Model Systems Collaboratives grant study was published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.  The placebo-controlled trial was led by Drs. Joseph Giacino and John Whyte of JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, respectively. Study findings show that daily doses of a Parkinson's drug significantly improved function in patients thought to be beyond the reach of treatment.  If the study can be replicated, promise exists for a standard treatment to help injuries that are generally unpredictable. 

Articles celebrating the results of today’s release can be found in the New York Times and Washington Post.