Presented by: Mike Orris

In 2009, Mike Orris was involved in a catastrophic accident that nearly took his life. He was set back cognitively to that of a toddler, but he refused to let the prognosis of a lifetime of recovery define him. Instead, Mike chose to adopt a positive attitude and focus on the things he could control. And that mindset made all the difference in his life.

When he was diagnosed with cancer two years later, Mike knew that the same approach would be crucial in his battle. And once again, positivity carried him through.

By keeping a positive outlook and surrounding myself with supportive friends and family, Mike was able to beat cancer and come out on the other side stronger than ever. Looking back, he says he knows that his positive attitude was the key to his survival in both situations. It changed everything and allowed him to overcome even the most daunting challenges.

Presented by: Dr Martin Waalkes & Allison Mezo MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

This presentation reviews recent research regarding the importance and effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation. It details the latest guidelines for effective implementation of cognitive rehabilitation in TBI recovery plans. 

Presented by: Dr Debby Feinberg & Dr Mark Rosner

Persistent post-concussive symptoms impact about 15% of the TBI population and significantly impacts quality of life. This presentation will address how both binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) and sound sensitivity can be caused by TBI, and how treatment of the BVD using microprism lenses coupled with treatment of the sound sensitivity using sound attenuation devices leads to an 80% reduction of TBI symptoms for the average patient. Strategies for identifying appropriate candidates for treatment will be described. 

Presented by: Sara Roach PT, DPT, NCS

Learn what tone and spasticity are, how to assess tone and spasticity, and how tone and spasticity affect the movement of a person following a central nervous system injury. Various intervention approaches and techniques will be discussed with focus on functional improvement within a rehabilitative therapy setting. Client cases will be examined to illustrate therapeutic interventions and related research will be discussed. 

Presented by: Dr Mary Newton

This will be a broad overview of acquired brain injury from a clinical and practitioner perspective as well as the survivor perspective. It will provide an overview of brain injury as a disease, its associated comorbid conditions, as well as provide outline for the rehabilitation process. 

Presented by: Kellie Blackwell

Assistive Technology (AT) can assist with keeping people in their own community. The Michigan Assistive Technology Program (MATP) is a statewide, free, federally funded program increasing access to and knowledge of AT options for individuals with disabilities, family members, and organizations that support people with disabilities. This session will provide an overview of AT options with a hands-on approach, while also providing a variety of resources.

Presented by: Dr Brett Schneider & Dr Sarah Patrick

Many people present with mood or personality changes in the initial recovery period following a TBI. For some individuals, they continue to experience depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and other mood disturbances months to years after injury. In this talk, we will review the common types of mood disturbance following a TBI, risk factors for chronic symptoms, and the psychological interventions focused on these symptoms. 

Presented by: Dr Amanda Zwilling & Jared Kurdunowicz PT, DPT

Alterations in sleep are one of the most common concerns among individuals who have sustained a TBI. This presentation will focus on describing the association between cognitive, functional and physical outcomes and features of sleep (quality, duration, etc.) among TBI survivors. Preliminary data from a study assessing features of sleep conducted with inpatient TBI survivors will be reviewed. Practical implications of these findings and ways to optimize sleep in individuals who have sustained a TBI will be discussed. 

Presented by Lynn Brouwers, MS, CRC, CBIST-Retired

People with severe brain injury benefit from a robust continuum of care to help achieve goals of community living. With recent changes in funding, Michigan is trending toward more admissions to skilled nursing facilities for both short term and long term care. Learn about an array of services and supports that will make discharge planning more successful and enhance quality community living.

Presented by: Dr Mary Newton

This presentation will discuss the link between unresolved trauma and the development of chronic pain syndrome in adults who experience catastrophic multiple trauma, orthopedic, and brain injuries. The Presenter will discuss the literature on this topic, and why opioid and other interventions may not work on this population. Other, more effective treatment modalities will be proposed, with a discussion on which type of injuries fit with each modality.  

Presented by: Lindsay Vos, BS, CTRS & Dr Nada Metti

Lindsay Vos was a former collegiate athlete and recreational therapist working with individuals who sustained life-altering catastrophic injuries before she was diagnosed with a hereditary blood vessel disorder. Her life took a turn when she had a 14-hour brain surgery to remove a softball-sized AVM from her brain which resulted in a massive stroke. She went from living independently to relying on others to help her with tasks as she lost the function of her left arm. Nada Metti, an occupational therapist, met Lindsay Vos when she was completing her clinical at the same therapy clinic that Lindsay was attending for therapy. The two became friends and eventually moved in together. Nada got to see a glimpse of what life was like for a stroke survivor outside of the clinic and realized that there are several factors that are not addressed by therapists in the clinic. Lindsay and Nada aim to bridge the gap in services through education and a deeper understanding of the patient experience.

Presented by Dr Percival Pangilinan & Dr Joshua Startup

Coma is a type of disorder of consciousness (DOC). It's hallmarked by a prolonged loss of consciousness. We will review the types of DOC, their management, and the long term outcomes. 

Presented by Nichole Garcia, OTR/L, CBIST, CKTP

Co-presenting with students Emily Lupton, Kaylee Traster & Ashlee Richardson

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The Brain Injury Clubhouse model is an evidenced based program that shows an improvement with health, reduction in hospitalizations, and reduction in acute hospitalizations. Brain injury clubhouses are designed to improve the lives of those living with a brain injury and reduce the caregiver strain. These clubhouses are designed to meet the long-term needs of those with a brain injury with community-based supports. The brain injury clubhouse services anyone with a brain injury that is not specific to auto no fault benefits. With the recent auto reforms, we need to consider how other states provide services to those with a brain injury, and the significant improvements it has on individuals. So why is this not in Michigan? 

Presented by: Dr Andrew Hale & Dr Robert Spencer

Patients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries frequently present with subjective cognitive complaints. Cognition can be assessed in a variety of ways including self-report (e.g., interviews, rating scales), cognitive screening tests (e.g., the MoCA), and neuropsychological evaluations. We will discuss each method's strengths/limitations, circumstances that might occasion the use of one method versus another, and ways to provide feedback when a discrepancy between subjective and objective data is found. A stepped-care approach to cognitive assessment will be discussed to highlight the benefits each method in a variety of settings, such as a primary care office, a rehabilitation unit, or hospital. 

Presented by Dr Michele White

The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread consequences on health care systems around the world. Specifically it has impacted how rehabilitative services are delivered. Telehealth services have been a bridge to fill in the gap in the healthcare system to allow effective care to continue. Now that we are 3 years post pandemic, the most effective solution for the TBI community needs to be a hybrid of both in person and Telehealth. This session will explore best practices for implementation of successful hybrid Telehealth methods. 

Presented by: Nikki Sedam, MS, OTR/L

Coordinating post discharge care for catastrophically injured patients who require ongoing Rehabilitation Services can be daunting. The Rehabilitation landscape is complicated – with LTAC’s, community based rehabilitation hospital units, freestanding rehabilitation hospitals, regional Centers of Excellence and even skilled nursing facilities marketing their services as more cost effective alternatives to further hospitalization. Evaluating a patient’s needs and matching them to the appropriate Level of Care is a critical function that requires appreciation of fiscal, psycho-social and medical factors. This presentation will provide Case Managers with evaluation tools to successfully triage patients with complex rehabilitation needs, manage family emotion and expectations while coordinating rehabilitation options best suited to optimize outcomes and improve quality of life.

Presented by: Dr Robert Spencer & Dr Percival Pangilinan

Boxing is a full-contact sport with a history than spans centuries. Injuries are common and no-one will likely be surprised that boxers are at high risk for head injuries. We will review some of the history of boxing and the evolution of the safety protocols, risk of TBI, and sequela of boxing. 

Presented by: Kendell Myers, PT, DPT

With the landscape of reimbursement changing, it is important for all parts of the team to understand and act diligently on what is most important throughout a patient's rehabilitation journey. The therapist, patient/family and referral source each have responsibilities that play a vital role in therapy success and continuation of services. In this presentation we will discuss these responsibilities and provide action items in order to best maximize rehabilitation progress and continuation of care.

Presented by: Brian Elder & Erin Zettle

Our presentation will explain the basics of estate planning, answering questions about special needs trusts, powers of attorney, trusts versus wills, and explain the mechanics of probate court. We focus on estate planning for families who have family members with disabilities and how to protect those family members, deal with Medicaid planning, and protect their assets.