Northeast Center for Special Care Advances Clinical Knowledge of Traumatic Brain Injury with 3rd Annual Mid-Hudson Brain Injury Rehabilitation Conference in Kingston, NY
Experts in the fields of medicine, neuropsychology, optometry, speech language pathology, substance abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), consumer advocacy and legal advocacy discussed a wide variety of topics related to traumatic brain injury rehabilitation at the 3rd Annual Mid-Hudson Brain Injury Rehabilitation Conference presented by Northeast Center for Special Care in Kingston, NY.
Lake Katrine, NY (PRWEB) October 5, 2007
CEO Ann Belcher is pleased to announce that Northeast Center for Special Care, a nationally-recognized brain injury rehabilitation program located in Lake Katrine, NY, hosted its third annual Mid-Hudson Brain Injury Rehabilitation Conference on September 20, 2007, offering healthcare professionals from around the country the latest information on clinical developments in the field. .
Experts in the fields of medicine, neuropsychology, optometry, speech language pathology, substance abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), consumer advocacy and legal advocacy discussed a wide variety of topics related to traumatic brain injury rehabilitation during the day-long conference in Kingston, NY.
Anthony Salerno, President of Northeast Center for Special Care, noted: "This conference brings together some of the country's leading experts in brain injury rehabilitation. Northeast Center for Special Care is pleased to be able to make this information available to the public and our peers in the healthcare and rehab community."
The agenda included the following presentations:
Ethical Considerations in Working With the Brain Injured Population, Michael V. Kaplen, ESQ, Chairperson, New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Coordinating Council. Best Practice Positive Behavioral Support Strategies: Addressing Anomie and Other Aberrant Influences on Conduct, Thomas E. Pomeranz, Ed. D., authority, trainer, clinician and consultant in the field of services for people with disabilities and creator of the Universal Enhancement program to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Visual Disturbance and Rehabilitation Post TBI, Daniel Lack, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, Board Certified specialist in vision therapy and a Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the American Academy of Optometry. Finding and Funding Community Supports in Your Community, Dominick Raffio, LMSW, Northeast Center for Special Care PTSD and TBI -- What Do We Really Know?, Nathan Zasler, MD, FAAPM&R, FAADEP, DAAPM, CIME, Medical Director, The Tree of Life Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center in Glen Allen, VA. The Healing Power of Neurofeedback in TBI, Steve Larsen, Ph. D., Director of the Stone Mountain Center, Stone Ridge, NY. Substance Abuse and TBI - What You Need to Know, F. R. Sparadeo, Ph. D., Director of the Rhode Island Traumatic Brain Injury Institute. Developing Self-Awareness and Motivation Post TBI, Gerry Brooks, MA, CCC, CBIT, Director of Brain Injury Programs, Northeast Center for Special Care. Ask the Doctors, a Panel Discussion with Dr. Thomas Pomeranz, Dr. F. R. Sparadeo, Dr. Nathan Zasler, Dr. Steve Larson, Dr. Daniel Lack, Dr. Richard A. Hodder, Medical Director, Northeast Center for Special Care, and Dr. Victor Zelek, Neuropsychologist, Northeast Center for Special Care.
Michael V. Kaplen, Esq, received the Northeast Center for Special Care's first Advocate of the Year award for his work on behalf of brain injury survivors and their families. Mr. Kaplen is Chairperson of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Coordinating Council, Past President of the Brain Injury Association of New York and the Brain Injury Association of America, and a partner in the law firm of De Caro & Kaplen LLC.
One of the highlights of the conference was the special appearance by a graduate of the Northeast Center's TBI program who has been living independently in the community for more than five years. As part of a presentation on identifying and acquiring community supports, the center graduate discussed his progress since returning to the community and explained how Northeast Center's unique programs and staff made his re-entry into the community so successful.
A gallery of recent works of art created by Northeast Center Resident-Neighbor artists with TBI was on display at the conference. The attendees were also delighted by a multi-media display about the arts in a therapeutic community, compiled by Rick Soshensky, MA, MT-BC, NRMT, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Susan Togut, MFA, Carolyn Corbett, MFA, and Peter Bass, all of Northeast Center for Special Care.
Conference participants from Scripps Health of San Diego, California, praised the information presented on brain injury: "This excellent one-day conference was filled with the latest developments needed by professionals in the traumatic brain injury rehabilitation field. We need more conferences like this one. We need to get more information out there."
Northeast Center Program Director Gerry Brooks noted - It is amazing the information that comes out in these clinical convocations. The interactions among the physicians and therapists and the dialogue with the attendees was very valuable. Everyone leaving the conference was pumped up and inspired to return to their programs with new insights.
Northeast Center will continue in its commitment to the continuing education of professionals who support individuals with TBI by scheduling additional information seminars in the coming months. To join the mailing list for our 4th Annual Mid-Hudson Brain Injury Rehabilitation conference to be held in 2008, follow this link: http://www. northeastcenter. com/brain_injury_rehabilitation_conference. htm
Northeast Center for Special Care is a state-of-art rehabilitation program for individuals with brain injury, neurobehavioral disorders, spinal cord injury, and ventilator dependency. Established in 1999, it is located on a 39-acre campus in the beautiful Hudson Valley. The mission of Northeast Center for Special Care is rehabilitation, recovery and community reentry for individuals with disabilities. Since its inception, hundreds of individuals have "graduated" from its programs and have moved on to integrated settings in their communities. Northeast Center has been honored with numerous awards including: The New York State Health Facilities Association's (NYSHFA) Clinical and Quality Services Committee 2007 Innovative Practices Award, The Advance Magazine Award for Innovative Clinical Program, The American Association for Respiratory Care Quality Respiratory Care Recognition Award for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, The Gateway Community Industries Employer of the Year award and the Mid-Hudson Employment Alliance Outstanding Employer of Individuals with Disabilities.
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