| Annual Conference
The BIA-MO 5th Annual Statewide Conference “Creating A Better Future” was held September 30 to October 3 at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri.
The Host Sponsor was the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). The conference is an educational opportunity for healthcare professionals as well as survivors of brain injury and their families. This conference is the only conference in Missouri established to specifically address issues relating to brain injury.
The Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) Statewide Conference 2009 featured nationally and locally recognized speakers sharing cutting edge technologies, innovative therapeutic and program strategies and current trends in research. Conference sessions also included state of the art techniques related to treating pediatric and geriatric brain injuries, promoting positive changes in behavior and access to community resources.
Keynote speakers included Col. Jamie Grimes. Her presentation focused on “Traumatic Brain Injury in the Military”. John Bowman, Chief of Staff for Senator Robin Wright-Jones, discussed “Current Legislation and Promoting the Impact of Grassroots Efforts”. Jay M. Uomoto, Ph.D., University of Washington featured “Facilitating Recovery After Acquired Brain Injury: A Holistic Integrated Care Approach”. Darcy L. Keith, known as the “Queen of Survival”, shared her life story as the only unbuckled backseat survivor in a fatal car crash.
Additional sponsors included Bridges of Missouri, Inc.; Center for Comprehensive Services-Mentor ABI; The Center for Head Injury Services; The Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City; The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, Tim Imhoff and Rachel Dietz; and Alternative Opportunities, Inc.
This year’s conference featured the 1st Annual Survivors Creativity Showcase & Sale, an opportunity for survivors of brain injury to exhibit and sell their artwork including paintings, drawings, crafts, pottery, jewelry, books and more. This feature was very well received.
The Awards Luncheon and Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, October 3. Maureen Cunningham, Executive Director, reported on the many successes throughout this year for BIA-MO.
The following awards were presented during the Annual Awards Luncheon:
Courage Awards
Carol Ann Chilton
Jack Johnson
Lisa Miller
Points of Light Award
David Colony
Volunteers of the Year
Gayla Bernardini
Elaine Hall
Legislator of the Year
Senator Tom Dempsey
Service in Excellence Award in Prevention
Diane Mack
Service in Excellence Award in Community Service
Lisa Curtis
Service in Excellence Award in Public Relations
The Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council
Bill Buell Memorial Award
Karla Bunch
Special thanks for our advertisers and exhibitors whose generous donations made this year’s conference so successful. Also, a big thank you to our conference committee and volunteers.
The raffle was an exciting element to the conference with fun items. Lisa Chandler did a wonderful job coordinating this effort!
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