Brain Injury Connector

James "Jim Jim" Miller suffered a TBI on July 18, 2014. Join us as we learn how he has used creativity and positivity to overcome the challenges.   Hear about Apollo and Poo too. BI Switchboard Jim Jim's IG BBQ for Brains - Tickets Key Brewery Taphouse For more information you can visit www.biamd.org or call the free helpline at 1-800-221-6443. #5ThoughtsFriday Flashback: Bells, Bars, and Bumbersh...

From the Coma to the Classroom, join Bryan as hes has a conversation with Tahjai Ward about her Brain Injury journey. Tahjai's IG Tahjai's Tees on IG   For more information you can visit www.biamd.org or call the free helpline at 1-800-221-6443. #5ThoughtsFriday Flashback: Tips, Tabloids, and Traditions. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute e...

Drew Gantt is husband, father, lawyer, President of the BIAM, and brain injury survivor.  Join us a we learn about his journey. For more information you can visit www.biamd.org or call the free helpline at 1-800-221-6443. #5ThoughtsFriday Flashback: Staten, Stem Cells, and Seth Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of treatments, i...

Mawada Hassan is the BIAMD new Office Administrator.  One this episode we learn about her destination wedding and new daughter. For more information you can visit www.biamd.org or call the free helpline at 1-800-221-6443. #5ThoughtsFriday Flashback: Meetings, Music, and Memorial Day Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of treatmen...

Jennifer Granek suffered a traumatic brain injury while in Costa Rica celebrating her 40th birthday. Her daughter Riley Granek joins Bryan to share her story and tell what she is doing now in honor of her moms' memory. Bands for Brains is a fundraiser concert to raise money for brain injury research. The concert takes place on Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m. EST at Union Craft Brewing , 1700 W 41st St #4...

Tom Longest is a husband, father, entrpreniur, and brain injury survivor.   FiveThoughts Flashback: Collaboration, Conflict, and Consciousness BIAMD Annual Conference For more information you can visit www.biamd.org or call the free helpline at 1-800-221-6443. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of treatments, individuals, or pro...

Steve Elville's work is centered in estate, special needs planning and elder law with special emphasis in the areas of tax planning and asset protection. Mr. Elville works with individuals and families to provide a unique attorney-client experience and peace of mind solutions to the challenges they face with estate, asset protection, and tax planning issues, and with disability and long-term care...

Susan Hahn is the founder of HobbleJog Foundation, founder & CEO, Swan Consulting Group, and a  credentialed Executive and Physician Leadership Coach Six weeks after completing her first ever Triathlon in 2013, Susan was crossing a highway with her bike and was hit by a speeding car.  By far the most difficult injury for Susan to accept and recover from was the traumatic brain injury (TBI).  She r...

Laurie Elinoff is a member of the Maryland TBI Advisory Board, a member of Brain Injury Association, and a volunteer for the Maryland Centers for Independent Living, and a brain injury survivor. She shares her message of hope and healing as a self-proclaimed " MIP" (Miracle In Progress). Some of the Programs Laurie mentions in this episode are:  Centers for Independent Living Maryland MobilityLink...

Spanky Bentz is an athlete and artist living in Thurmont, MD. He is a brain injury survivor and spearheaded BIAMD's participation in the Catoctin Colorfest, one of largest art festivals in the Eastern United states. He tells us his story in very personal terms describing his low points, and the tools he uses everyday to combat the brain injury he has named "Bob".  #5Thoughts Flashback: Finance, Fa...

Amanda Gallagher, MA, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with 18 years of clinical experience, primarily working in outpatient neurological rehabilitation.  Amanda's experience also includes rehabilitation program development, clinical education for graduate students, creating and directing an outpatient SLP clinical fellowship program, serving as a rehabilitation Team Coordinator and...

Eugenia Zajdek is the newest Support Services Case Manager with the Brain Injury Association of Maryland. She has over 20 years of experience with community-based service programs, including 13 years managing the delivery of affordable housing programs through effective collaboration and coordination of program goals and initiatives with local, state, and federal governments, private sector, and n...

Caitlin Synovec, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with clinical experience in working with adults experiencing homelessness to improve quality of life and engagement in their preferred communities. Caitlin's experience also includes program development for collaborative and interdisciplinary care, clinical education and training for health care and direct service providers, all to address t...

Sue Pugh is the newly appointed Director of Nursing Talent and Retention for Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD.   She has 35 plus years of hospital clinical experience with a focus on neuroscience patient and their recovery. She is a Master's prepared clinical nurse specialist and has received state and national recognition for her achievements including the 2014 Excellence in Clinical Practice Awar...

Martin Kerrigan sustained a traumatic brain injury in 1998. After his TBI Martin became a special education teacher. Martin received both his master's and Educational Specialist degrees in Special Education with an Emphasis in Acquired Brain Injury from George Washington University. He currently sits on the Maryland Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board where he has serves in the role of chairpers...

Based in the Washington, DC, Metro area, Jay Scheinberg has more than 25 years of business development experience in healthcare and digital strategies; heavily involved in the telehealth and patient access digital transformation initiatives.         As the Executive Director, Business Development & Strategic Alliances at TimelyMD, Jay is responsible for building strategic alliances and channel par...

In February of 2021, Bryan Pugh celebrated his tenth year as Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Maryland. He spends the majority of his time working to create a better future for the citizens of Maryland through brain injury prevention, education, advocacy and the promotion of research. Bryan's passion for serving individuals with a brain injury stems from his wife's work as an...

Catherine Rinehart Mello has work in the brain injury field for the past 15 years.   She completed a graduate certificate in Special Education and Brain Injury and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.   She is worked in at a behavioral non-profit and as a contractor for the Behavioral Health Administration supporting the brain injury programs and specialized individual specific contracts prior...

Najah Britton serves as the Health Educator and Support Services Case Manager at the Brain Injury Association of Maryland. In her role as the support services case manager, she serves as a resource coordinator helping with find community resources for Marylanders living with brain injury, their families, and the professionals who serve them.  Najah also has experience working as a Mobile PRP Casew...

Part 2 of 2 As a clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment and management of neurobehavioral conditions following an Acquired Brain Injury,  Dr. Sementilli has had the opportunity to practice at a number of Baltimore hospitals including University of Maryland Shock Trauma, Sinai Rehabilitation and University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute (formerly Kernan). He is cu...

Part 1 of 2 As a clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment and management of neurobehavioral conditions following an Acquired Brain Injury,  Dr. Sementilli has had the opportunity to practice at a number of Baltimore hospitals including University of Maryland Shock Trauma, Sinai Rehabilitation and University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute (formerly Kernan). He is cu...

The Work of a Recreational Therapist: A Conversation with Candace Rebuck Brain injuries are invisible, silent and often lifelong. Our guest today on the Brain Injury Connector is Candace Rebuck, a Recreational Therapist. Candace focuses on helping individuals transition back to their previous lifestyle after a brain injury and regain the ability to participate in the things they love doing. Recrea...

Kelly Nelson is the Outreach and Communications Manager for Maryland ABLE. She has worked in the field of disabilities for more than 30 years. She has served in many roles supporting people with disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, and connecting them to vital resources within their community.    She can be reached at knelson@marylandable.org. ABLE to Save Month   August ma...

A Glimpse into the World of Brain Injury & Brain Injury Recovery Meet the Staff: A Conversation with Caitlin Starr At least 5.3 million Americans live with a traumatic brain injury related disability. Our guest today on the Brain Injury Connector is Caitlin Starr, Associate Director of the Brain Injury Association of Maryland. Caitlin has worked within the brain injury field for over a decade and...

Because every brain is different, every brain injury is different, and every brain injury recovery is different, most individuals and families dealing with brain injuries have many more questions than answers.  Join Bryan Pugh, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, as he searches for answers by interviewing individuals with brain injuries, family members, healthcare provi...