Amanda Parezo and Kate Turner join the BIAPA Board
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce that Amanda Parezo and Kate Turner have joined the BIAPA Board of Directors.
Read MoreLong Covid and Brain Fog
Have you heard the term from those with reference to their previous Covid 19 viral infection:” I have long-COVID” or “I am a COVID long hauler?”
What is long Covid? First of all please be assured that “long-Covid is real. According to recent survey 65 million individuals previously infected with the COVID-19 virus have long Covid.
Read MoreBRAIN FOG and FATIGUE – WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?
Brain fog is one of the most common symptoms that occur after a Covid infection and is usually part of long Covid. There are now Post Covid Care Clinics in different places in the country to help treat this problem.
Read MoreBIAPA Participates in Brain Injury and Opioid Misuse Initiative
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is partnering with the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) to raise awareness of the intersection of brain injury and opioid misuse and to provide training and consultation to substance abuse providers and professionals who work with individuals struggling with opioid misuse and/or addiction.
Read MoreBIAPA Honors Five at 2023 Conference
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania honored five organizations and individuals at the 2023 Conference in Lancaster. The Service to the Brain Injury Community Award was presented to the Fighting Back Scholarship Program (FBSP). Founded in 1989 by Scott Dillman, FBSP assists individuals who have suffered life-changing illnesses or injuries and are without the finances…
Read MorePickleball Tournament Benefits BIAPA
BIAPA sends a big thank you to Montour High School senior Autumn DuMontier and the MHS Future Business Leaders for sponsoring a Brain Injury Awareness Pickleball Tournament in March, Brain Injury Awareness Month, which raised $600 for BIAPA.
Read MoreGovernor Josh Shapiro declares March Brain Injury Awareness Month
I encourage all Pennsylvanians to recognize the value and importance of brain injury prevention and awareness. – Governor Josh shapiro
Read MoreBIAPA announces two new Board members
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania is pleased to welcome two new members to the BIAPA Board of Directors: Robin Joyce and Cristabelle Braden.
Read MoreBIAPA welcomes Encompass Heath Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona to the Brain Injury Ambassador Program.
BIAPA welcomes Encompass Heath Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona to the Brain Injury Ambassador Program. We are so pleased to be able to offer the services of our trained volunteer ambassadors to brain injury patients and families in this facility. Our Ambassador volunteers, who all have lived experience with brain injury, offer an important personalized connection…
Read MoreDepression and Brain Injury
Depression is a common symptom after a stroke (one third of patients,) and after a Traumatic Brain Injury (over half of patients). Senator John Fetterman’s recent treatment for depression has prompted much discussion on this topic. There are of course several reasons for the association between brain injury and depression. Organic factors related to the…
Read MoreBIAPA is new home for ReDiscoverU
Beginning in January 2023, the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania is the new home for the ReDiscoverU program. Established by the Council on Brain Injury (CoBI), the ReDiscoverU Program assists individuals in learning new skills or rediscovering past interests through inclusive and diverse educational opportunities that enhance the health, well-being, and knowledge of those who…
Read MoreNew Caregiver Support Group Begins January 11
BIAPA President Ann Marie McLaughlin announced the establishment of a Virtual Caregiver Support group in a message focusing on BIAPA’s appreciation of the unique needs of individuals caring for those with a brain injury and BIAPA’s commitment to serve those members of Pennsylvania’s Brain Injury Community. “We hear you and we are here for you! …
Read MoreBIAPA welcomes Reading Hospital in Wyomissing to the Brain Injury Ambassador Program
BIAPA is pleased to welcome Reading Hospital in Wyomissing to the Brain Injury Ambassador Program! We are so pleased to be able to offer the services of our trained volunteer ambassadors to brain injury patients and families in this facility. Our Ambassador volunteers, who all have lived experience with brain injury, offer an important personalized…
Read MoreSpotlight on BIRL Volunteer Elayne Masters
BIAPA is very proud and appreciative of our Brain Injury Resource Line (BIRL) team! This month we are shining the spotlight on Elayne Masters, who began her involvement with BIAPA in 2019. Here is Elayne’s inspiring story, in her own words.
Read MoreBIAPA Welcomes Penn State Rehabilitation Hospital as Brain Injury Ambassador Partner
BIAPA is pleased welcome Penn State Rehabilitation Hospital in Hershey to the Brain Injury Ambassador Program! We are glad to be able to offer the services of our trained volunteer ambassadors to brain injury patients and families in these facilities. Our ambassador volunteers, who all have lived experience with brain injury, offer an important personalized…
Read MoreBIAPA Honors Nine at the 2022 Conference
One highlight of the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania’s annual conference is the presentation of awards that recognize the achievements and contributions made by individuals, institutions and families to Pennsylvania’s brain injury community. Nine recipients were honored at the 2022 Conference, which was held in June in Lancaster. Since the 2021 Conference was cancelled due…
Read MoreProject to evaluate providing cognitive rehabilitation treatment through telehealth
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute to study the feasibility and satisfaction with cognitive rehabilitation services delivered through a video-conference platform. This project included 27 individuals with traumatic brain injury enrolled in the Pennsylvania Head Injury Program. After 6 months of treatment,…
Read MoreBIAPA to Screen for Brain Injury in Pennsylvania State Prisons
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) in partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC), will be working on a 5-year federal grant from the National Institutes of Justice (NIJ) to implement a randomized clinical research trial to determine if a case management…
Read MoreBIAPA wants to share survivor creations!
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania is creating a new space for survivors on our website. It will be easier to navigate and to help you keep in the know about what’s coming up! It will include a section devoted to the skills and talents of brain injury survivors. Whatever your talent is, from painting…
Read MoreBrain Injury Awareness Month Proclamation
Governor Tom Wolf proclaims March 2021 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Pennsylvania!
Read MoreCare for the Caregiver after Brain Injury
BIAPA’s Virtual Educational Series will continue with a program focusing on caregivers on Wednesday March 3, 2021 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The speaker will be neuropsychologist Dr. Ann Marie McLaughlin, BIAPA’s president and director of outpatient, home and community-based services for ReMed. Through her years working in acute and post-acute brain injury rehabilitation, Dr.…
Read MoreFitness Training After Brain Injury: Why and How
BIAPA’s Virtual Educational Series will continue with a program focusing on fitness training after brain injury on Thursday February 18, 2021 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The speaker will be Scott Dillman, co-founder of Fitness Trainers Inc., and founder of the Fighting Back Program and the Fighting Back Scholarship Program. He is a retired major…
Read MorePennsylvania Department of Health launches acquired brain injury program
The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently introduced a new program for individuals with non-traumatic acquired brain injury. The Acquired Brain Injury Program (ABIP) provides brain injury rehabilitation for individuals who meet the eligibility criteria. To be eligible for the ABIP, you must: Be 18 to 21 years of age Be a Pennsylvania resident Meet income…
Read MoreBIAPA mourns the passing of Administrator Kara Latshaw
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania is heartbroken as we inform you of the passing of Kara Latshaw, longtime Administrator for the association. Known to many for her enthusiasm and support for individuals with brain injury and their families, Kara consistently went far beyond her official role to guide BIAPA and its members. She was…
Read MorePennsylvania’s Work in Juvenile Justice Recognized Nationally
On June 26th, Julie Myers of the PA Department of Health, Monica Vaccaro and MJ Schmidt of BIAPA, presented a webinar titled “Brain Injury in Juvenile Justice: Information and Implications for Juvenile Service Providers”. This webinar was sponsored by the National Partnership for Juvenile Services (NPJS) and reached a national audience of juvenile service professionals…
Read MoreBIAPA joins BIAA in calling on Congress to Improve Discriminatory Policing
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania joins citizens across the country who are frustrated and deeply pained by continuing discrimination against black communities, minorities, and people with disabilities. We, as an organization, are having conversations to better understand how to support, serve, and resource the communities of Pennsylvania and beyond. BIAPA strongly supports the Brain…
Read MoreBrain Injury Ambassador Program Launches!
The Brain Injury Ambassador Program, developed through a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, is now implemented! The goal of the program is to connect with families and caregivers of a person who has recently experienced a brain injury and let them know that they are not…
Read MoreA message from Ann McLaughlin, Ph.D., BIAPA President
We wanted to reach out to express our encouragement and support during this stressful time because of changes related to COVID-19.
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