NABIS Chairman Attends Second U.S. – Cuban Meeting on Brain Trauma

Robert D. Voogt, Ph.D., chairman of the International Brain Injury Association and the North American Brain Injury Society, recently concluded his second visit to Cuba for the 2004 conference on rehabilitation from neurological disorders, sponsored by the International Center for Neurological Rehabilitation (CIREN), the International Brain Research Organization and the International Society for Neurochemistry.

Discussing the importance of his attendance during the conference, Voogt said, “Brain trauma is an international epidemic and a significant public health problem worldwide. As chairman of the International Brain Injury Association, I am responsible for the dissemination of clinical knowledge regarding the treatment and care of traumatic brain injuries to as many countries and regions worldwide as possible.”

To this end, Voogt presented a lecture titled “Redefining the Self After Neurological Insult” that reviewed the history of the healing process and healing profession in an attempt to define the absolute goal in neurological rehabilitation.

In addition, he served as session coordinator, attended multidisciplinary lectures from which he will bring back information and knowledge to IBIA, continued the international dialogue started with Cuba during his first trip in September and presented IBIA as an important international brain injury membership organization.

Voogt's wife, Karen, accompanied him on both trips to Cuba . Karen Voogt, a pediatric physical therapist, presented a lecture on comprehensive physical therapy management of very young children with severe neurological impairments.