Brain Injury Summit Was Held November 2 & 3, 2007, Washington, DC

In a collaborative initiative to highlight accomplishments and address the gaps in service for returning troops, the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS) and the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) ask for your attendance at our emergency summit meeting in Washington, DC, on November 2-3, 2007 at the Latham Hotel in Washington, DC. Tentative meeting times are from noon on Friday, November 2 through 3:00pm on Saturday, November 3rd.

To register, click here.

The mission of the summit is to produce a document that proposes recommended service and treatment measures for brain injured service-members and civilians across their life spans. Once your attendance is confirmed, you will be assigned to a workgroup based on your area of expertise.

From the collected recommendations, we will then form a publicly accessible document that will be used both legislatively and privately. Our aim is to create a standard of care that honors our injured service-members and civilian survivors and to develop a series of treatment and support protocols that benefit survivors at all levels of brain injury across their life spans.

Once that document is created, we will collect supporting signatures from brain injury professionals, consumers, caregivers, other interested and involved organizations, as well as politicians. The result will be a clear, authoritative appeal for brain injury reform in America. Please confirm your participation in this event by returning the registration form by fax to (703) 960-6603.

NABIS has secured a small block of rooms at the Latham Hotel, in the heart of Georgetown, at a reduced rate. Please call 1-888-587-2377 by October 26, 2007, to assure your accommodations. After this date, there is no guarantee that rooms will be available. The Latham is located at 3000 M Street NW, Washington, DC  20007.

FAQ****

Why is this meeting urgent?

At NABIS's recent annual conference, a roundtable consisting of military, state, and private sector professionals decided that urgent action was necessary to instigate substantive reform. The Brain Injury Association of America has supported the initiative by becoming a lead participant and sponsor. All organizers have agreed that the media's attention to this issue will be short-lived; it is imperative that brain injury professionals and advocates step forward to recommend and demand change.  This concern is shared with a wide range of other groups and organizations who have also been involved in these issues.

What is the agenda for the summit?

At the summit there will be a brief introduction explaining the day's agenda in detail. Individuals will then participate in smaller workgroups. These workgroups will then focus on one particular subject area and work to recommend a course of action. A scheduled agenda will be emailed to you prior to the meeting.

Why was I chosen to participate?

Your involvement in brain injury work or advocacy has made your voice and ideas critical to this summit's success. This invitation has only been sent to professionals, consumers and other individuals who have demonstrated significant involvement in brain injury issues over the years.

What will be expected of me?

You will be expected to review some background information prior to your arrival at the meeting.  This is a working meeting intended to produce a document draft.  You will be assigned to an area of work that reflects your talents or interests, or areas that need to be covered.  Please be prepared with reference materials that can be used bibliographically. It will be important to bring a laptop computer that has wireless Internet connectivity. A USB flash drive will be useful as well. Dress will be casual.

What materials should I review prior to the meeting?

There are several important documents you should become familiar with:

• Statement of Brain Injury Association of America calling for public/private cooperation to meet TBI care needs
• Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines for Prehospital Management of Traumatic Brain Injury
• Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
• Colorado’s Traumatic Brain Injury Medical Treatment Guidelines
• Harvard Study: “Soldiers Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan: The long-term costs of providing veterans medical care and disability benefits”
• Dole-Shalala Commission Report: President’s Commision on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors

What will the document address?

The document will scrutinize the current treatment pathway of brain injury survivors in both civilian and military sectors. A particular emphasis will be placed on identifying gaps in service delivery and quality of care throughout all phases of recovery.

Who will own the final document?

The public. This effort is a joint collaboration among several respected organizations and will be used as a powerful tool in a variety of local, national, and military applications. The document will be directed to all those involved in brain injury treatment, legislation, and advocacy.

I can't participate at this meeting; how can I remain involved?

If you can change your already scheduled plans, we encourage you to do so.
As a result of your participation at the summit, your name will be presented to the nation as an involved authority on brain injury. If you cannot attend the meeting, you will be invited to review a draft of the document and make recommendations via email.

Contact:

NABIS
Tel. (703) 960-6500
Fax. (703) 960-6603
www.nabis.org