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Good Shepherd to host brain injury conference

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation will host the second-annual Mind Your Brain Lehigh Valley, a free conference for individuals with brain injury, their families, caregivers and healthcare professionals to connect to resources and information that can help on the journey to recovery and clinical practice.

Nearly 3 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries in the United States every year, according to the Brain Injury Association of America.

Hosted by Good Shepherd in partnership with Mind Your Brain Foundation, this program will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 14 at DeSales University’s University Center, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley.

Mind Your Brain Lehigh Valley will feature two keynote speakers and a handful of other experts, along with vendors, educational materials and networking opportunities.

Registration is required and can be completed at goodshepherdrehab.org/myb.

“As a leading regional health care network that specializes in brain injury rehabilitation, Good Shepherd is honored to partner with Mind Your Brain Foundation to once again bring this special event to the Lehigh Valley. It’s an opportunity for people with brain injury, their care partners and providers to get together, share resources, and learn about new supports, programs and interventions that promote increased independence for individuals living with brain injury,” said Stephanie A. Kolakowsky-Hayner, Ph.D., CBIST, FACRM, director of research and clinical outcomes at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and an event organizer. “In addition to lectures and interactive presentations by some of the leading researchers and clinicians in the brain injury field, there will be networking opportunities and vendors available throughout the free, day-long event.”

The conference will cover a variety of brain injury topics, including:

• The neuroscience of music and how it can be used in neurorehabilitation

• Yoga and mindfulness

• A survivor’s story

• Nutrition and brain injury recovery

• Lessons and community building for caregivers or care partners

• Navigating brain injury fatigue

• How assistive technology can reduce caregiver burden

Keynote speakers are Brian Harris, co-founder and CEO of MedRhythms, and Megan Cauley, a LoveYourBrain Level 2 certified yoga and mindfulness teacher.

Other speakers are:

• Emily Brong (person with lived brain injury experience), Beth Winter (caregiver) and Tamie Sturgis (nurse)

• Jennifer M. Doane of Advantage Nutrition & Wellness, LLC

• Mary G. Brownsberger, former director of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s Psychology Group

• Tracie Bearden, a brain injury educator and patient advocate

• Allison Cole and Lyndsey McGrevy, occupational therapists and assistive technology experts with Good Shepherd Rehabilitation

James Durham, president and founder of TBI One Love, presents his keynote speech at the 2023 Mind Your Brain Lehigh Valley Conference at DeSales University. GOOD SHEPHERD REHABILITATION