Authors

Jean Blosser, Ed.D.

Susan Beebe is an artist and illustrator who has had many paperdolls, novelty cards and other children’s products published. She lives in Maine and works in various mediums and has had several special shows in galleries featuring her work.

Stephen Bruce, M.Ed., BCBA, CBIS

He is the Senior Director for Professional Development for the Neurosciences Institute at Bancroft NeuroHealth in Haddonfield, New Jersey. He earned a Master of Education degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Temple University and is completing course work for a doctoral degree in special education from Temple University. Mr. Bruce coordinates staff training and development, teaches courses in applied behavior analysis at Temple University, and directs Bancroft NeuroHealth’s professional conferences and workshops. He also chairs a behavior management committee and oversees school consultation services. Mr. Bruce has worked in the field of developmental disabilities and brain injury for the past 17 years and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst as well as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.

Bob Cluett, A.D.

As the survivor of a childhood brain injury, Bob brings a special perspective as CEO of Lash and Associates Publishing/Training Inc. The skills that he developed during his corporate career of over 20 years in communication, marketing, direct mail advertising and sales now focus on publishing information about the consequences of brain injury among children, adolescents and young adults. He is the former Chairman of the Board for the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina.

Roberta DePompei, Ph.D.

She is Department Chairman, a Professor and Clinical Supervisor at the Speech and Hearing Center at the University of Akron in Ohio.

An advocate of the needs of youths with brain injuries and their families, she is on numerous national task forces and committees. Widely published and a national and international presenter, Dr. DePompei specializes in the impact of brain injury upon speech, language and communication. She is especially interested in developing transitional opportunities for youth as they progress through school and prepare for adulthood.

Tami Guerrier, B.S.

Ms Guerrier’s career experience includes providing services for individuals with brain injuries in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, as well as in the community, and in educational and vocational settings. She is currently the Coordinator and Principal Investigator for Project STAR at Carolinas Rehabilitation in Charlotte, NC. This program develops opportunities for individuals affected by brain injury in the community, assists individuals and families with accessing community resources, provides training for agencies on traumatic brain injury, develops brain injury prevention programs, and collects data on needs and service utilization. Ms Guerrier frequently presents at local, state, and national conferences on brain injury related topics.

Flora Hammond, M.D.

She Chairs the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Indiana University School of Medicine. Previously she was the Research Director and Brain Injury Program Director at Carolinas Rehabilitation in Charlotte, NC where she was Principal Investigator and Project Director of the Carolinas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System. Much of her research on traumatic brain injury has focused on outcome prediction, post-traumatic irritability, depression, relationships, and motor and cognitive recovery over time.

Harvey E. Jacobs, Ph.D.

Dr. Jacobs has special expertise in behavioral rehabilitation for individuals with neurological, psychiatric, medical and developmental disorders. He is a national leader and expert in the treatment of behavior disorders following brain injury. His innovative programs have addressed community integration, social support networks, vocational rehabilitation, behavioral rehabilitation, and psychiatric rehabilitation.

Marilyn Lash, M.S.W.

She is a Founding Partner and President at Lash and Associates Publishing/Training, Inc. in Wake Forest, NC. Author of many publications on the psychosocial impact of brain injury, her writing and training emphasize coping strategies for families and practical interventions by professionals and educators in hospitals, rehabilitation, schools and community programs. Ms. Lash is on various national task forces on brain injury and editorial boards of rehabilitation journals. She is the Past Chair of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina and current Chair of the North Carolina Statewide Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain Injury.

Carolyn Rocchio

As a spokesperson for families of survivors of brain injury and founder and past President of the Brain Injury Association of Florida, Carolyn Rocchio is internationally recognized for her compassion and expertise. Ms. Rocchio has written many articles for families and professionals on the consequences of brain injury and finding meaning in life after brain injury. Her list of achievements, honors and publications is lengthy. She is the voice of a mother who knows first hand about the compassion, endurance, hope and determination needed to move forward after brain injury.

Ron Savage, Ed.D.

Dr. Savage specializes in the impact of brain injury on behavior and learning in children, adolescents and young adults. His international recognition as author and presenter is based on practical experience as a rehabilitation clinician and educator.

Dr. Savage is also the Chairman and Co-Founder of the International Pediatric Brain Injury Society (IPBIS).

Lisa Selznick Gurdin, M.A.

Ms. Gurdin is a part-time lecturer at Northeastern University and former Chair of the American Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists (AACBIS) Board of Directors. Ms Gurdin is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and an AACBIS Certified Brain Injury Trainer.. Ms Gurdin worked at the May Institute, Inc. in Massachusetts for eight years where she managed research and training grants, developed and coordinated a company-wide mentoring program, and taught courses in applied behavior analysis. She also has extensive experience designing and implementing home and school-based behavioral programming for children and adolescents with autism and brain injury.

Heather Snyder, Ph.D.

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Snyder has a special interest in pediatric acquired brain injury and neuropsychological rehabilitation. Her inspiration for Elvin evolved from a clinical research project on pediatric brain injury that was conducted at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. She wanted to create an engaging forum for children who sustain a brain injury to enhance their understanding of the emotional and cognitive changes that they may experience.

Janet Tyler, Ph.D.

She is the Director of the Kansas State Department of Education’s Neurologic Disabilities Support Project, a statewide program that provides inservice training, consultation and technical assistance to educators serving students with traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Tyler also serves as an adjunct member of the Department of Special Education’s graduate faculty at the University of Kansas where she provides preservice training in traumatic brain injury. Since 1987, she has published, presented and consulted widely on educational issues related to traumatic brain injury.