Advances in Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Issues

Anna Diedesch is a Research Audiologist at the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR). Dr. Diedesch earned a bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science at Washington State University and an Au.D. at Wichita State University. She currently works with Dr. Marjorie Leek, Dr. Erick Gallun and colleagues at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on the study Central Auditory Processing Disorders Associated with Blast Exposure.

Ann Glang began her career as a researcher in 1987 after receiving her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Oregon. Combining her interests in Special Education and her commitment to the principles of effective instruction, Ann has designed and studied interventions aimed at developing effective strategies for helping teachers and families support children and adolescents with brain injuries.

George Johnson is a board certified preventive medicine physician with 28 years of experience in aerospace medicine, public health, deployment medicine, human performance optimization and health care policy. He retired as a highly decorated Air Force Colonel after 27 years of service. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters. Dr. Johnson frequently deployed to defend the United States including deployments to Southwest Asia in 1991 in support of Operation DESERT STORM, and in 2004 in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. During his Air Force Career, Dr Johnson worked as a flight surgeon, an instructor at the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, a squadron commander, a group commander and a deputy medical center commander. Dr. Johnson culminated his career as the Director of Force Readiness and Health Assurance, Force Health Protection and Readiness Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. In this position he was directly responsible for the health and medical support of all military members in deployed environments and contingency operations. He coordinated policies and directives with senior health care leaders in the three services, the Coast Guard, the reserve component, Veterans Affairs, and the civilian community. He also worked with allied partners to coordinate reciprocal healthcare agreements, and allow data collection/sharing. He analyzed laws, policies and directives and reported activities to congressional committees. Col. Johnson was born in Pleasant Hill, California. He has been married to Lynne Johnson for over 30 years and has 2 daughters, Rebecca and Courtney.

Muriel Deutsch Lezak is an American neuropsychologist best known for her book Neuropsychological Assessment, widely accepted as the standard in the field. She holds a bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Chicago, and earned a Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) from the University of Portland in 1960. Her work has centered on research into, assessment and rehabilitation of brain injury. Dr. Lezak is Emeritus Professor of Neurology at the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine. In 1996 she received the Distinguished Neuropsychologist Award from the US-based National Academy of Neuropsychology.

Judith Likavec Davis, MS began practicing as a speech-language pathologist at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center in Downey, California. Her distinguished career has included numerous publications and speaking engagements as well as employment across multiple settings: educational, acute care, rehab, outpatient, home health, community re-entry, SNF, and private practice. She currently serves as an AAC specialist consulting service and school districts. Her clinical focus has been on developing functional treatment programs and increasing functional communication skills and positive therapeutic outcomes.

Jennifer Wilhelm is a staff physical therapist specializing in neurological disorders in the rehabilitation department of Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Jennifer evaluates and treats a wide variety of balance disorder diagnoses including TBI and concussion. She has been active in the development of the concussion program over the last 2 years. Jennifer seeks to enhance clinical outcomes by actively participating in clinical research studies. She also participates in an intradisciplinary setting (Comprehensive Neuro Rehab Team, CNRT) to maximize the clients level of function.

Jeff Schlimgen received his Masters of Physical Therapy from University of Iowa. He has 11 years of clinical experience treating people with traumatic brain injury in multiple settings including acute, subacute, and outpatient rehabilitation. For the past 5 years, he has specialized in treatment of balance and vestibular disorders and is certified by the American Physical Therapy Association as a Neurological Clinical Specialist. He has given presentations on the effects of vestibular disorders on balance.