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Making Headway Conference
2025 Making Headway Conference
Dive into our Making Headway conference, where expert speakers deliver dynamic sessions designed to inspire, educate, and empower you. Explore the lineup of presenters and their compelling topics below. The morning session is tailored for individuals with brain injuries, their families, and caregivers, offering valuable insights and support. In the afternoon, professionals can deepen their expertise and expand their knowledge through focused sessions.
Register and join us for our Annual Making Headway Conference!
- $30.00
* You can join as a member during the registration process to receive a discount. Not sure if you are a member or would like to become a member and receive the discount? Contact Megan at [email protected]
Limited space is available! Registration closes March 21.
Conference Sessions and Speakers
Morning Session
Focused on topics to assist persons with brain injury, family members, and caregivers.
Keynote Speaker
Time: 9-9:30 a.m.
Description: Session Description
Research Panel
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Description: Session Description
Cynthia R O’Donoghue, PhD, CCC-SLP
Ph.D., CCC-SLP, F-NAP is a Professor Emerita of Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University, Virginia. She has an adjunct professor appointment at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA. Dr. O’Donoghue continues to teach graduate courses and conduct research in neurogenic communication disorders. Notable affiliations have included National Advisory Council member for ETS PRAXIS for Speech-Language Pathologists, past Board of Trustees President for Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery, Inc., Vice-Chair of the Virginia Brain Injury Council, and voting membership in the
Dysphagia Research Society, Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences, American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine, and ASHA. Dr. O’Donoghue has also been awarded the Fellow in Scholarship from the National Academies of Practice (F-NAP).
Amol M. Karmarkar
Dr. Karmarkar is a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the Director of Research at Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI), a 114-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Dr. Karmarkar also has a secondary appointment at Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System (Richmond VA Medical Center). Dr. Karmarkar is a health services researcher, clinically trained as an Occupational Therapist, with advanced training in public health and Epidemiology. His research expertise is related to health services research, focusing on the utilization of health services in acute, post-acute, and community-based settings and the outcomes associated with receiving these services. Dr. Karmarkar utilizes Medicare, Medicaid, commercial claims, all-payer claims, Electronic Health Records from both civilians and Veterans for his research work.
Afternoon Session
Focused on topics to assist professionals.
Overview of the New ACRM Guidelines
Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Description: Session description
Nathan D. Zasler, MD, DABPM&R, FACRM, BIM, CBIST
Dr. Zasler is the Founder, CEO & and Medical Director of Concussion Care Centre of Virginia and the Founder and current Medical Director of Tree of Life in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Zasler is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), has a fellowship trained in brain injury rehabilitation, and is subspecialty certified in Brain Injury Medicine. He is an affiliate professor in the VCU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Richmond, VA, and a visiting professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. He is the Emeritus Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA). He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and authored over 60 book chapters. Dr. Zasler has published and lectured extensively on TBI-related neuromedical issues and has edited 8 textbooks, including “Brain Injury Medicine: Principals and Practice,” now in its third edition. He is chief editor of two international peer-reviewed journals: “Brain Injury” and “NeuroRehabilitation,” as well as chief editor of “Brain Injury Professional”. He serves on a number of professional boards and as a consultant to healthcare and biotech companies. Dr. Zasler serves as a reviewer for over 20 international peer-reviewed journals. He is active in local, national, and international organizations dealing with acquired brain injury and neurodisability, serving in numerous roles. He has received numerous scientific awards, repeatedly recognized by “Best Doctors,” and numerous community patient awards for his clinical services. Dr. Zasler is an advocate, educator, clinical researcher, inventor, entrepreneur, and busy practicing clinician involved with community-based neurorehabilitation, chronic post-trauma pain management, and health care consultation, both clinical and medicolegal.
Sharing Resources
Time: 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Description: Session description
Laurie Silva
Bio
Post Traumatic Amnesia – Improving the Rehab Experience Follwed by a Sheltering Arms Tour
Time: 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Description: Session description
Brie Kilmartin
Brianna “Brie” Kilmartin is a seasoned Recreation Therapist specializing in Brain Injury care. With over 15 years of experience, Brie has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life for people with behavioral and cognitive impairments. She graduated from Old Dominion University and has undergone extensive de-escalation, behavior management, and developmental impairments training. Brie serves as the Therapy Manager for Brain Injury Services at Sheltering Arms Institute. She helped found the Virginia State Therapeutic Recreation Association and served various roles on the board until 2022.
Annual Meeting, Advocacy Update, and Closing Remarks
Time: 4 p.m.
Description: To kick off this session, Joseph, the Board President of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia and a dedicated advocate for the brain injury community, will lead the update at our 2025 Annual Meeting. He will provide a comprehensive report on the association's current status, celebrate key achievements in 2024, and share his vision for 2025.
Joseph Cantor
Becky Bowers-Lanier
Becky is the President of B2L Consulting, LLC, specializing in consulting with healthcare and education non-profits on advocacy strategy and grassroots advocacy development. With over 20 years of experience as an advocacy consultant, Becky is also a Registered Nurse and has over 30 years of experience as a staff nurse, nurse educator, and program evaluator. She holds bachelor’s cum laude and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in public health from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a doctorate in higher education from the College of William & Mary.