Welcome Message from David King • 40th Annual Conference Schedule • Breakout Track Description
Information and Directions • Downloadable Registration Form • Online Registration •
Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Information • Cancellation Policy •
Welcome to the 40th Annual Conference for Professionals in Brain Injury! It's a privilege to have you join us for this special milestone as we celebrate four decades of progress in brain injury care, research, and support. Over the past 40 years, brain injury research has made groundbreaking advancements that have fundamentally changed how we understand and treat brain injuries. From utilizing advanced imaging techniques like fMRI and PET scans to identify subtle brain changes, to discovering genetic factors that influence susceptibility and recovery, our knowledge of brain injury has grown exponentially. In the 1980s, the chronic nature of traumatic brain injury, its long-lasting effects on cognition, behavior, and quality of life, was only starting to be acknowledged, much less understood. From the 1990s, Bush's "Decade of the Brain" to the revelations of concussion impact and its link to dementia, a massive sea change has occurred in how we've studied, acknowledged and understood brain injury.
The progress we've seen is a direct result of the collective efforts within this community. Whether it's exploring novel treatment options like neuroprotective agents or developing personalized rehabilitation approaches tailored to individual needs, each discovery brings us closer to improving the lives of those affected by brain injury. We are honored to have you here to celebrate and build upon these advancements together, strengthening our shared mission of enhancing care, support, and research for those impacted by brain injury.
This year, we've introduced Tracks to help you navigate the conference and focus on the areas most relevant to your work. A highlight of the conference is Dr. Carolyn Lemsky’s keynote presentation, "Substance Use and Brain Injury: You Know More Than You Think." Dr. Lemsky will delve into a critical topic that intersects with several of our Tracks, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in addressing substance use among individuals with brain injuries.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our sponsors for their continued support. Your partnership is what makes this event possible. As we celebrate 40 years of research and progress, it's clear that this is just the beginning. The future of brain injury research, especially with funding challenges ahead, requires us to stay closely connected and share ideas, developments, and strategies. It's vital that we continue to collaborate, never forgetting that it is the public who ultimately stands to benefit from our combined expertise and collective efforts. Thank you for joining us in this important mission and for helping to shape the future of brain injury care and research.
Thank you for joining us,
David King, Chief Executive Officer
Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance/Minnesota Stroke Association
