In 2022, a group of community members came together to form the Brain Health Collective (BHC) to address the growing need for education, research and community outreach related to brain injuries and health. The BHC brings together leaders from education, healthcare and community-based organizations to improve care coordination, prevention and intervention strategies for individuals and families affected by neurological challenges.
Through strategic partnerships with local universities, agencies, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, educational service centers, foundations and families, the BHC has developed a regional action plan that can serve as a model statewide. The University of Dayton houses the BHC under the direction of Susan Davies, chair of the Department of Counselor Education and Human Services. A 20-member advisory board and four workgroups guide our work.
The Brain Health Collective has several research publications, a list of local and online brain health resources and a list of grant opportunities.
Areas of Focus
Our areas of focus include:
- Increasing access to care and ensuring health equity for individuals and families affected by a brain injury.
- Educating professionals across disciplines.
- Conducting interdisciplinary applied research.
- Bringing awareness to the community about brain health, and promoting related resources and events.
Advisory Board Members
- Erica Benfield, Ph.D.: Neuropsychologist (Dayton VA Medical Center)
- Dan Bennett, M.Ed.L.: Superintendent (Clark County Educational Service Center)
- Jen Bonifas, M.C.: Vice President, Program Services (Goodwill Easter Seals)
- Jim Christoffel, PT, DPT, NCS: Clinical Site Supervisor, Outpatient Neuro Rehabilitation (Premier Health)
- Corinne Daprano, Ph.D.: Interim Dean and Professor, School of Education and Health Sciences (University of Dayton)
- Susan Davies, Ed.D., NCSP: Professor and Chair, Dept. of Counselor Education and Human Services ( University of Dayton), Brain Health Collective Director
- Dennis Grant: CEO (United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton)
- Karen Gruenberg: Community Engagement Program Officer (The Dayton Foundation)
- Gwen Helton, LPCC-S, LCDC III: Dept. Chair, Mental Health and Addiction Services (Sinclair Community College)
- Beth Hutter, MA: Vice President (Miami Valley Hospital Foundation)
- Scott Kidd, Psy.D.: Director, Clinical and Behavior Support Services (Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services)
- Rebecca Majszak, MS, OTR/L: Occupational Therapist (Kettering Medical Center)
- Colleen Oakes, M.A., OCPS: Division Director, Strategic Initiatives and Communications (Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services [ADAMHS])
- Tony Ortiz, M.Ed.: Board member (The Dayton Foundation), Senior Lecturer Emeritus (Wright State University)
- Jenness Sigman, M.S Ed.: Board Member (Play4Payne Foundation)
- Brian Springer, M.D.: Professor, Vice Chair, Director of Division of Tactical Emergency Medicine (Wright State University Department of Emergency Medicine)
- Kathy Stachowski, OTR/L, CBIST: Occupational Therapist, Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (Ohio Brain Injury Advisory Committee)
- David Sullivan, M.Ed.: Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor Opportunities (Ohioans with Disabilities)
- Fadi Tayim, Ph.D.: Clinical Neuropsychologist and Division Chief, Brain Mapping Center (Premier Health Clinical Neuroscience Institute)
- Shobhan Vachhrajani, M.D., Ph.D., FRCSC: Pediatric Neurosurgeon (Dayton Children's Hospital)
Community Partners
- Brain Injury Association of Ohio
- Cedarville University
- Clark County Educational Service Center
- The Dayton Foundation
- Dayton Performing Arts Alliance
- Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
- Greater Dayton Athletic Trainers' Association
- Greater Dayton Brain Health Foundation
- Kettering Health
- Labyrinth Physical Therapy & Wellness
- Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board
- Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services
- Ohio Brain Injury Program
- Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
- Play4Payne Foundation
- Sinclair Community College
- Smith Brain Connections, Inc.
- United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton
- University of Dayton
Student Involvement
Graduate and undergraduate students have the opportunity to get involved with the Brain Health Collective to learn more about brain health/brain injury and find research opportunities in these areas. If you're a student looking to get involved with the BHC, please contact brainhealth@udayton.edu.
Current Graduate Assistant: Maddie Pohl
- Maddie is a first-year student in the University of Dayton's school psychology graduate program. She is also the graduate assistant for Dr. Susan Davies, working to facilitate various projects for the Brain Health Collective.
Examples of Student Work
- Kamyrn Magee's project gauges the perceptions of individuals within the school community regarding traumatic brain injury resources and how such resources could be improved in the future. Barriers and facilitators of accessible brain injury resource support will also be addressed.
- Emma Braden's project evaluates public engagement with social media related to brain injuries. Her work was supported through a grant from The Child Injury Action Group (CIAG), a subgroup of the Ohio Department of Health.
- Angela Kladias's project is entitled The Impact of Interdisciplinary Supports on Quality of Life for Young Adults With Concussions. It examines interdisciplinary supports for young adults who have sustained a concussion. Barriers and facilitators to obtaining concussion treatment and reintegration back into college and/or work will also be addressed.
-
Emilie Miller Yoder's project is entitled Experiences of Rural Caregivers in Care Coordination for Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). It involves examining experiences of rural caregivers in care coordination for students with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Barriers and facilitators of care coordination support, particularly in under-resourced rural regions, will be addressed.
