Kessler Foundation Podcasts

Latest Episodes:

The Importance of Physical Activity after TBI Dec 31, 2024

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In this podcast, Irene Ward, PT, DPT, and Kayla Kautz, PT, neurological physical therapy experts, discuss how healthcare professionals can support individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) by helping them access resources that encourage physical activity to improve health, fitness, and overall well-being. They address common barriers after TBI, such as limited accessibility, transportation, cost, and cognitive challenges, and stress the importance of communication, identifying individual needs, and finding creative solutions for staying active. The speakers suggest setting specific goals and using community support groups as strategies to overcome obstacles and highlight several fitness programs in New Jersey tailored for individuals with neurological conditions. To learn more, visit: Irene Ward, PT, DPT, clinical research coordinator for the Brain Injury Program at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation https://www.neuropt.org/about-us/leadership Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research at Kessler Foundation: https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-traumatic-brain-injury Health promotion and wellness resource for clinicians and individuals with TBI: https://www.neuropt.org/practice-resources/health-promotion-and-wellness ======================================== Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. Be sure to subscribe to our SoundCloud channel “KesslerFoundation” for more research updates. Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram. Listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast was recorded on September 24, 2024, and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Navigating Life After Traumatic Brain Injury Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

In this podcast, Erica Weber, PhD, a research scientist at Kessler Foundation, assembled a panel of experts to share their experiences, insights, and advice to help individuals navigate the complex issues they may encounter following a brain injury or neurological condition. The speakers emphasize the need for individuals and families to educate themselves on community resources and comprehensive planning options to ensure they can access the support they need to live fulfilling lives. The panelists include Adria DeSimone, a vocational counselor at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Christine Chickadel, a New Jersey ABLE Program Representative, and Ellen Nalvin, the executive director of the Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey. For more information, visit: Erica Weber, PhD: https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Erica%20Weber Kessler Foundation’s Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research: https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-traumatic-brain-injury New Jersey ABLE Alliance: https://savewithable.com/nj/home.html Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey: https://plannj.org/ Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation: https://www.kessler-rehab.com/about-us/ ======================================== Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. Be sure to subscribe to our SoundCloud channel “KesslerFoundation” for more research updates. Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram. Listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast was recorded on September 24, 2024, and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Traumedy-How I Turned My Brain Injury into a Punch Line with Mimi Hayes Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

Read the transcript at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-11/traumedy-how-i-turned-my-brain-injury-into-a-punch-line-with-mimi-hayes-transcript.pdf Mimi Hayes, a comedian and author, shares her inspiring story of turning a traumatic brain injury at age 22 into comedic material. Despite the seriousness of her condition, she found humor in her experiences, using stand-up comedy to process her trauma and connect with audiences. Despite facing challenges like sensitivity to sound and light, she pursued her passions; writing a book and doing stand-up comedy. Through her honest and relatable storytelling, Mimi demonstrates how laughter and a positive mindset can be powerful tools for overcoming life's challenges, even in the face of a debilitating injury. She also shares sobering statistics about brain aneurysms, the importance of advocating for proper medical care, and highlighted the power of community support for TBI survivors. For more information, visit: Mimi Hayes: https://mimihayes.com/#about Kessler Foundation’s Center for Traumatic Injury Research: https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-traumatic-brain-injury This was a free event sponsored The Northern NJ Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, Kessler Foundation, and Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation (Select Medical) ======================================== Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. Be sure to subscribe to our SoundCloud channel “KesslerFoundation” for more research updates. Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram. Listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast was recorded on September 24, 2024, and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Look Closer. My Brain Injury Is Invisible with Stacia Bissell, MEd Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

Read the transcript at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/2024%20KesslerFoundation-Summer-Brainstorm_Look%20Closer.%20My%20Brain%20Injury%20Is%20Invisible-V2-TRANSCRIPT.pdf Stacia Bissell, MEd, shares an inspiring story of overcoming the challenges of her traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained 13 years ago. In her presentation, “Look Closer. My Brain Injury Is Invisible,” she discusses the profound impact the TBI had on her life, forcing her to adapt to a new reality and embrace her identity as a survivor. Despite these difficulties, Stacia found ways to thrive by pursuing roles as a brain injury coach, mentor, and advocate. Her resilience and determination to find a "healing process with no end" serve as an example for others navigating life after TBI. Stacia's powerful story sheds light on the invisible nature of brain injuries and the importance of building a supportive community for survivors and caregivers. The presentation, part of the quarterly virtual speaker Brainstorm series, is sponsored by the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System and Kessler Foundation. It was recorded on Thursday, August 20, 2024. View more Brainstorm speaker series videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL21CEB6CAC402EA50

Einat Engel-Haber, MD, Discusses Evolving Definitions and Challenges of Central Cord Syndrome Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

Read the transcription at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Einat%20Engel-Haber%2C%20MD%2C%20Discusses%20Evolving%20Definitions%20and%20Challenges%20of%20Central%20Cord%20Syndrome_Transcription.pdf In this podcast, presented by the Northern NJ Spinal Cord Injury Model System series, Einat Engel-Haber, MD, discusses the challenges of accurately defining and understanding central cord syndrome (CCS). CCS is the most common and controversial spinal cord injury that primarily affects the upper extremities. Dr. Engel-Haber is an associate research scientist in the Tim and Caroline Reynolds Center for Spinal Stimulation. She supports the need for a more precise definition, as the demographics and understanding of CCS have changed over time. The lack of a consistent definition for CCS has led to significant variability in reported incidence rates across studies, ranging from 6% to 32% of all traumatic spinal cord injuries. Dr. Engel-Haber also notes that within the incomplete tetraplegia population, the incidence of CCS can be as high as 70%. She outlines plans to review the existing literature, propose new definitions, and summarize the importance of this work for both research and clinical practice. To lean more about: Dr. Einat Engel-Haber at https://kesslerfoundation.org/about-us/foundation-staff/einat-engel-haber-md Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research at Kessler Foundation, visit https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-spinal-cord-injury-research Spinal stimulation research at Kessler Foundation https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/tim-and-caroline-reynolds-center-spinal-stimulation Follow along with the presentation slides at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Defining%20and%20Decoding%20Central%20Cord%20Syndrome-Nov%202023_EHABER.pdf ============================================== Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. Be sure and subscribe to our SoundCloud channel “KesslerFoundation” for more research updates. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast was recorded in November 2023 and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Acquire In-Depth Knowledge on a New SCI Personal Caregiver Course Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Subject matter experts discuss how and why a new, online education class, “Understanding Spinal Cord Injury: A Course for Personal Care Assistants,” was created. The course introduces learners to the physical and emotional experience of individuals living with SCI and offers suggestions for building positive working relationships. Course content was created with guidance from individuals who have real-world experience with SCI, focus groups, and support from various organizations. Free to the public, the course’s goal is to increase knowledge about SCI, improve communication between clients and assistants, and enhance quality of care. Jeanne Zanca, MPT, PhD, Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD, and Denise Fyffe, PhD, scientific researchers from the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research at Kessler Foundation describe the course development process and subject matter included. Learn more about this course at https://kesslerfoundation.org/understanding-spinal-cord-injury-course-personal-care-assistants To enroll in this free online course, visit: https://bit.ly/understandingSCI Learn more about: Jeanne Zanca, MPT, PhD - https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Jeanne-Zanca e-mail Address: jzanca@kesslerfoundation.org Denise Fyffe, PhD - https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Denise%20Fyffe Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD - https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Trevor%20Dyson-Hudson Read the accompanying PowerPoint presentation at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/UnderstandingSCI_NNJSCIS_Lecture_2023.pdf Read the transcript at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/Acquire%20In-Depth%20Knowledge%20on%20a%20New%20SCI%20Personal%20Caregiver%20Course%20%E2%80%93%20Transcript.pdf This lecture was presented by Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Systems, Kessler Foundation, and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, a Select Medical hospital, and supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SIMS0012). ======================================== Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. Be sure to subscribe to our SoundCloud channel “KesslerFoundation” for more research updates. Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram. Listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast was recorded remotely on October 12, 2023, and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Lisa Ottomanelli, PhD: Combining Vocational Rehabilitation with Clinical Care for SCI Survivors May 06, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to this 2024 Kessler Foundation Baird Visiting Educational Professorship Lecture podcast. Lisa Ottomanelli, PhD, a prominent researcher in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) and disabilities, was a featured speaker at the 2023 Kessler Foundation Baird Visiting Educational Professorship. Her work primarily revolves around implementing and assessing evidence-based strategies aimed at establishing employment opportunities and facilitating community reintegration for veterans with SCI and other disabilities. In this podcast, she discussed the effectiveness of standardized evidence-based approaches that combine vocational rehabilitation with clinical care, highlighting their potential to enhance quality of life and foster competitive employment. Dr. Ottomanelli shared findings from two studies conducted in collaboration with the VA examining vocational rehabilitation in SCI. She also detailed key strategies for enhancing outcomes and implementing the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model into clinical rehabilitation to help people with SCI find competitive employment in their communities. Currently, Dr. Ottomanelli is an associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at the University of South Florida and a clinical psychologist at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics in Tampa, FL. The Baird Lecture Series educates the next generation of researchers on innovative medical rehabilitation research and treatment options. For more information on Lisa Ottomanelli, PhD, https://www.cindrr.research.va.gov/CINDRRRESEARCH/investigators_staff/lisa_ottomanelli.asp SCI research at Kessler Foundation https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-spinal-cord-injury-research ================================ Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. Be sure and subscribe to our SoundCloud channel “KesslerFoundation” for more research updates. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast was recorded in October 2023 and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

RealTalk MS Interview: Cognitive Rehabilitation and MS with Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD Mar 01, 2024

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Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, is a widely recognized leader in cognitive rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury at Kessler Foundation. Here are excerpts from her 2023 interview with Jon Strum, RealTalk MS. For more information about Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director, https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Nancy%20Chiaravalloti Cognitive rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation modified story Memory Technique, https://kesslerfoundation.org/researchcenter-neuropsychology-and-neuroscience-research/ms/multiple-sclerosis Listen to the full episode at https://realtalkms.com/episode-328-cognitive-rehabilitation-and-ms-with-dr-nancy-chiaravalloti Read the transcript, https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/RealTalk%20MS%20Interview_Cognitive%20Rehabilitation%20and%20MS%20with%20Nancy%20Chiaravalloti-PhD-TRANSCRIPT.pdf To learn more, you can listen to Jon Strum's podcast each week as he breaks down the latest multiple sclerosis news and research that may impact MS treatments. https://realtalkms.com/ Use by permission: REAL TALKS MS

What is cognitive rehabilitation? Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Read the transcript at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/What%20is%20cognitive%20rehabilitation-TRANSCRIPT.pdf Expertly Explained: Insights with Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, is a widely recognized leader in cognitive rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury at Kessler Foundation. Here are excerpts from her 2023 interview with Jon Strum, RealTalk MS. For more information about Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director, https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Nancy%20Chiaravalloti Cognitive rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation modified story Memory Technique, https://kesslerfoundation.org/researchcenter-neuropsychology-and-neuroscience-research/ms/multiple-sclerosis Listen to the full episode at https://realtalkms.com/episode-328-cognitive-rehabilitation-and-ms-with-dr-nancy-chiaravalloti To learn more, you can listen to Jon Strum's podcast each week as he breaks down the latest multiple sclerosis news and research that may impact MS treatments. https://realtalkms.com/ Use by permission: REAL TALKS MS

What is the modified Story Memory Technique (KF-mSMT) protocol? Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Read the transcript at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/What%20is%20the%20modified%20Story%20Memory%20Technique%20%28KF-mSMT%29%20protocol-TRANSCRIPT.pdf Expertly Explained: Insights with Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, is a widely recognized leader in cognitive rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury at Kessler Foundation. Here are excerpts from her 2023 interview with Jon Strum, RealTalk MS. For more information about Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director, https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Nancy%20Chiaravalloti Cognitive rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation modified story Memory Technique, https://kesslerfoundation.org/researchcenter-neuropsychology-and-neuroscience-research/ms/multiple-sclerosis Listen to the full episode at https://realtalkms.com/episode-328-cognitive-rehabilitation-and-ms-with-dr-nancy-chiaravalloti To learn more, you can listen to Jon Strum's podcast each week as he breaks down the latest multiple sclerosis news and research that may impact MS treatments. https://realtalkms.com/ Use by permission: REAL TALKS MS

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