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Annual Conference

Spring Fling

Tips Up for the Troops

AACBIS Training

Board of Director Meetings

Golfing Events

LAPS Walk

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Sunday, March 9, 2008
4:30 - 8:30pm

Congratulations to the following 2008 Legacy Award Recipients

Community Service & Leadership Award

Thomas J. Constand

Jim & Kiki Constand instilled in their son the value of service, community, and family. Tom continues to weave these values into his work. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management from Michigan State University.

Tom is a principal in the firm of StarrConstand Business Communications. He actively counsels clients in specific areas of strategic communications planning, brand development, event marketing, sponsorship portfolio management and public, media and community relations.

His passion and commitment to the cause of brain injury has had an enormous impact. Tom believes that we all need to be advocates for those affected by brain injury. He has written talking points that have been used across the nation to help leaders and policy makers understand the heart-wrenching nature of traumatic brain injury. His hard work has paid off and he has been a big part in moving the awareness movement forward.

Tom serves on the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of America and is Vice-Chairperson for Program Outcomes. He played an integral role in the development of the LAPS Walk for the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. His volunteer service extends to other boards such as the Economic Club of Detroit. Tom was influential in the development of materials that were used to secure Super Bowl XL and the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four for the City of Detroit.

His family is very important. Tom has been married to Debbie for twenty-eight years and they have two beautiful children, Thomas and Stephanie. He thanks his parents and sister, Tina for all their love and encouragement.

Professional Service Award

Heidi Reyst, Ph.D.

Harvey & Sally Reyst taught Heidi at a young age the importance of working hard. Their commitment to a solid work ethic definitely shaped Heidi into the person she is today. Her parents made sacrifices to assure that Heidi had the education, experiences and skills to be successful in life.

Heidi attributes her growth as a person to the stellar education that she received at Kalamazoo College.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kalamazoo College. Her Master of Philosophy and Doctorate in Applied Social Psychology were earned at The George Washington University.

Presently, Heidi is the Systems Director for Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers. She has held various positions at Rainbow beginning her career as a Rehabilitation Assistant. As a leader, Heidi emphasizes collaboration, trust, and empathy. Heidi works diligently to help those whose lives and dreams have been irrevocably changed due to their injuries.

Volunteer service is something that Heidi does not shy away from. She carefully chooses activities where she feels her contributions will make a difference. The Brain Injury Association of Michigan has benefited from Heidi’s talents at the Annual Conference, Golf Outings and Legacy Society Dinners. It is not uncommon to see Heidi using her photography skills to capture special memories at events. In addition, Heidi is an active member of BIA of America’s American Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists (AACBIS) governing board. She was instrumental in the development of the Essential Brain Injury Guide, designed an AACBIS lapel pin and has written several issues of the AACBIS newsletter.

Heidi thanks her parents for being great role models and for their love.

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Live, Love, Work In My Community

Three statewide seminars! The purpose of this one-day conference is to learn new strategies for living well. This conference is designed for people with brain injury, and their families.

June 6th in Lansing

June 13th in Grand Rapids

June 20th in Farmington

Click here to download the scholarship form (PDF)

Click here to download the registration brochure (PDF)

Click here to download the speakers' application (PDF)

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Spring Fling!

Date: May 3, 2008

Generously hosted by the Fent Family, BIAMI members and proprietors of the Best Western in Birch Run, a pizza party lunch kicks off the beginning of the Spring Fling!

The Spring Fling provides people with brain injuries and their family an opportunity to gather and socialize with other members from around the state. The day and evening are loosely structured in order to accommodate everyone. Hotel accommodations are at the Best Western in Birch Run, just off I-75. Shopping takes place at the Prime Outlet Mall in Birch Run and in the quaint German community of Frankenmuth.

“Tips-Up for the Troops”
Charity Troop Appreciation Event
Kensington Metropark, Brighton, Michigan
Saturday, June 14th, 2008

The 2nd Annual “Tips-Up” Charity Veteran’s Appreciation event is an opportunity for us all to gather and say “Thankyou” to some Michigan Veterans who serve our nation. Please join us in a day of celebration with food, fun, entertainment, and games. Proceeds will go to benefit the Brain Injury Association of Michigan Veteran’s Program to help our returning combatants. Registration material coming soon!

Annual Conference

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Certified Brain Injury Specialist!

Education has always been a core component of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan’s mission and vision. In October 2003, the Brain Injury Association of Michigan began a program with the American Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists (AACBIS) to bring the certification to Michigan brain injury professionals.

The AACBIS program provides recognition of advanced studies in brain injury services. Certification is not restricted to any one profession or discipline. It is intended for anyone who delivers services specific to brain injury. The Michigan AACBIS program has provided direct input into the national AACBIS program and has become a model for other state associations in creating this program. Each applicant receives a personal phone call regarding the examination results. Future progress is monitored to ensure a timely recertification process. Continuing education credits are tracked for those attending the Annual Conferences.

We offer the Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Level I five-hour review course and proctored examinations. The course is a review of highlights and key points only. Individual preparation is a prerequisite for participation. All attendees must be pre-approved. The Training Manual is no longer available for download. Call the BIAMI office for more information. For materials, click the appropriate link below:

CBIS - Certified Brain Injury Specialist

• CBIS Application – Download form for those applying for Level ! Certification
• CBIS Renewal Form – Download form for renewing your Brain Injury Specialist Certification

CBIST - Certified Brain Injury Specialist TRAINER

• CBIST Application – Download form for those applying to be a Certified Brain Injury Specialist TRAINER
• CBIST Renewal Form – Download form for renewing your Brain Injury Specialist TRAINER Certification

General Information

• Demographic Form – to update your contact information
• CBIS or CBIT Renewal Process w/CEU requirements – This document explains the CEU requirements and gives you a place to keep track of your CEUs and the different sources of approved CEU types. CBIS must have 12 CEUs in 2 years, in two formats. CBIST must have 24 CEUs in 2 years, in two formats. THIS FORM IS NOT TO BE TURNED IN WITH RENEWAL APPLICATIONS.

The Association is grateful to our core team of volunteer Certified Brain Injury Trainers and their organizations for their commitment to education:

• Lynn Brouwers, MS, CRC, CBIST
  Spectrum Health Continuing Care
• Cindy Barrus, PT, MM, CBIST
  Spectrum Health Continuing Care
• Carol Green, OTR, CBIST
  The Lakeland Center
• Carol Greenburg, MS, CSW, CBSIT
  Spectrum Health Continuing Care
• Michael O’Connor, OTR, CBIST
  Hope Network Rehabilitation Services
• Heidi Reyst, PhD, CBIST
  Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers, Inc
• Martin Waalkes, PhD, CBIST
  Hope Network Rehabilitation Services

More and more professional members of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan are undergoing the training. Indeed, one out of five Brain Injury Specialists in the U.S. are members of our Association.

IMPORTANT! 2008 Training & Examination Dates

Board of Director Meetings

February 9th
May 3rd at Best Western during the Spring Fling
June 14th
September 13th
November 8th

Members welcome to attend - Please call in advance

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Golf!

East Golf Outing

25th Annual Eastern Grand Invitational Golf Outing
Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Click here to download the full registration brochure

Join us at the Brain Injury Association of Michigan's 25th Annual Eastern Grand Invitational Golf Outing. Each year, for the past twenty-four years, this golf outing has been one of our major fundraising events to benefit the Association. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and all of its statewide chapters.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008
10:00 AM Shotgun Start
The Inn at St. John's (formerly St. John's Golf & Conference Center)
Plymouth, Michigan

 
West Golf Outing

17th Annual Harvey Lexus Champions for Charity Golf Outing
Thursday, July 24, 2008

Click here to download the full registration brochure

Join us at the 17th Annual Harvey Lexus Champions for Charity Golf Outing. Each year, for the past 16 years, this golf outing has been one of our major fundraising events to benefit the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. The proceeds from the Western Michigan Regional Golf Outing will benefit the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and its three Western Michigan Chapters in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Muskegon.

Opportunities to win:

• $1,000 in cash
• Laptop computer
• Lexus Weekend Package
• 50+ raffle prizes

July 24, 2008
10:00 am Shotgun Start
8:30 am Registration
Boulder Creek Golf Club
Belmont, Michigan
(Just 10 minutes North of Grand Rapids)

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LAPS Walk

After three years of successfully uniting TBI survivors, family members and NASCAR fans, LAPS Walk Michigan is taking a hiatus.  2007 truly marked a turning point for LAPS Walk as we embraced the theme of “Helmets and Heroes” to honor members of our armed forces who have sustained TBIs while serving our country.  That said, in order to best honor the challenges that all TBI survivors face, military and civilian alike, and to hold an event that maximizes the benefit to those survivors, the LAPS Walk Team is choosing to reassess the event’s path for success. 
 
Ernie Irvan and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and dedication.  Because of you and others like you, LAPS Walk has made great strides in the cause of TBI awareness and prevention and has laid the foundation for greater success to come.  It is our sincere hope that you will continue to support TBI related initiatives in the absence of LAPS Walk.  Please contact the Brain Injury Association of Michigan to learn the other ways you can help us in the prevention and treatment of TBI in America.