Northeast Center for Special Care Podcast

Impairments of Consciousness Part One - Introduction to the States of Consciousness Including the Vegetative State

Fri, 2 May 2008 06:55:29 -0400

Host: Gerry Brooks, MA, CCC, CBIST, Director of Brain Injury Programs, Northeast Center for Special Care

Guest: Nathan Zasler, MD, FAAPM&R, FAADEP, DAAPM, CIME, Medical Director, The Tree of Life Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center in Glen Allen, VA., Editor of the journal: "Brain Injury," and chairperson of the International Brain Injury Association.

Time: 32:25

Synopsis: Impairments of Consciousness and States of Consciousness Including the Vegetative State, is one that has been in the news over the past few years and one that has generated discussion not only with the public but also clinicians and professionals who specialize in treating brain injury. The question of individuals in a vegetative state was brought to the forefront with Terri Schaivo in 2005 and again recently with reports of enhanced arousal in some individuals in persistent vegetative states who had been given ambien.

Dr. Nathan Zasler discusses states of consciousness, coma, coma rating scales and gives an informative introduction to this topic.

Mothers Against Brain Injury

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 08:52:43 -0400

Host: Gerry Brooks, MA, CCC, CBIST, Director of Brain Injury Programs, Northeast Center for Special Care

Guest: Tracy East-Porter, founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Brain Injury

Time: 24:14

Synopsis: Tracy East-Porter is the mother of a teenage son who is a brain injury survivor. She discusses her experience of remaining with her son in the trauma center during those critical days after his injury. Ms. East-Porter explains what led her to found Mothers Against Brain Injury and the unique work performed by this organization.

Mothers Against Brain Injury provides tote bags to trauma centers in Florida which are given to families when their loved ones are admitted. The tote bags contain a number of essential items that are beneficial during that time.

A Pain in the Brain - The Problem of Headache After Traumatic Brain Injury

Sat, 2 Feb 2008 12:27:35 -0500

When Should TBI Rehabilitation be Discontinued?

Wed, 2 Jan 2008 08:35:11 -0500

Positive Behavioral Supports in Traumatic Brain Injury

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 11:14:58 -0500

Host: Gerry Brooks, MA, CCC, CBIST, Director of Brain Injury Programs, Northeast Center for Special Care

Guest: Thomas E. Pomeranz Ed.D., President and CEO of Universal LifeStiles, Indianapolis, IN.br />
Time: 31:42

Synopsis: Dr. Pomeranz discusses the use of positive behavioral supports with individuals who have a traumatic brain injury, antecedents such as environment, interactions, etc. Dr. Pomeranz talks about what the individual is communicating through behaviors and gain insight from that. Examples of positive behavioral supports are given. A frank and informative program with Dr. Pomeranz.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Substance Abuse

Thu, 1 Nov 2007 08:01:03 -0400

Host: Gerry Brooks, MA, CCC, CBIST, Director of Brain Injury Programs, Northeast Center for Special Care

Guest: F.R. Sparadeo, Ph.D., Director of the Rhode Island Traumatic Brain Injury Institute.

Time: 24:23

Synopsis: In this program the subject of substance abuse by individuals with TBI is discussed with Dr. Sparadeo, who is a noted clinical expert on this subject. Among the many topics in the program; Dr. Sparadeo discusses treatment and recovery, family support, and the effectiveness of twelve-step programs.

About Supplemental Needs Trusts

Thu, 1 Nov 2007 07:58:19 -0400

Host: Beth Faichney

Guest: Edward V. Wilcenski, Esq., co-owner and co-manager of the law firm of Jones & Wilcenski PLLC., with practices in the areas of Special Needs Estate Planning, Trust & Estate Administration, and Elder Law and Long Term Care Planning.

Time: 29:22

Synopsis: An informative discussion about trusts with the focus on supplemental needs trusts and their use for individuals with disabilities. Mr. Wilcenski takes the mystery out of trusts and provides valuable information.

What is Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 10:57:14 -0400

Host: Gerry Brooks, MA, CCC, CBIST, Director of Brain Injury Programs, Northeast Center for Special Care

Guest: Nathan Zasler, MD, FAAPM&R, FAADEP, DAAPM, CIME, Medical Director, The Tree of Life Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center in Glen Allen, VA., Editor of the journal: "Brain Injury," and chairperson of the International Brain Injury Association.

Time: 32:02

Synopsis: In this program the topic of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) is discussed with Dr. Zasler who is a noted clinical expert on this subject. A definition of MTBI is discussed and the question "is a concussion a traumatic brain injury," is answered by Dr. Zasler. Among the many considerations in the program are: "does a mild traumatic brain injury resolve on its own?" and "how soon can someone resume their normal activities." An informative conversation with Dr. Zasler.

Visual Rehabilitation After Traumatic Brain Injury

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 11:05:25 -0400

Host: Gerry Brooks, MA, CCC, CBIST

Guest: Rosamond Gianutsos, Ph.D., FAAO, CDRS, Neuropsychologist and Director of Cognitive Rehabilitation Services, in Sunnyside, NY.

Time: 33:48

Synopsis: This program is an overview of visual problems as result of a brain injury. Dr. Gianutsos gives an overview of the types of assessment, and rehabilitation for neurologically-based visual problems. The use of computers in rehabilitation is discussed as well. Dr. Gianutsos is a noted expert in this area and she presents an informative discussion.

Traumatic Brain Injury An Overview of the Signature Injury of the Iraq War

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:17:13 -0400

Host: Beth Faichney

Guests: Richard Hodder, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., Medical Director, Northeast Center for Special Care, Martin Stein, M.D., Physician, Northeast Center for Special Care.

Time: 26:19

Synopsis: A program that presents an overview of traumatic brain injury acquired in the Iraq War. Dr Hodder, who is a Retired Colonel (USAR) and Dr. Stein a retired Colonel in the Medical Corps discuss the differences between a closed injury and blast injury, how a brain injury is treated in the field and they take the listener through scenario of what happens when a soldier acquires a brain injury, acute care, and rehabilitation.

Concussion and Brain Injury

Fri, 5 Jan 2007 09:22:56 -0500

Host: Beth Faichney

Guests: Michael V. Kaplen, Esq, Attorney with a practice specializing in representing individuals with brain injury and President of the Brain Injury Association of New York State, Richard Hodder, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., Medical Director, Northeast Center for Special Care, JoAnne Ligouri RN, Northeast Center for Special Care and Facilitator of ThinkFirst of Lake Katrine.

Time: 36:33

Synopsis: A program about concussion, brain injury and prevention. Mr. Kaplen has been an outspoken critic of professional sports in the light of a recent series of concussions involving professional athletes and an advocate for safety and prevention. A strong case is presented by Mr. Kaplen for changes in protocols and assessment used in sports. Dr. Hodder discusses the health and medical aspect of concussion and Ms. Ligouri highlights the work in prevention education through a regional ThinkFirst program.

Helping People with Traumatic Brain Injury who have Cognitive and Behavioral Challenges at the Community Level

Mon, 6 Nov 2006 11:42:55 -0500

Host: Paul Scarpati, MS OTR/L

Guests: Joseph Abdulla, George Griffith, Karina Davis-Corr, Cortland Community Reentry Program

Time: 33:14

Synopsis: Individuals with traumatic brain injury can experience cognitive and behavioral challenges when reentering the community. Our guests discuss these challenges from a perspective of a community-based agency that supports individuals with TBI in independent residential settings and offers insight as to how people with brain injury are supported.

Providing Community Based Services to Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

Sat, 7 Oct 2006 12:07:51 -0400

Host: Paul Scarpati, MS OTR/L

Guests: Joseph Abdulla, George Griffith, Karina Davis-Corr, Cortland Community Reentry Program

Time: 28:40

Synopsis: New York State is recognized as a leader in the nation of providing community-based services to individuals with traumatic brain injury. Cortland Community Reentry Program has been providing those kinds of services for over seventeen years. Our guests discuss how people with TBI are supported in the community, the kinds of services that are available, the Medicaid Waiver and how one brain injury program uniquely serves their consumers in the most integrated setting.

Brain Mapping

Tue, 1 Aug 2006 10:58:29 -0400

Host: Paul Scarpati, MS OTR/L

Guest: Dr.Victor Zelek

Time: 22:00

Synopsis: Brain Mapping - what is it? What is QEEG? How does it work? What is a typical brain mapping session like? What do the results mean? How can brain mapping benefit individuals with traumatic brain injury? Interesting and informative information presented by Dr. Zelek.

Introduction to Traumatic Brain Injury

Tue, 4 Jul 2006 12:56:58 -0400

Host: Paul Scarpati, MS OTR/L

Guest: Gerry Brooks, MA, CCC, CBIST

Time: 26:17

Synopsis: This podcast is a basic overview of brain injury. Mr. Brooks discusses types of brain injury, causes, rehabilitation and treatment, prognosis and potential for community reentry for individuals with traumatic brain injury. Presented by Gerry Brooks, Brain Injury Program Director, Northeast Center for Special Care.

Neurofeedback

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:11:16 -0400

Host: Paul Scarpati, MS OTR/L

Guest: Dr.Victor Zelek
Time: 28:22

Synopsis: An overview of neurofeedback what it does, how is it used and who can benefit. Dr. Zelek discusses the kinds of equipment used, what is done during typical training sessions, and how neurofeedback is used with individuals with brain injury and other conditions. Presented by Dr. Victor Zelek, Director of Neuropsychology Services at Northeast Center for Special Care.

Choosing a Ventilator Weaning Program

Mon, 1 May 2006 13:12:08 -0400

Host: Paul Scarpati, MS OTR/L

Guests: Alicia Fredella, RRT, CBIS-CL, Thomas Harvie, RRT

Time: 27:56

Synopsis: A helpful discussion about how to choose a ventilator care and weaning program. Included is information about transferring a patient from an ICU to a care program, how to begin to find a program, how to assess ventilator programs, visiting potential programs and what questions to ask.

How to Wean Someone from a Ventilator

Fri, 7 Apr 2006 14:33:44 -0400

Host: Paul Scarpati, MS OTR/L

Guests: Alicia Fredella, RRT, CBIS-CL, Thomas Harvie, RRT

Time: 27:20

Synopsis: A discussion of the process of ventilator weaning. The listener is taken from admission to an understanding of the individual's of medical status, how the interdisciplinary team drives the treatment process. The conversation moves to the actual weaning itself and what happens afterwards. Individual and family supports are discussed and the listener is taken through the discharge planning process and finally the eventual return home.