The Brain Injury Association of Louisiana / United Spinal Association of Louisiana is proud to present our 16th annual conference... THE POWER OF WE. This two day conference brings healthcare professionals from around the state together to hear fantastic presentations from speakers around Louisiana and the country. Expand your knowledge, while earning CEUs, and network with vendors and likeminded professionals in your industry. 12 pre-approved CEUs have been applied for with LPTA*, LOTA*, CCMC, SW**, CRCC*, LPC***, and LBESPA (ST). Other attendees will receive a CEU certificate to submit themselves. Individuals with brain and/or spinal cord injuries and caregivers are also invited to attend the conference to hear the medical presentations and/or attend Survivor Day which will be on Saturday, March 29th. Survivor Day will offer specific presentations for individuals living with brain and/or spinal cord injuries. Our exhibit hall will be filled with companies and organizations sharing the latest resources, products, and services for people with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and mobility impairments. We will also offer a complementary Networking Social at the close of the conference in the exhibit hall on Friday, March 28th.
*12 CEUs approved for PT, OT, CRCC
*11.5 CEUs approved for SW
*12.5 CEUs approved for LPC
*12 CEUs approved for PT, OT, CRCC
*11.5 CEUs approved for SW
*12.5 CEUs approved for LPC
Location
Doubletree Hilton New Orleans Airport
2150 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062
2150 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062
Date & Time
March 28, 2025: 7:30 AM - 4:30 pm
March 29, 2025 : 7:30 AM - 4:15 PM
March 29, 2025 : 7:30 AM - 4:15 PM
Hotel Accommodations at the
Doubletree by Hilton New Orleans Airport
Doubletree by Hilton New Orleans Airport
To reserve a room, visit:
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/brain-injury-association-la-march2025/
or Call (504) 467-3111 (and mention BIALA Conference)
Complimentary Hot Breakfast for Two & Complimentary Parking for hotel guests
Conference Rate: $149.00 plus tax/night
Hotel will sell out so book early. Accessible rooms available until sold out.
Rate Cutoff: 2/25/25
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/brain-injury-association-la-march2025/
or Call (504) 467-3111 (and mention BIALA Conference)
Complimentary Hot Breakfast for Two & Complimentary Parking for hotel guests
Conference Rate: $149.00 plus tax/night
Hotel will sell out so book early. Accessible rooms available until sold out.
Rate Cutoff: 2/25/25
Schedule for Friday, March 28
7:30 - 8:00 am
Registration / Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 - 8:15 am
Welcome / Brief Comments
8:15 - 9:15 am
Empowering Independence: The Impact of AI and Assistive Technology
Presenter: Kimberly Pace, MBE, ATP, RET, CEAC
Presenter: Kimberly Pace, MBE, ATP, RET, CEAC
9:15 - 10:15 am
Concurrent Sessions:
Closed Head Brain Injury: Prognosis and Outcomes
Presenter: Lauren Woodruff Rasmussen, PsyD, ABN
Integrated Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): Theory and Practical Applications for Clinic and Home
Presenter: Laurie A. Magerfleisch PT, DPT
Closed Head Brain Injury: Prognosis and Outcomes
Presenter: Lauren Woodruff Rasmussen, PsyD, ABN
Integrated Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): Theory and Practical Applications for Clinic and Home
Presenter: Laurie A. Magerfleisch PT, DPT
10:15-10:45
am
am
Break / Exhibit Hall Open
10:45AM-12:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions:
Working Through Recovery: How to Target and Improve Executive Functioning Skills in Post-TBI Recovery
Presenters: Sarah White, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS and McKayla Smith, Esq.
New Developments in Gait Training in SCI and TBI
Presenter: Rachel Wellons, PT, DPT, NCS
Working Through Recovery: How to Target and Improve Executive Functioning Skills in Post-TBI Recovery
Presenters: Sarah White, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS and McKayla Smith, Esq.
New Developments in Gait Training in SCI and TBI
Presenter: Rachel Wellons, PT, DPT, NCS
12:00 - 1:00 Pm
Lunch / Exhibit Hall Open
1:00 - 1:15 PM
Unmasking Brain Injury
A Special Performance by Tulane's Department of Theatre &
Dance Documentary Theatre Class
A Special Performance by Tulane's Department of Theatre &
Dance Documentary Theatre Class
1:15 - 2:30 PM
From Physical Rehabilitation to Physical Wellness: Promoting Lifelong Physical Activity for People with Neurologic Conditions
Presenters: Anna Naiki PT, DPT, Gabrielle "Gabi" Diaz PT, DPT and Quanteria Williams-Porche, PT, DPT
Presenters: Anna Naiki PT, DPT, Gabrielle "Gabi" Diaz PT, DPT and Quanteria Williams-Porche, PT, DPT
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Break / Exhibit Hall Open
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions:
Enhancing Positivity and Functional Recovery After Brain Injury
Presenter: Gary Seale, PhD
Powerwheel: A Team Approach to Functional Outcomes with Power Mobility
Presenter: Thomas Halka, OTR, ATP
Enhancing Positivity and Functional Recovery After Brain Injury
Presenter: Gary Seale, PhD
Powerwheel: A Team Approach to Functional Outcomes with Power Mobility
Presenter: Thomas Halka, OTR, ATP
4:30 Pm
Door Prizes Announced /
Networking Social in Exhibit Hall
Networking Social in Exhibit Hall
Schedule for Saturday, March 29
7:30 - 8:00 AM
Registration / Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 - 8:15 AM
Welcome / Brief Comments
8:15 - 9:15
AM
AM
Concurrent Sessions:
Multidisciplinary Approaches to Screening and Assessment Post TBI
Presenter: Thomas W. Brown, BS, CBIST
Bridging the Gaps: Leveraging Technology to Improve Post-Discharge Care in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Presenter: Abbie Ruppel, PT, DPT, NCS
Multidisciplinary Approaches to Screening and Assessment Post TBI
Presenter: Thomas W. Brown, BS, CBIST
Bridging the Gaps: Leveraging Technology to Improve Post-Discharge Care in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Presenter: Abbie Ruppel, PT, DPT, NCS
9:15 - 10:30 AM
Teamwork Makes the Rehabilitation Process Work
Presenters: April Bretz, PT, ATP and Panel
Presenters: April Bretz, PT, ATP and Panel
10:30 - 11:00 AM
Break / Exhibit Hall Open
11:00 - 12:00 PM
Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation
Presenters: Howard T. Katz, MD and Virginia Gentry, AGNP-C, FNP-C
Presenters: Howard T. Katz, MD and Virginia Gentry, AGNP-C, FNP-C
12:00 - 12:45
PM
PM
Lunch / Exhibit Hall Open / Door Prizes
12:45 - 1:45 PM
Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Integration: A Team Approach to Patient-Centered Care for Neurological Disorders in Outpatient Clinics
Presenters: Heather Barber, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS and Kelly Jerolleman, LCSW
Presenters: Heather Barber, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS and Kelly Jerolleman, LCSW
1:45 - 3:00
PM
PM
Intersection Between Brain Injuries and Behavioral Health
Presenter: Benjamin Hefner, DO, FAAPMR
Presenter: Benjamin Hefner, DO, FAAPMR
3:00 - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 - 4:15 PM
Clinical Strategies and Essential Resources to Enhance Patient Outcomes and Long-Term Success
Presenters: Theresa Forrester, Cheryl Dickerson Brown, LCSW and Mark Bogosiam
Presenters: Theresa Forrester, Cheryl Dickerson Brown, LCSW and Mark Bogosiam
Survivor Events for Saturday,
March 29
9:00 - 9:30
AM
AM
Registration / Welcome
9:30 - 10:30
AM
AM
Art is Medicine
Presenter: BJ Smith
Presenter: BJ Smith
10:30 - 11:00
AM
AM
Break / Exhibit Hall Open
11:00 - 12:00
PM
PM
Adaptive Yoga, Thai Yoga, and Ancient Forms of Healing
Presenter: Caroline Hughes, PTA, E-RYT 500-hour
Presenter: Caroline Hughes, PTA, E-RYT 500-hour
12:00 - 12:45
PM
PM
Lunch / Exhibit Hall Open
12:45 - 1:45 PM
Music Applications For Every Day Life & Recovery
Presenter: Catherine Comardelle, MT-BC, NMT
Presenter: Catherine Comardelle, MT-BC, NMT
1:45 - 2:15
PM
PM
Healing Through the Help of a Harp
Presenter: Ginna Paredes
Presenter: Ginna Paredes
2:15 - 3:15
PM
PM
It's All Social with Fun & Games
Presenters: Lorena Pete, MS, CTRS and Cheryl Gayten, MS, CTRS
Presenters: Lorena Pete, MS, CTRS and Cheryl Gayten, MS, CTRS
Join us on March 28th & 29th
We look forward to hosting you!
Questions?
Please call 504-343-4592 or
send email to: [email protected]
Questions?
Please call 504-343-4592 or
send email to: [email protected]