Brain Injury Press, Issue 258 • 1
Brain Injury Press
OUR MISSION: to improve the quality of life for brain injury survivors and their families
Serving Brain Injury Survivors & Their Famlies Since 1983
Third Quarter 2024, Issue 260
The inaugural Brain Injury Symposium, hosted by the San Diego
Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF), was an incredible success, bringing
together close to 100 survivors, caregivers, families, friends, and
professionals at the Mission Valley Library on August 24th. The
event centered around the theme “Navigating the Reintegration
Journey After Brain Injury” and provided an inspiring platform for
sharing insights, addressing challenges, and exploring effective
strategies for recovery and reintegration.
We were honored to welcome Dr. Nina Bhupathiraju, a renowned
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, as our keynote
continued on page 4
SDBIF Brain Injury Symposium:
A Day of Learning & Unification
Around Reintegration
IN THIS ISSUE
1 Brain Injury Symposium Recap
2 Brianda Muñoz Promoted to
Howard House Administrator
3 Message from SDBIF Executive
Director, Dr. Roslyn Knox
8 Day of Art Recap & Photos
10 Community News
Howard House Updates
Q3 Community Forum Recap
Save the Date for the 2025
surviveHEADSTRONG SD!
SDBIF Saturday Meeting Links
Upcoming Events
14 Stevie McCarley: Love, Hope,
Art, Brain Injury
Dr. Nina
Bhupathiraju
Christi
Ewing
Marni
Scivoletti-Castillo
Heike
Kessler-Heiberg
Cindy
Pahr
2 • SDBIF.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cynthia Pahr
Past-President
Susan Biffl, M.D.
Vice President
Adrienne Dubin, Ph.D.
Secretary
Tim Scheidt
Treasurer
Andreia Barbosa
John Gomez, Esq.
Heike Kessler-Heiberg, MA,
SLP-CCC
Kristine Negrete, DPT, NCS
Angela Pennella
Tina Dhesi-Bawa, PT, DPT,
MBA
PROFESSIONAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Mohammed Ahmed, M.D.
Dan Gardner, M.D.
Harish Hosalkar, M.D.
Amy Magnusson, M.D.
Justin Matsuura, O.D.
Mark McDonough, Ph.D.
Barbara Welsh-Osga, Ph.D.
SDBIF LEADERSHIP
Roslyn Knox, Ph.D., MBA
Executive Director
Stephanie Bidegain
Chief Operating Officer
Brianda Muñoz
Howard House Administrator
@SDBIF
@SDBIF
@San-Diego-Brain-
Injury-Foundation
@theSDBIF
Follow SDBIF on Social Media
Want to share your story? Please do! CLICK HERE
and write a review of your experience with SDBIF.
SDBIF Promotes Brianda Muñoz
to Howard House Administrator
We are thrilled to introduce Brianda Muñoz
as the new Residential Administrator
for Howard House! Brianda has been an
integral part of the Howard House family
for the past three years, and we are excited
to see her step into this leadership role.
As a certified Adult Residential Facility
(ARF) Administrator with nearly 10 years
of experience in the caregiving industry,
Brianda brings a wealth of knowledge and
expertise to our community.
Brianda’s deep compassion and unwavering commitment to brain
injury survivors have truly set her apart. She has consistently ensured
that the care and dignity of Howard House residents are the top
priority, creating an environment that fosters respect, safety, and
growth. Under her guidance, the support team at Howard House has
flourished, embodying the same dedication and integrity that Brianda
exemplifies every day. With Brianda at the helm, we are confident
that Howard House will continue to be a place of healing and hope.
It’s a full circle moment when how I started volunteering with SDBIF began in
2020 when I was looking up organizations to do work with and I found it ranked
as #1 on Great Nonprofits. I have served as a volunteer whenever I can since, and I
can attest to it being one of the greatest and most meaningful groups I have ever
been a part of. The community is fantastic and the staff’s goal is truly to make as
much as a positive impact on people’s lives as possible. The fundraisers not only
allow for continued resources for patients and family who have suffered from
TBI but also opportunities for the entire community to connect with each other.
The monthly meetings remind those going through such tough times that they
are not alone. The collaborations they do with the San Diego community expand
the support and awareness such that we can do more for those that need it. It
has been nothing short of a delight to see SDBIF push for additional events and
utilities, and I hope that I get to continue to grow as a humanitarian with such an
earnest organization for as long as possible.
LETTERS TO SDBIF
Brain Injury Press, Issue 258 • 3
A Message from SDBIF’s Executive Director,
Dr. Roslyn Knox
Hello Brain Injury Community!
This summer has been a whirlwind of activity and growth! We wanted
to understand your needs, and you answered loud and clear. Your top
priorities were direct support, increased social engagement, better
connections to service providers, and vocational readiness. We listened,
and we’re thrilled to share how we’ve responded.
We’ve expanded our services and strengthened our network of
providers and advocates. We’ve also introduced new forums and
workshops specifically designed to help survivors and their families
navigate the reintegration journey.
In 2024, our focus has been on leveraging new digital technologies
to ensure that everyone in our community has access to essential
resources. We’ve launched new programs, expanded existing ones, fortified community partnerships, and
amplified our advocacy efforts. To streamline access to services, we’ve introduced Advocate Services to assist
survivors with form completion, appointment scheduling, and communication development.
To meet the need for social activities that foster purpose, friendship, and belonging, we’ve increased our social
offerings. Our Saturday Meetings now feature a social hour with refreshments and conversations. We’ve
reintroduced popular activities like the Day of Art and are working with partners to provide monthly events
where you can connect with peers.
One of our standout initiatives this year was the first annual Brain Injury Symposium, centered on navigating
the reintegration journey. It was an exhilarating day that brought together survivors, families, support networks,
professionals, and advocates. It provided an interactive and informative experience, equipping participants
with vital tools and techniques for effective healing and restoration.
The ongoing work at SDBIF to maintain and expand our programs, services, and collaborations is making a
real difference in the lives of brain injury survivors and their families. None of this would be possible without
your generous donations and unwavering support.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Roslyn Knox, Ph.D., MBA, Executive Director of SDBIF
4 • SDBIF.org
speaker.
Dr.
Bhupathiraju
passionately
emphasized the importance of including a
physiatrist in the survivor’s team of specialists to
support their journey toward recovery. She was
followed by Christi Ewing and Marni Scivoletti-
Castillo from Rehab Without Walls, who shared
their expertise on Vocational Reintegration. The
symposium also featured Cindy Pahr, a Certified
Brain Injury Specialist and past President
of SDBIF, who addressed Communication
Barriers, and Heike Kessler-Heiberg, a retired
Associate Professor and Coordinator for the San
Diego Continuing Education Acquired Brain
Injury Programs, who provided valuable Daily
Reintegration Strategies.
A significant highlight of the symposium was
the breakout session, where participants were
divided into three groups representing survivors,
family/friends/caregivers,
and
professionals.
Each group had the opportunity to discuss and
reflect on unique challenges and strategies
for reintegration, fostering a deeper sense of
understanding and community. This session
highlighted the distinct ways each group
navigates the reintegration process, creating a
truly inclusive and empathetic atmosphere.
Throughout the day, attendees were able to
connect
with
several
exhibitors,
including
Synapses TBI Life Coaching, Institutes of Health,
SDSU Speech-Language and Audiology Clinics,
Perception Dynamics Institute, and the Brain
Injury Center of Ventura. A special thank you
goes to Jersey Mike’s for generously donating
lunch and to the student nurses from SDSU who
assisted attendees by taking vitals.
This symposium is just the beginning of a long-
term commitment to supporting the brain injury
community. Our hope is that each attendee left
with newfound connections, knowledge, and
a renewed sense of purpose on the recovery
journey. We are grateful for the enthusiasm
and support shown by the entire community
and look forward to welcoming even more
participants at next year’s event. Stay tuned!!!
continued from page 1
Brain Injury Press, Issue 258 • 5
6 • SDBIF.org
Brain Injury Press, Issue 258 • 7
8 • SDBIF.org
It was time to bring back our favorite artist, Lovejoy,
to lead survivors in a rejuvenating Day of Art!
So, in July we invited Lovejoy to the Writers Ink
Office (down the hall from SDBIF) where she led a
small group in creating beautiful works of art. Her
kind, patient demeanor always makes everyone
feel welcome and appreciated. ALSO, being that
this was an in-person event, Lovejoy had each
survivor to choose the painting THEY wanted to
do. She spent time with each person giving them
guidance and reassurance. Each survivor left the
Day of Art with a smile, an amazing work of art, and
more importantly, confidence in their ability.
It was such a successful and impactful day that starting
in January 2025, SDBIF is hosting a QUARTERLY Day
of Art with Lovejoy—FREE-OF-CHARGE!!!
We understand that not everyone can come to the
in-person events in Liberty Station. To make sure
that we can serve as many survivors as possible,
three of the four 2025 Days of Art will be held
virtually (via Zoom) with Lovejoy. Anyone who wants
to participate will need to register so art supplies
can be prepared.
The VIRUTAL Day of Art events will have all
participants creating the same art in the comfort
of their own home…but the IN-PERSON event at
Liberty Station is where the attendees will have the
special opportunity to create whatever they want!
So, mark your calendars with these dates:
VIRTUAL—Friday, January 17 from 12-2 pm PST
VIRTUAL—Friday, April 18 from 12-2 pm PST
IN-PERSON—Friday, July 18 from 12-2 pm PST
VIRTUAL—Friday, October 17 from 12-2 pm PST
Keep an eye out for our emails and social media
posts so that you can register to join us for some fun!
A Beautiful Day of Art with Lovejoy—Where Smiles,
Friends and Creativity are Front and Center
Brain Injury Press, Issue 258 • 9
10 • SDBIF.org
COMMUNITY NEWS
A Summer of Celebrations at Howard House
We’re thrilled to share the amazing progress
at Howard House, our 24/7 residential home
providing care for eight brain injury survivors. This
summer has been a season of transformation, not
just in the physical space but in the lives of our
residents and support team.
Living with a brain injury is a daily challenge, but
at Howard House, we strive to bring hope and joy
to our residents every single day. Our dedicated
support team assists with all aspects of daily
living, ensuring each resident feels dignified and
cherished. We celebrate every achievement,
whether it’s taking a few extra steps, scoring
hoops in the recreation room, or enjoying festive
events like our 4th of July patio cookout.
The renovations at Howard House are truly exciting!
With new flooring throughout and a modernized
PT/recreation room, the home looks fantastic. Our
therapists are thrilled with the expanded space,
which enhances therapeutic activities and overall
well-being.
Birthdays have been a highlight this quarter
bringing laughter and fun as we celebrated
Kimberly, Guy, Alex and Nicole and their special
days. Our team members also enjoyed celebrating
their birthdays, fostering a strong, supportive
community. Happy Birthday to Brianda, Michelle,
Jerania, Myra, Jacob, Josh, and Jose!
We’re also proud to recognize our outstanding
team members who met the staff challenges this
quarter:
At Howard House, we celebrate every step forward,
every small victory, and every moment of joy. Thank
you for being part of our journey and supporting
the incredible progress happening here.
JUL: No Late Check-ins
• Teresa Del Cid
• Kimberly Haro De La Torre
• Justin Pak
• Nycolas Pruett
• Joselyn Torres
AUG: No Call-Outs
• Maryna Correa
• Jose Hernandez
• Justin Pak
• Nycole Pruett
• Jerania Ramires
• Joselyne Torres