Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey

04/30/2026

We’re excited to join for their 2026 Annual Professional Seminar on Wednesday, May 6 in Somerset, NJ. It’s New Jersey’s premier brain injury conference, and a great opportunity to learn and network.

We are incredibly proud that several of our providers will be speaking! Don’t miss these insightful sessions:

🔹 Dr. Giana Giorello, DPT
🔹 Tatiana Sikorskyj, APN, RNFA
🔹 Susanne Ginart, RN, APN-C
🔹 Dr. Catherine Mazzola, MD, FAANS

Be sure to visit our exhibit table to meet our team and connect. If you haven’t already registered, do so today through the link in our Linktree!

ProvidersWhoCare BrainInjuryAwareness

04/27/2026

📣 New Support Group in Monmouth County starting Friday, May 8!

"Mind Matters" will be a weekly support group for individuals living with brain injury, offering a welcoming space for connection, shared experiences, and mutual support. Sessions may include open discussion, lunch-and-learns, or guest speakers focused on recovery, resources, and everyday life “matters."

🗓️ Meetings will be held on Fridays at 11 a.m.
📍 Trinity Church | 65 West Front Street in Red Bank (with the option to join virtually)
🔗 More info: https://www.bianj.org/support/ #1691105639520-9a74e7e7-1128

04/23/2026

💰 Who wants to win $10,000?! 💰 Support BIANJ while taking your chance at a BIG jackpot.

🎟 Tickets are just $100 each and ONLY 200 tickets will be sold — great odds for a BIG payoff!
📅 NEW Drawing Date: June 10
🔗 Order by mail or phone. See flyer for details: https://tinyurl.com/BIANJ5050

Don’t wait…once they’re gone, they’re gone! Get your tickets today!

04/20/2026

BIANJ's Annual Professional Seminar is coming up on May 6!

✨ Seminar Spotlight: “Data, Detection, and Decisions: Reframing Traumatic Brain Injury in the Age of AI”

Mill Etienne, MD, MPH, FAAN, FANA, FAES, Vice Chancellor and Associate Professor of Neurology and Medicine will explore how AI-driven approaches can enhance early injury detection, refine severity stratification, and support more accurate outcome prediction, while complementing—not replacing—clinical judgment. Drawing on examples spanning civilian, military, and athletic contexts, the talk highlights how machine learning models can move TBI care beyond static snapshots toward dynamic, data-informed insights.

🔗 Don't miss out! Register now at https://support.bianj.org/seminar2026

04/15/2026

Join us for an inspiring in-person art workshop designed for individuals with brain injury to creatively share their unique experiences.

🗓 Three dates and locations this May:
🎨 Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - Marlton
🎨 Thursday, May 7, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Allaire Rehab & Nursing (Freehold)
🎨 Wednesday, May 13, 6-7:30 p.m. at Rehabilitation Specialists (Fairlawn)

Led by Elizabeth Van Roten, BIANJ’s Director of Support Services, participants will receive guidance and prompts to help craft meaningful artwork that reflects their journey. Art supplies will be provided, and the completed pieces can be submitted to the Atlantic Cape Community College Art Gallery's Brain Injury Exhibit.

Spots are limited, registration is required. To register, or for any questions, please email evanroten@bianj.org or call 848-213-3380.

04/10/2026

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey recently honored William Elliott with the Trooper Christopher Scales Memorial Award, presented annually to a member or partner of the law enforcement community who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to public safety and brain injury prevention.

Following the tragic loss of his son, Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, who was killed by an impaired driver in 2000, Mr. Elliott transformed personal grief into a powerful, lifesaving mission. Together with his family, he founded the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, a nationally recognized initiative dedicated to preventing impaired driving and promoting the use of designated drivers.

Mr. Elliott’s advocacy was instrumental in the passage of “John’s Law” in New Jersey in 2001. For the past 25 years, the law has empowered law enforcement to impound the vehicles of individuals charged with DUI, preventing them from returning to the road while still intoxicated. Since its enactment, more than 700,000 vehicles have been impounded.

BIANJ CEO Wendy Berk presented the award to Mr. Elliott on April 2, 2026 before a gathering of more than 300 police chiefs from across New Jersey, who came together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of John’s Law and the HERO Campaign.

The award is named in honor of Trooper Christopher S. Scales, who was a dedicated partner in BIANJ’s brain injury prevention efforts. Trooper Scales was tragically struck and killed on December 3, 2002, while conducting a seatbelt enforcement detail on the New Jersey Turnpike. In May 2003, BIANJ posthumously honored his legacy by establishing this award in his name.

04/09/2026

Have you registered for our Annual Professional Seminar on May 6?

This year's Keynote Address, "Unlocking Resilience: A New Hope for Well-Being After Brain Injury," presented by Dawn Neumann, PhD, FACRM will explore the clinical characteristics of alexithymia (impaired emotional insight), its relevance to resilience and outcomes after BI, and evidence of a structured training program that targets alexithymia in people who have had a BI and its outcomes on resilience.

👉 Learn more and download the brochure at bianj.org/seminar2026
👉 Secure your spot today at support.bianj.org/seminar2026

04/06/2026

Join us for a chat about AI and brain injury recovery!

04/02/2026

Join us live on Monday, April 6 at 11 a.m. for "AI & Brain Injury Recovery." Elizabeth Van Roten, MSW, LCSW, Director of Support Services will be speaking with Scott Catron, who will offer a survivor's perspective on AI.

🔗 www. facebook.com/BIAofNJ

04/02/2026

Recently, the BIANJ team participated in an insightful workshop focused on blindness and disability. We were honored to welcome representatives from the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired who shared valuable guidance on appropriate language and etiquette, understanding individual capabilities, home and workplace accommodations, assistive technologies, and more.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to expand our knowledge and strengthen our ability to better support and serve our community.

04/01/2026

We’re grateful to Sandra Levine Productions for this opportunity to raise awareness about brain injury and the impactful work of BIANJ. Sandra's meaningful conversation with our CEO, Wendy Berk, is now available on the "Still Time for Joy" podcast YouTube channel, link below.

When a brain injury occurs, whether due to a fall, a car crash, a medical issue, or another reason, often life is dramatically changed for both the survivor ...

04/01/2026

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ) is pleased to announce that it is joining the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) as a new affiliate organization.

As part of this new affiliation, BIANJ will continue its longstanding mission to support individuals affected by brain injury and to educate the public about brain injury prevention. All programs, services, and local efforts will remain unchanged. By joining BIAA’s national network, BIANJ will contribute to a stronger, unified voice advocating for individuals with brain injuries.

“This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to enhance our ability to serve the more than 12,000 individuals statewide affected by brain injury,” said Wendy Berk, MSW, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer of BIANJ. “By joining the Brain Injury Association of America, we will strengthen our advocacy efforts while continuing to provide the direct support and services New Jersey families have relied on since 1981.”

🔗 Read more about this announcement and view our FAQ at: www.bianj.org/biaa