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| Vol. 22, No. 20 |
| November 1, 2000 |
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Doctor and Patient Receive Brain Injury Association Awards By NANCY HUDGINS The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research
A doctor and former patient at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research received awards from the Brain Injury Association-Texas (BIAT, formerly the Texas Head Injury Foundation) during the organization's annual meeting. Dr. Cindy Ivanhoe, director, Brain Injury Program at TIRR and assistant professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, received the Professional Contribution Award. Former TIRR patient Trevor Shockley was named "Survivor of the Year, 2000." The Professional Contribution Award recognizes a professional who has made a substantial contribution to improving the quality of life for persons with traumatic brain injury. The recipient may be chosen from the fields of medicine, psychology, neuropsychology, law, rehabilitation, social work, or education. Dr. Ivanhoe is known for her patient advocacy, teaching and writing, and her work in spasticity management. At the awards ceremony, Dr. Ivanhoe was recognized as a "a physician whose patients know that she will take the extra step for them by insuring they receive the best treatment." The Survivor Award goes to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional courage, determination and effort in overcoming the obstacles imposed by a traumatic brain injury. In introducing Shockley, it was told that in 1995, while training for a bicycle marathon to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society, he was struck by a vehicle, thus beginning the long road to recovery. While recovering, Trevor became the model "I can do it" patient as he progressed through two years of rehabilitation at TIRR and Transitional Learning Community in Galveston. His determination continued through three years of outpatient rehabilitation and multiple corrective surgeries to improve his mobility and vision. Deciding to pick up where he left off, Trevor began training for the 2000 MS Marathon during his lengthy recovery. Not only did he participate in the 182-mile course from Houston to Austin, but he also completed it, raising a large amount of money for the MS Society in the process. Cheryl Amoruso, president of Brain Injury Association-Texas, presented the awards. She became involved with the organization because her brother survived a severe brain injury eight years ago as a result of a fall. Amoruso became involved at local and state levels to make a difference in the lives of other survivors and their families. "I was frustrated about the lack of resources and resource coordination," Amoruso said. BIAT strives to meet the urgent need to develop programs for public awareness and education, to support research and rehabilitation, and to provide family guidance.
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/11_01_00/page_01.html |
