Youth Brain Injury Town Hall to be held at University of New Mexico

Sarah Jane Brain Foundation In The News
WHAT: Town Hall hosted by UNM is part of the Sarah Jane Brain Project’s 40+ state national brain injury tour. This particular event will address “The In-Patient Stay from ER to Discharge” for youth brain injury.
WHEN: Monday, April 25, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
WHERE: UNM North Campus, Domenici Center Auditorium, 1001 Stanford NE
WHO: Moderator:
Dr. Susan Miller, Clinical and Pediatric Psychologist UNMPanelists:
Venice Grijalva and her mother Rosie Grijalva. Venice incurred a brain injury in a motor vehicle crash. Rosie Grijalva was instrumental making talking on your cell phone while driving a ticketed citation in Las Cruses, NM. It is $25.00 for the first citation, $50.00 for the second and jail time and a fine for the 3rd citation.Dr. Michael David Pleacher,M.D. practices sports medicine and pediatrics at UNM

Dr. Robert Sapien, M.D. Sub-specialty: UNM Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Erich Marchand, M.D. UNM. Pediatric Neurosurgeon

Tito Monge, M.D. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Denise Taylor, M.D. Pediatric Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Blaine Hart, M.D. Neuroradiology, Diagnostic Radiology

Leslie Morrison, M.D. Child Neurologist

John Phillips,M.D. Pediatric Neurologist, Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, and Brain imaging

WHY: The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation is one of the leading organizations in the country dealing with pediatric acquired brain injury. This event is part of the foundation�s nationwide public awareness campaign dealing with brain injury, the leading cause of death and disability for America’s youth. The tour aims to bring awareness about youth sports concussions to high schools across the country as well as introduce the National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan (PABI Plan) through town hall meetings at local universities and hospitals.

The National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan (PABI Plan) develops a seamless, standardized, evidence-based system of care that is universally accessible for the millions of PABI families across the country.

PABI covers brain injuries from birth through 25 years of age, due to the fact the adolescent brain is still developing until about 25. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.6-3.8 million new brain injuries occur every year in America due to trauma in sports and recreational activities. More than 767,225 American youth visit the Emergency Department due to traumatic brain injuries each year, 80,715 are hospitalized and over 11,200 die. Upwards of 80% of the children in our juvenile detention centers across America have some form of a brain injury, most of which have not been identified or treated.

SPONSORS: Easton-Bell Sports:
The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation is proud to have Easton-Bell Sports as an official sponsor of the tour. Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of innovative sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The Company markets and licenses products under such well-known brands as Easton, Bell, Riddell and Giro. Its products incorporate leading technology and designs and are used by professional athletes and enthusiasts alike.Angels on the Bay:
Angels on the Bay, Inc. is a nonprofit children�s charity. Their mission is to raise funds and awareness to help provide life enhancing services for the chronically ill, developmentally disabled and physically challenged children of our community.
NOTES: This event is open press. Interviews with panelists and experts will be available prior to and following the event.
LOCAL CONTACT Luke Frank, UNM HSC Media Relations Manager.
505/272-3679
LFrank@salud.unm.edu