President's Message

I have been working for over 45 years to improve the lives of people with disabilities. While much progress has been made in many disability populations, brain injury remains a 'silent epidemic'. Why is it that brain injury still languishes while other conditions seem to gather all the public support and funding? Is it because brain injury appears so difficult to understand? Is it because brain injury is a hidden condition that is not visible? Is it because unlike most conditions no one is seeking a cure? Or is it because no one really thinks it will ever happen to them? I believe it is all of the above, including the lack of a concerted, coordinated national effort that everyone gets behind. To this end, VANC is joining with other organizations to sponsor a summit on trying to find a way to significantly improve quality of life for persons with TBI and to find a 'cure'. This meeting will take place on October 13-16, 2005 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Here at Virginia NeuroCare, Inc. we are leading the way with "real world rehabilitation", that is person centered and focused on community reentry.

When I founded Virginia NeuroCare I wanted to show people in the professions and from the community that people with brain injury can and do succeed. To that end, the used book store, the therapy center, the High Street Clubhouse and the community residential houses have demonstrated the value of community-based neurorehabilitation.

Virginia NeuroCare, Inc. is a core member of the Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program and, as the only civilian center serving as a core member of the DVHIP, Virginia NeuroCare has been most successful at treating active duty military personnel and veterans. 35% of the soldiers return to active duty, this is incredible and demonstrates the important role community reentry plays in the rehabilitation process.

I am pleased to introduce Brian Balicki, who is joining Virginia NeuroCare as the Chief Executive Office, and Donna Gregory, who is joining VANC as the Chief Operating Officer. Brian Balicki comes to VANC with a wealth of experience in healthcare financing, grant development and management and administrative experience. Donna Gregory comes to VANC very experienced in hands-on neurorehabilitation, resource development and administration. Their task is to help VANC grow.

One new service about to begin is a weekly day-long mild TBI and neurohealth clinic, and day treatment program opening in the spring of 2005. The Friday clinic will offer evaluation and diagnostic services, counseling, and individual and group therapy in speech/language pathology, cognition, memory, occupational therapy, physical therapy, Neuropsychology and day rehabilitation. The clinic will be open every Friday. Services will be available for persons with concussion and minor to moderate head injury, as well as other neurological conditions.

I am pleased that James Clark, MD, Dennis Yutchison, MPT, and Jeffrey Barth, PhD have joined the therapy staff as consultants.

You can help support the work of VANC with soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan by sending a tax deductible contribution.

Thank you.

George A. Zitnay, Ph.D.
President
Virginia NeuroCare, Inc.