Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council

Welcome to the home page for the Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council.

On February 2, 2005 the Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council was transferred by Executive Order of the Governor from the Office of Administration to the Department of Health and Senior Services. The Council will provide advice to the Department of Health and Senior Services on issues related to traumatic brain injury.

Proclamation for Brain Injury Awareness Month
March 2007

Whereas, approximately 5.3 million Americans currently live with long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury.

Whereas, more than 14,000 Missourians are admitted to an emergency department or hospitalized every year with a traumatic injury to the brain; and

Whereas, every 23 seconds someone receives a traumatic brain injury as a result of motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries, falls and violence; and

Whereas, traumatic brain injury is a life changing injury that affects the whole family as well as the injured person; and

Whereas, prevention is the only cure for traumatic brain injury, and public awareness is key to preventing this type of injury; and

Whereas, the growing number of survivors of traumatic brain injury has increased the demand for rehabilitation services, long-term care, and community and family support services; and

Whereas, the Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council and its partners have developed a new statewide action plan to advance efforts in the areas of prevention, public awareness, and rehabilitation and support services for those whose lives have been affected by traumatic brain injuries:

Pictured from left to right: Lori Brenneke, Program Manager, Adult Head Injury Program; Jane Drummond, DHSS Director; Paula Nickelson, Prevention Services Coordinator, DHSS and member of the Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council; Charity Shelton, Speech-Language Pathologist, Chair of the Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council and relative of a person with a head injury; Andrea Buening, IL Special Projects Coordinator and Brain Injury Advocate, member of Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council; Governor Matt Blunt; Rachel Lasley, Adult Head Injury Service Coordinator, Adult Head Injury Program; Gary Harbison, Chief, Bureau of Special Health Care Needs; Melinda Sanders, Administrator, Section for Healthy Families and Youth