GCMC

QUINTER – Liz McDonald, Director of Therapy Services at Gove County Medical Center spoke recently at a professional conference about traumatic brain injury (TBI), “Beyond Rehab: Succeeding at Life, A Conference on Brain Injury.”

The 10th annual conference was hosted by Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater KC, March 28-29 in Overland Park. Topics included in the conference included the role of neuroplasticity in recovery after brain injury, milestones of independence after brain injury, and updates in acute medical rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury.

Rehabilitation professionals such as nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, speech language pathologists attended the conference to learn more about effective treatment post injury.

Twenty-two speakers shared information ranging from “Driving After Brain Injury” to “Treating Substance Abuse at Different Ages After TBI.”

McDonald’s presentation was titled “Survivor Perspective.”

McDonald said one of the most important lessons she learned at the conference was from Dr. Alan Weintraub’s presentation. He discussed how medication’s efficacy is affected by the part of the brain injured. For instance, if the frontal lobe is injured, a different medication or different strength may be required than if the occipital lobe has been damaged.

For more information on therapy services at Gove County Medical Center, or about traumatic brain injury, call Liz McDonald at 785-754-5170.