A one-day conference for you and your staff
April 17, Kalispell • May 8, Miles City • May 22, Great Falls
Hilton Garden Inn
Sleep Inn & Suites
Holiday Inn
Service providers will increase their understanding of brain injury and related symptoms,
learn strategies to enhance their work with survivors and families, and receive resources and
information to increase community awareness.
Certificate of Attendance and Continuing Education: Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance at the close
of the conference. Continuing education credit (7 hours) is pending for Social Workers, Professional Counselors, Marriage
and Family Therapists, Licensed Addiction Counselors, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (State CE),
Physical Therapists, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCC) and Occupational Therapists.
This project is funded in whole or in part under a Contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.
Charles Gutierrez, Ret. Major US Air Force - Mr. Gutierrez was born in Denver, CO. He
graduated from Winston-Salem State University, NC, in 1993 and was commissioned through
Air Force Officer Training. He has served at Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT; Vandenberg Air
Force Base, CA; SPSS Eglin Air Force, FL; and Keesler Air Force Base, MS. He has been
deployed in support of Global Strike Command, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation
Enduring Freedom. He has received Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 oak
leaf clusters, AF Commendation Medal w/6 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/2 stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal w/1 star, Combat Readiness
Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal.
Mr. Gutierrez is married to Major Carrie Syck (retired) and has two children.
Tana Ostrowski - OTA/L, CBIS - Ms. Ostrowski is a clinical staff member with the
Community Bridges post acute brain injury rehabilitation program of Community Medical
Center Rehabilitation Institute of MT in Missoula. She serves as chair of the Governor’s
Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council of MT and participates in community outreach to
increase awareness of brain injury and develop community collaborations.
Ariana Del Negro - Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow for Montana - Ms. Del Negro is wife
and caregiver to her husband who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2006 from a car bomb in
Iraq. A graduate of Haverford College, Ms. Del Negro works as a freelance medical writer/
editor in the field of continuing medical education. She serves on the Advisory Board for the
Montana Brain Injury Coalition and is the current Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow for
Montana, representing the needs of military caregivers in the state.
Liz Davies – MSW - Ms. Davies is a supervisor in Home and Community Based Services.
She attended Harvard College, MA, and the University of Montana, MT, where she earned her
master’s of social work. Prior to joining HCBS, Ms. Davies was a behavioral specialist with
Community Bridges, a post-acute rehabilitation specializing in brain injury treatment.
Kaysha Eldred, Overcomer - Ms. Eldred grew up in Divide, MT. Just prior to her high school
graduation, she sustained a TBI (May 2009) when she was rear-ended by a drunk driver. Ms.
Eldred is currently studying social work at the University of Montana, MT. She is 23 years old
and is a 5-year Overcomer of a TBI.
Lois McElravy, Motivational Speaker - Ms. McElravy grew up believing that she could
accomplish anything she set her mind to do. In a split second, her life was forever changed
when a utility truck violently crashed into her car. Fourteen years post injury, Ms. McElravy
became a motivational speaker sharing her personal story and providing a voice on brain injury.
Ms. McElravy has served on the Governor’s State Rehabilitation Council and the BIAMT
Board of Directors. She and her husband, Larry, live in Missoula, MT, and have four children.
A Veteran’s Journey with Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD by Charles Gutierrez
An OIF and OEF veteran’s journey from war through the healing process. Hear of the struggles with
coping, perceived stigmas and the road to seeking help. Learn of the effects on family, relationships,
and societal interaction.
Understanding the Practical Implications of Brain Injury by Tana Ostrowski, OTA/L, CBIS
This presentation will cover basic brain anatomy and function, mechanisms of injury (traumatic,
acquired), and how residual deficits impact individual goals and functional day-to-day life.
Integrating the Voice of TBI Caregivers: Implications for Recovery and Beyond by Ariana Del Negro
Integrating input and perspective from caregivers of TBI survivors is integral to the recovery process.
Learn the benefits of and practical strategies for engaging caregivers as a means to guide personalized
rehabilitative strategies and facilitate improved long-term outcomes.
Strategies for Professionals by Tana Ostrowski and Kaysha Eldred
This presentation will cover specific strategies to address persistent residual deficit areas.
REB 101: How Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Can Change Lives by Liz Davies, MSW
Rational Emotive Behavior (REB) Therapy is a powerful tool for understanding how to overcome
negative thinking patterns that contribute to problematic behaviors after brain injury. This introductory
session will provide participants with an overview of REB and basic strategies for implementing it
today.
Solving the Mysteries of Non-Compliance – An Insider’s Perspective and Tips by Lois McElravy
Attendees will acquire tools to improve compliancy with brain injury patients/clients who don’t think
they need help, nor want help because they are sadly unaware that their abilities to logically reason and
accurately assess are impaired.
Attendees will receive a variety of printed materials and resources to enhance
their work with individuals living with brain injury.
2015 BIAMT Conference
1-800-241-6442 • www.biamt.org
Professional Service Providers
Registration Form
“Building Your Brain Injury Toolbox”
Brain injury often affects every aspect of a person’s life and family members. It is important agencies
and service providers in your community understand brain injury and the role they have in a brain
injury survivor’s recovery and quality of life. Service providers are an intrinsic part of recovery and
adjustment to life after a brain injury.
Service providers will increase their understanding of brain injury and related symptoms,
learn strategies to enhance their work with survivors and families, and receive resources and
information to increase community awareness.
Certificate of Attendance and Continuing Education: Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance at the close
of the conference. Continuing education credit (7 hours) is pending for Social Workers, Professional Counselors,
Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Addiction Counselors, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
(State CE), Physical Therapists, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCC) and Occupational Therapists.
This project is funded in whole or in part under a Contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.
April 17, Kalispell • May 8, Miles City • May 22, Great Falls
TIME
DESCRIPTION / PRESENTATION TITLE
PRESENTER
7:30 – 8:00
Registration / Check In
45th Parallel & BIAMT
8:00 – 8:15
Welcome and Announcements
BIAMT / GAC
8:15 – 9:30
A Veterans Journey with Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD
Charles Gutierrez
Ret. Major US Air Force
9:30 – 9:45
BREAK
9:45 – 11:00
Understanding the Practical Implications of Brain Injury
11:00 – 12:00
Integrating the Voice of TBI Caregivers: Implications for
Recovery and Beyond
Tana Ostrowski
OTA/L, CBIS
12:00 – 1:00
LUNCH – Provided
1:00 – 2:15
Strategies for Professionals
Ariana Del Negro
Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow,
Montana
Tana Ostrowski
OTA/L, CBIS
2:15 - 2:30
2:30– 4:00
4:00 - 4:15
4:15 – 5:00
5:00 – 5:15
Break
REB 101: How Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Can
Change Lives
Liz Davies
MSW
BREAK
Solving the Mysteries of Non-Compliance – An Insider’s
Perspective and Tips
Lois McElravy
Evaluation and Certificates
45th Parallel & BIAMT
Motivational Speaker
** Schedule is subject to change without prior notification.
45th Parallel Events is assisting BIAMT with conference coordination. Please contact Tricia at 406-585-9538, [email protected]
or www.45pr.com with any questions. Fax number: 406-994-0046.
2015 BIAMT Conference
Professional Service Providers
Registration Form
1-800-241-6442 • www.biamt.org
Fax to 406-994-0046
Name
Company
Profession
Address
City/State/Zip
Day Phone
Email (required for confirmation)
Professional Service Providers Registration Fee
$60 per person (includes break snacks and lunch)**
Check Which Conference You Are Registering to Attend:
Friday, April 17, Kalispell
Friday, May 8, Miles City
Friday, May 22, Great Falls
Hilton Garden Inn
Sleep Inn & Suites
Holiday Inn
Additional staff/co-workers attending:
(please include email for each)
Number of registrations =
X $60 each = TOTAL PAYMENT: $
**registrations are eligible for Certificates of Attendance (continuing education pending approval)
Payment Type:
Check made payable to 45th Parallel, mailed to 7975 Overlook Lane, Bozeman, MT 59715
Credit card (Visa, Master, Discover, American Express) — all fields below are required for processing
Name on card:
Security code on back:
Card number:
Expiration date:
Address for cardholder:
Phone number for cardholder:
Email address for receipt:
Book your room by calling the appropriate hotel:
• April 17 • Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 US Highway 93 South, Kalispell, MT, 406-756-4500
Rooms are $89 + tax per night. Make your reservations by March 26, 2015, and be sure to mention Brain Injury Alliance.
• May 8 • Sleep Inn, 1006 S. Haynes Ave., Miles City, MT, 406-232-3000
Rooms are $99 + tax per night. Make your reservations by April 24, 2015, and be sure to mention Brain Injury Alliance.
• May 22 • Holiday Inn, 1100 5th St. S., Great Falls, MT, 406-727-7200
Rooms are $89 + tax per night. Make your reservations by April 30, 2015, and be sure to mention Brain Injury Alliance.