This talk covers key aspects of anoxic brain injury, including the epidemiology, acute medical management strategies, and the underlying pathophysiology. 

54 Minutes

This talk introduces the foundations of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern healthcare, focusing on safe, transparent practices, practical applications, and strategies to build AI literacy at both individual and organizational levels. Led by Keith Backman, Chief Information Officer for SRN and MGB Healthcare at Home, the session highlights how AI and digital platforms can support clinical operations, rehabilitation, and patient outcomes across care environments.

Accessible to MGB Employees Only

This talk covers current guidelines for diagnosis and prognostication of Disorders of Consciousness, including explanations of key definitions, distinguishing features, and a description of the natural recovery process.

62 Minutes

In this episode of the Finding Strength podcast we discuss Synapse National, an organization which engages college students in expanding social support for those with brain injury and exposing them to the field of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

27 Minutes

On December 2, 2025, we hosted a webinar highlighting the unique biological, psychosocial, and reproductive health needs of women living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Speakers shared clinical insights and lived experience, covering topics such as reproductive and sexual health, pregnancy and parenting, bone and cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and barriers to accessing care. Speakers included Dr. Chloe Slocum and Kimberlee Watts, a peer health coach and long-time SCI advocate.

60 Minutes

Pictured: Spaulding BMS Team at the Burn Model Systems site visit

The Boston-Harvard Burn Injury Model System recently welcomed leaders from the National Data and Statistical Center.

The Model Systems (MS) are federally funded networks of centers across the United States, each providing comprehensive rehabilitation care and contributing research and data that help drive innovation in recovery in burn, spinal cord, and brain injury. Each MS invites newly injured individuals to participate in an ongoing database housed at a National Data and Statistical Center (NDSC). This information is used to further the understanding of the long-term consequences of these injuries and to develop improved treatments and systems of care. The NDSCs support the mission by overseeing national data collection and providing vital training, technical assistance, and administrative guidance to the MS centers.

The Boston-Harvard Burn Injury Model System recently hosted an international meeting on the LIBRE Profile, bringing together experts from six countries to advance a globally accessible, survivor-centered tool that measures social participation after burn injury. These collaborative efforts aim to improve recovery research worldwide and enhance support for burn survivors by ensuring culturally relevant and accurate assessment practices.

Pictured: Dr. Prudence Plummer (right) and Dr. Megan Schliep (left)

Drs. Prudence Plummer and Megan Schliep received funding from the American Heart Association’s Institutional Research Enhancement Award (AIREA) for a project titled, “Data-driven intervention to reduce pre-discharge fall risk after stroke.” The new project expands on their prior post-stroke fall prediction (observational) research at Spaulding by testing a supplementary intervention for fall prevention in people with stroke who are evaluated to be at high fall risk upon admission. The study will compare the effects of the personalized fall prevention intervention to a control intervention on pre-discharge fall risk and 30-day and 90-day post-discharge fall rates. A further goal of this award is to expose students to research to strengthen the institution's research environment, and so PT, OT, and SLP students from the MGH Institute of Health Professions will assist with most aspects of the study.

Legislation currently pending in the Massachusetts House (H. 4358 and S. 210) seeks to strengthen consumer protections for individuals who rely on wheelchairs by improving access to timely repairs and ensuring availability of temporary loaner chairs. The bill aims to prevent wheelchair users from being immobilized during repair periods and is supported by sponsors Representative O’Day and Senator Cronin.

The Brain Injury Association of America, alongside national brain injury organizations and advocates, released a collaboratively developed guidance document aimed at improving the accuracy, sensitivity, and consistency of language used when discussing brain injury.

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Reauthorization Act has been introduced in the U.S. Senate, and its passage is essential to sustaining federal programs that millions of survivors and families depend on. Without reauthorization, funding for prevention efforts, data collection, and community services is at risk. The Act would continue CDC concussion surveillance, preserve the ACL State Grant Program, and support innovation in prevention and community reintegration.

Make your voice heard—urge your Senators to cosponsor the TBI Reauthorization Act.

Dr. Chloe Slocum received the Distinguished Public Service, Health Equity & Advocacy Award from AAPM&R, recognizing her leadership in health policy, advocacy for people with spinal cord injury, and commitment to improving access to high-quality care across the post‑acute continuum.

Dr. Katie Golden received the Early Career Travel Scholarship from ACRM, recognizing her contributions to advancing knowledge and collaboration in brain injury research. She presented her work on disorders of consciousness at the 102nd Annual ACRM Fall Conference in Chicago.

On December 9, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences released a major report examining the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in mental health care. The project brought together leaders from academia, clinical practice, and major technology companies to evaluate how AI tools are shaping access, quality, ethics, and equity in mental-health services. Daniel Barron, MD, PhD served on the steering committee. The launch event, moderated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, highlighted key themes from the report and helped bring this work to a broad national audience.

A recent study examined whether mapping burns using cutaneous functional units (CFUs), skin regions associated with joint function, more accurately predicts range of motion outcomes in burn survivors compared to total body surface area (TBSA). Findings indicate that CFU-based mapping, particularly in the hands, more precisely identifies joints at risk for motion loss than TBSA alone, supporting a more targeted rehabilitation planning approach. Dr. Jeffrey Schneider served as a co-author on the study.

At the ISQua conference, Lewis E. Kazis, ScD received the 2025 Health Assessment Lab/Medical Outcomes Trust John Ware and Alvin Tarlov Career Achievement Prize in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). In his acceptance speech, Dr. Kazis emphasized the critical role of PROMs in advancing truly patient-centered care and highlighted their growing potential when integrated with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. His remarks reinforced the power of combining data-driven tools with human insight to shape more responsive and equitable health systems.

Pictured: Dr. Lewis Kazis honored with the 2025 PROMs Career Achievement Award for his leadership in advancing patient-centered care.

Members of our team attended the AMRPA Conference, where they showcased their work by presenting research posters that highlighted our commitment to advancing rehabilitation practice and sharing expertise with leaders across the field.

Pictured: Melissa Gregory, Cara Brickley, Poonam Saraf, Chloe Slocum, Christina White, and Trina Modoono

Our team’s ACRM submissions spanned care transitions, guideline implementation, and rehabilitation access and equity, demonstrating leadership in advancing patient-centered care and practitioner frameworks across acute to post-acute settings. We also highlighted methodological rigor and innovation through research on fraudulent participation, outcome measurement, disparities, and technology adoption. Collectively, these proposals demonstrated our multidisciplinary expertise and strong representation across symposia, oral sessions, and posters.

Pictured: Flora Hammond, Mary Slavin, Carla Tierney-Hendricks, Tolu Oyesanya, and Janet Prvu Bettger's presentation, highlighting shared challenges and opportunities to improve continuity of care across rehab populations.

At the 2025 ASHA Annual Convention., a team of LeaRRn scholars presented “Collaborative Frontiers: Learning Health Systems and the Potential of Embedded CSD Research.” The session highlighted how Learning Health System partnerships can strengthen collaboration, embed research into clinical practice, and advance data-driven, patient-centered care in communication sciences and disorders.

Pictured: Jennifer Oshita, Rob Cavanagh, Carla Tierney-Hendricks, Natalie Douglas, Megan Schliep, presenting: "Collaborative Frontiers: Learning Health Systems and the Potential of Embedded CSD Research"

A new factsheet outlines what to expect after an amputation caused by burn injury, including guidance on recovery, rehabilitation, emotional adjustment, and strategies for regaining independence. The factsheet is accessible online and available to download for print.

The Massachusetts Health and Disability Program (DPH) offers this on-demand course to help you provide disability-competent care. Learn to recognize barriers, address disparities, and deliver responsive screenings.

On Saturday, December 20, join us at the Waltham Westin Hotel for the Winter Gala supporting Burn Survivors of New England. The event will feature performances by Step By Step Dance Studio, inspiring speakers, and local artists, all celebrating resilience and community. Proceeds provide scholarships for survivors to attend gatherings, conferences, and gain access to education, resources, and support networks. Learn more or make a year-end donation at bsone.org.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is observed every October to honor the contributions of workers with disabilities and promote awareness of disability employment issues. Established as a week in 1945 and expanded to a month in 1988, NDEAM features an annual theme, 2025’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent”, to guide public education and efforts to increase employment opportunities.

In recognition of NDEAM, the MGB Disability Employee Inclusion Alliance hosted a webinar featuring three programs: JobLab at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, the Polus Center at Mass Eye & Ear, and Aspire at Massachusetts General Hospital—that focus on advancing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities; the session highlighted inclusive hiring practices, vocational training, and workplace support

The Massachusetts House passed a bill (H 4704) aimed at updating state laws to remove outdated and offensive language about people with disabilities. The legislation would replace terms like “handicapped” and “mentally retarded” with respectful, person-first language (e.g., “person with a disability”), fixing hundreds of instances across the legal code

This article covers the serious injury suffered by National Rugby League (NRL) player Eli Katoa during a match for Tonga: he sustained three head impacts, passed medical assessments, but later had a seizure on the bench and required emergency brain surgery for bleeding. The incident has sparked criticism of the league’s concussion and head-injury protocols, especially around pre-game warm-ups and how head assessments are handled.

The Resilient Brain: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury for Kids by Katianne Olson helps children and families understand TBI in an accessible, compassionate way. With clear explanations and relatable illustrations, it supports honest, age-appropriate conversations and has been highly praised by patients, families, and staff at Spaulding

On September 27, research coordinators Lillian Droscha, MPH, Jenny Zhang, MS, and Mario Feranil, MPH joined the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts at Buzzards Bay for their Cere-bration Walk. The annual Cere-Bration is a fundraiser that brings together individuals and teams to support those affected by brain injury, connect brain injury survivors, and provide brain injury awareness. The Spaulding team shared research updates, opportunities to participate in open studies, resources, and plenty of brain-themed goodies with attendees.