University of Alabama at Birmingham Traumatic Brain Injury Care System

University of Alabama/Spain Rehabilitation Center

1717 6th Ave. South
Birmingham AL 35249-7330

Project Officer: Cate Miller, Ph.D.
Project Number: 90DPTB0029

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (UAB TBIMS) provides rehabilitation services specifically designed for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The goal of this project is to improve the lives of people with TBI and their family members by identifying trends in recovery and predictors of outcome while developing interventions to improve outcome. The objectives and outcomes are to: (1) Maintain a high volume of enrollment and high rate of follow-up for the TBIMS National Database; (2) complete one site-specific research project, aimed at validating a driving simulation assessment to provide an efficient and safe alternative to assess skills related to returning to drive and identify specific weaknesses related to driving, allowing for development of highly personalized interventions; and (3) complete a module project to quantify and characterize the nature of geriatric syndromes in older adults with TBI, such as polypharmacy, frailty, multi-morbidity, cognitive impairment, fall risk, and impaired mobility. A linkage between TBIMS and Medicare data facilitates efforts to improve care for older adults. Consumer involvement, emphasis on community-based rehabilitation, relevance, and active dissemination to consumer and professional audiences are cornerstones of program development and implementation. Project outputs include clinical guidelines for return-to-driving decision making and dissemination of project outcomes through established methods for professional publications and presentation, along with consumer-focused knowledge translation.
             
  TitleEmailPhone  
Robert Brunner, M.D.
Project Directorbrunner@uab.edu(205) 975-2090
Jenny Marwitz, M.A.
Data Committee Chair 		Co-Project Directorjennifermarwitz@uabmc.edu(205) 934-2022
Thomas Novack, Ph.D.
Project Investigatornovack@uab.edu(205) 934-3454
Richard Kennedy, M.D., Ph.D.
Statisticianrekennedy@uab.edu(205) 975-7563
Kay Canupp, MSN, CRNP
Research Specialistkcanupp@uabmc.edu(205) 934-0355
Peter Waselkov
Research Specialistwaselkov@uab.edu(205) 934-0355
Drew Mauldin
Research Specialistmdmauldin@uabmc.edu(256) 572-4737
Yue Zhang, Ph.D.
Statisticianyuezhang@uabmc.edu(205) 934-9856
John Giannone
Clinical Research Coordinator IIIjdgiannone@uabmc.edu(205) 975-5237
Phil Klebine, M.A., KT Coordinator
KT Coordinatorpklebine@uabmc.edu(205) 934-3283
Sarah Banasiewicz
Research Specialistsbanasiewicz@uabmc.edu(205) 934-8195
Charlie Hughes
Research Volunteercdh0079@auburn.edu(205) 451-8884
Justess Rice
Research Specialistjustessrice@uabmc.edu(205) 934-4713