Four individuals connected to the local brain injury community to be named this year’s honorees
OLD WESTBURY, N.Y.: July 26 2017 – The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS), a statewide non-profit membership organization that advocates on behalf of individuals with brain injuries and their families, announced today that four local individuals have been named the 2017 Honorees for their inaugural satellite walk on Long Island. The event, which will be held in partnership with Mind Over Matter, is scheduled for Saturday, August 26 at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) – Old Westbury campus in Old Westbury, N.Y.
“The Brain Injury Association of New York State is pleased to announce this year’s honorees,” said Eileen Reardon, BIANYS Executive Director “We have four outstanding individuals who are personally connected with or are working in the field of brain injury and are thrilled that they will serve as this year’s honorees. Each individual’s connection with brain injury is unique and through their personal stories and outreach we hope to unite hundreds of individuals on Long Island who have been impacted by this invisible injury.”
The March On for Brain Injury campaign serves as a statewide celebration. The addition of the Long Island Satellite walk to the March On for Brain Injury events, will support the organization’s growth in building awareness, visibility and understanding of brain injury across New York State. Proceeds from the event will benefit the organization’s programs and services supporting individuals statewide.
The following individuals have been named this year’s honorees:
-Partner Honoree
Jenna Mosenson
The Brain Injury Association of New York State is pleased to honor Jenna Mosenson, a 20-year-old former roller hockey player who suffered numerous concussions. She founded Mind Over Matter (mindovermatter-tbi.org) an organization dedicated to bringing awareness of and educating the public about concussion.
-Medical Honoree
Dr. Deborah M. Benson
Dr. Benson is a New York State Licensed Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with brain injury survivors and their families on Long Island. She is a Senior Director of Clinical Services at Paradigm Outcomes, maintains privileges at Northwell Health, and founded Common Ground Alliance, a Long Island volunteer organization that provides social/recreational activities for brain injury survivors and families. Dr. Benson, a former BIANYS board member, remains an active participant in BIANYS’ Long Island Chapter and is committed to serving and advocating for brain injury survivors and families.
-Youth Honoree
Donovan Maldonado
The Brain Injury Association of New York State is pleased to honor Donovan Maldonado as this year’s youth honoree. On Tuesday, January 12, 2016, Donovan “Donny” Maldonado was struck by a car while walking home from school. He suffered severe head trauma (TBI) and a shattered spleen among other ailments. After about seven months in inpatient rehab, Donny finally came home on August 22, 2016 and was able to walk and talk again. This special young man as made a miraculous journey and he is not finished yet!
-Corporate Honoree
Dr. Hallie Zwibel, New York Institute of Technology – Center for Sports Medicine
The Brain Injury Association of New York State is pleased to honor Dr. Hallie Zwibel of New York Institute of Technology- Center for Sports Medicine as this year’s Corporate Honoree. At the NYIT Center for Sports Medicine, the multidisciplinary team includes over 40 providers specializing in neurology, sports medicine, pediatrics, and psychology, in addition to occupational and physical therapies. Currently, the Center provides injury and illness management, concussion care, and education, to the over 800 NYIT and LIO Post collegiate athletes, the NYIT community of students, faculty, and staff, as well as patients in the local community.
The March On for Brain Injury Long Island Satellite event will feature a fun walk and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Attendees will gather at the Riland Health Care Center on the NYIT-Old Westbury campus. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. start time for the walk. Attendees are encouraged to walk at their own pace.
Since its inception, nearly $185,000 has been raised through March On for Brain Injury events across New York State to support programs and services provided by the organization. As part of their statewide campaign, BIANYS will be also be hosting March on for Brain Injury event in Rochester and Hudson Valley.
March on for Brain Injury – Long Island is presented by the Brain Injury Association of New York State in partnership with Mind Over Matter. Additional support for the event is provided by: J & G Associates, NYIT Center for Sports Medicine and Northwell Health Rehabilitation Network. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Erica Rossin by phone at 518-459-7911 or via email at erossin@bianys.org.
For more information or to register, visit https://hudsonvalleymarchon.bianys.org/LongIsland.
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