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Speakers

Abby Azeltine, PhD.

Director of Assistive Technology for Kansans

Ryan Pferdehirt, D. Bioethics, HED-C

Vice President of Ethics Services

Eric Hansen, LSCSW, LMAC

Adjunct Professor Fort Hays State University

Annette Maggard Lewer, MOT, OTR/L, CDRS

Driving Program Coordinator

Nicholas Guess, OTD, OTR/L

Licensed Occupational Therapist

Kelli Pope, BS

Education Liaison

Stephanie Kolakowsky-Hayner, PhD, CBIST, FACRM

Neuroscience Research Director at Saint Luke's

Dr. Cherryl Ann Clark, D.D.

Author, Prolific Speaker, Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter, and National Recording Artist

Leif Leaf, PhD.

Clinical Neuropsychologist

Laura Howard

Secretary for Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and Kansas Department for Children and Families

Brad Steinle, MD

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine

Emily Ptacek

Brain Injury Survivor

Annie Buckland, RN

Violence and Injury Prevention Coordinator and Trauma Survivor Network Coordinator

Dr. Imran Musaji, PhD, CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Wichita State Univesity; Director Computer-Mediated Communication Lab

Elizabeth Pierce, DPT

Physical Therapist

Quincey Carroll, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Samantha L. Shepherd, JD, LLM, CELA

Founder and Managing Attorney of Shepherd Elder Law Group

Anne Gusewelle, JD

ADR Mediator, US Equal Opportunity Employment Commission

2026 Annual Brain Injury Professional Conference

Date

April 16-17, 2026

Time

7:30am - 5:00pm

Minds Matter, LLC is a proud sponsor of The Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City’s (BIAKS) 2026 Annual Brain Injury Professional Conference.

The 2026 BIAKS Professional Conference marks the first time our statewide brain injury community is coming together under one unified annual event. This gathering brings providers, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and supporters into the same space to learn from one another, build meaningful connections, and strengthen the collaborative spirit that drives better outcomes for people living with brain injury.

Across two days, attendees will engage with leading clinicians, researchers, policymakers, assistive technology specialists, legal experts, and individuals with lived experience as they explore current issues shaping brain injury care. Sessions highlight federal and state policy changes, TBI Model Systems research, ethical considerations, innovations in rehabilitation and technology, pediatric and school‑age recovery, responsible AI use, long‑term adaptation, driving rehabilitation, family dynamics, and survivor‑centered support. Designed for professionals across rehabilitation, education, behavioral health, medicine, and community services, the conference offers high‑quality continuing education while fostering a stronger, more connected brain injury community