New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Coordinating Council Meeting

On Wednesday, September 26th, I will have the honor of presiding as the new Chair of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council at our meeting to be held at the offices of the New York State Department of Health at  161 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York.  Delmar is just outside of Albany.  The meeting is scheduled from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM and is open to the general public.  We will have a public comment period at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Council was created by the New York State legislature and given the responsibility to make recommendations to the Health Department on long range objectives, goals and priorities on issues pertaining to traumatic brain injury.  The Council is also charged with providing advice to the Commissioner of Health on the planning, coordination and development of needed services.

I am pleased that at this first meeting as chair we will have the participation of Mark Kissinger who is the First Deputy Commissioner of Health for Long Term Care as well as representatives of the Department of Veteran's Affairs and the Superintendent of Insurance.  It is vitally important that these agencies participate in the discussions concerning needed services for victims of brain injury and their families.  We will also hear a report on the current status of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver program.

This first meeting will be a working session to formulate both short and long term goals for the Council as well as to establish working committees to investigate a wide variety of issues that need to be addressed in New York State. We will also formulate a plan so that future council meetings are held in different regions of the state enabling more individuals and professionals to participate.

I look forward to public participation at this meeting and future meetings.