Karen Casey, FCSE, HFE, MBE, TBI Survivor

Karen Casey, FCSE, HFE, MBE, TBI Survivor, Certified Nature Therapist

I grew up in Western Wisconsin, and earned a teaching degree in Family & Consumer Science Education, Health & Fitness Education and concentrations in Psychology and Human Development & Family Studies.  I was involved in two high speed car accidents that left me with a Traumatic Brain Injury.  These two accidents ended my K-12 teaching career. Even though my life has completely changed, my passion has not.  I continue to posses an innate desire and sincere interest in guiding others to understand they have the power within to heal, especially through nature and forest therapy. Therefore, I recently received certification as an Earth & Nature Therapy Guide.

George Chapko Jr., BBIG Support Group

George Chapko Jr., BBIG Support Group

My name is George Chapko, I had a stroke 10 years ago in 2014 at the age of 41. Before my stroke I was a process specialist for a computer hard drive component factory where we worked building hard drive read/write heads.  I was also a cook and a security guard before that. My educational background is I have a two-year associates degree in police science and protective services, but after my stroke, it was no longer an option for me to pursue. I’m also a dad of a beautiful 17 yr old young lady who is my life and the biggest motivator in becoming as much a productive member of society as possible with my goal is to be the best dad I can be. My stroke changed my life in a matter of seconds but with a lot of hard work, I’m back to being close to what I was before my acquired brain injury.  I found that my brain injury support groups were a huge factor in changing my mindset in life. I call them my extended family, as they have always been there for me and have lifted me up. With their guidance, I feel like life has turned around and I am ready to conquer and overcome everything that comes at me in my present and future.  They have become role models to me and have shown me the power that groups can have.  I very much look forward to presenting in the small group at The Power of Peers...thank you for the opportunity.

Ross Christianson

Ross Christianson

As a devoted father of three, my life took a turn when my youngest son endured a traumatic brain injury in 2015. Since then, I've dedicated myself to his recovery and advocacy, navigating the complexities of social dynamics, legalities, and financial challenges. Born and raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm, my roots in the Midwest shaped my work ethic and values. I pursued an education at UW Stout, which led to a fulfilling 30-year career in Industrial Technology in Central Minnesota, where I also raised my family. In recent years, I've returned to Wisconsin, contributing over a decade of expertise to the medical device sector in the Twin Cities, all while standing steadily (but shaken at times) by my son's side.

Erwin Concepcion, PhD, Minnesota DHS

Erwin Concepcion, PhD, Minnesota DHS

Dr. Erwin Concepcion has over 20 years of clinical and administrative experience in psychology. Dr. Concepcion has specialized in clinical consultation and practice focusing on individuals with mental health conditions who also present with co-occurring conditions related to brain injury and substance use disorders. He has practiced in a variety of care settings including physical medicine and rehabilitation, outpatient mental health, medical centers, and state psychiatric programs. Currently, Dr. Concepcion is involved in helping to bridge DHS State Operated Services and the Department’s Adult Mental Health policy division in implementing best practices.

Kathleen Connolly

Kathleen Connolly

Kathy Connolly has worked with victims of domestic abuse for over thirty years. She has seen brain injury in victims of domestic abuse and sought to find services for them.  Although retired, she currently serves on BRAIN Fox Valley and continues to educate the community regarding brain injury and seek to find resources to meet the needs of persons struggling with brain injury.

Shane Dangerfield, MD

Shane Dangerfield, MD

Shane Dangerfield, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah where he serves as a Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, as well as the Medical Director of the Spina Bifida program.

Dr. Dangerfield received his undergraduate education in Biochemistry at the University of Utah and his Medical Degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit Michigan where he was the recipient of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Student Achievement Award. He then completed a combined Pediatric and PM&R residency through Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center and was a representative for his program on the Resident Council.

His clinical and research interests include chronic management of children with severe disability with a focus on spasticity management, pain, orthotics, and quality of life.

Dmitry Esterov, MD - Mayo Clinic Model System

Dmitry Esterov, MD - Mayo Clinic Model System

Dmitry Esterov, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with specialty interest in Neurological Rehabilitation including the rehabilitation of individuals with Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury, through the spectrum of disease severity.

Dr. Esterov is an integral participant in the PM&R Resident and Fellowship program. He provides one-on-one training to learners for areas in Brain Injury, Neuromuscular Disorders, Spasticity Management, and Inpatient Rehabilitation. He is part of the Brain Rehab Core Curriculum Committee, creating and revising the curriculum and lectures for incoming residents and fellows.

Along with his clinical practice and education responsibilities, Dr. Esterov also has presented as an expert across the United States and world-wide on subjects such as:

Mood and Anxiety Disorders after Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Neuropharmacology after TBI
Disorders of Consciousness
Mild TBI and Post-Concussive Syndrome

Jerry Hoepner, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow

Jerry Hoepner, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow

Dr. Jerry Hoepner is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. He began teaching for UWEC CSD in 2003. He teaches courses in anatomy and physiology, undergraduate research, acquired cognitive disorders, dysphagia, and counseling.

His research addresses healthcare perceptions, video self-modeling interventions for persons with acquired language or cognitive disorders, counseling methods and training, undergraduate research, non-course based learning, and instructional pedagogies.

He is a founding editor of Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences and Disorders (TLCSD) and editorial board member for Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders (CACD). He is an Aphasia Access affiliate and interviewer for the Aphasia Access Conversations Podcast series. He is a co-founder of the UWEC CSD SoTL Lab (scholarship of teaching and learning research). He continues to  have a regular role in clinical contexts and supervision. He is a co-founder of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Camp, co-founder of the Mayo Brain Injury Group, and founder of the Blugold Brain Injury Group. He also co-facilitates a Thursday Poetry Group for people with brain injuries and aphasia. Outside of work, Jerry is an avid outdoors person and enjoys traveling/spending time with his family. 

Audrey Nelson, MS

Audrey Nelson, MS

In 1981 Audrey experienced a brain Injury in a car accident during her Freshman year of college; she was 18. In 1983, she was a co-founder and facilitator of a brain injury support group in Eau Claire that met for over 30 years. 

Audrey earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in 1987 and subsequently, a Graduate degree in Vocational Rehabilitation in 1994.  Since 1985, she has had several different roles on the board of directors of the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin. She also currently serves on the Mayo Clinic Brain Injury Advisory Board. Audrey began Reality Unlimited, LLC in 1995, providing residential care for individuals with brain injury.  She recently sold this company and is looking forward to the next chapter in her work in brain injury advocacy. One of her most exciting projects was started in 2020, a brain injury & poetry support group that recently published a book of poetry. 

She is the mother of 3 adult children and recently, a proud grandmother who loves to spend time with her family.

Michelle Logeman

Michelle Logeman

My name is Michelle Logemann, and I sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in December 2001 while driving to work. A parolee was high on cocaine and ran a red light, broadsiding me on my driver’s side door. My injuries were extensive, I coded several times, needed 3 transfusions, and was seven months pregnant at the time – thus needing an emergency c-section.

Twelve hours later, my baby passed away from blunt force trauma, and I was in a coma, with little hope for survival, let alone an independent life.

While miraculous, my recovery has been a journey of both victories and defeats. As my amnesia faded and mobility returned, I realized everything that had been taken away from me – my son, my career, my mental abilities, my ability to interact appropriately in social situations, etc... I became obsessed with “getting back to who I was”. Coming to peace with the fact that I would never be that person again, and learning to appreciate who I had become, has been the most valuable part of my ongoing recovery.

I hope that the insights I have gained over the past twenty-two years will be helpful to others.

Jenny Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS

Jenny Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS

Jennifer P. Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at The Ohio State University and a clinical researcher at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. She has over a decade of experience working as a speech-language pathologist on a pediatric rehabilitation unit. Her clinical, teaching, and research interests include cognitive-communication disorders associated with complex pediatric medical conditions, such as acquired brain injury (ABI). Specifically, her research focuses on improving gaps in access to and utilization of services designed to support children and adolescents with ABI and identifying specific approaches that would improve assessment and treatment practices following pediatric ABI.

Diane Mandler

Diane Mandler

Diane worked in county mental health for almost 40 years. She was a clinical social worker who specialized in the provision of crisis  services. Prior to retirement she became involved in the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region’s exploration of brain injuries in the local community. BRAIN Fox Valley was organized to address the issue of how the community could better serve those with brain injuries. When Diane retired she continued with BRAIN Fox Valley. Currently Diane and Kathy Conolly co chair the group.

Lauren Moen, BSW

Lauren Moen, BSW

As Pillars Crisis Housing Manager, Lauren’s role is to oversee shelter programming, day-to-day operations, and basic needs-related services for clients experiencing homelessness whose barriers include alcohol and drug addictions, mental health challenges, and employment and housing struggles. She joined the Fox Valley Warming Shelter in the fall of 2016 as shelter manager and has remained in that role through the transition of the Merger to Pillars Adult Shelter and Pillars Resource Center. She has worked in group homes with high-barrier youth and at women’s domestic violence and sexual assault homeless centers while in college. Lauren has worked with the unhoused population for over 10 years. Lauren graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with bachelor’s degrees in social work and sociology and a minor in women’s gender studies.

She points to watching clients make forward progress, flourish, and become proud of themselves as her favorite part of her job. Lauren finds it rewarding when the men and women who come to Pillars Adult Shelter make advances in learning basic life skills, improving their mental and physical health, and obtaining work, income, and housing, and becoming self sufficient out in the community.

Lisa Monopoli

Lisa Monopoli, TBI Survivor/Warrior

I am a face of Brain Injury. My name is Lisa Monopoli.

Nurturing is a big part of who I am. A mother of three productive adults, and three beautiful grandchildren. I’ve worked with children, most of my life in various settings. Our home was always a gathering place for my children and their friends. I was a hairdresser by trade.

My first traumatic brain injury (TBI) happened at age 16. I was thrown head first through the side door window of a car.  Splitting my forehead open, followed by banging the back of my head on the curb repeatedly because my body was in shock. This closed brain injury, led to memory loss, seizure disorder, inner ear concussion, and more. Five years later, I was dragged by a pick up truck causing a second TBI. The back tires ran over my mid section, causing neck and lower back trauma, bursitis, a rotating pelvis, and extensive road rash. Doctors mistakenly declared my brain injury was healed shortly thereafter. I spent many years ignoring my pain, pushing my body and mind beyond their limits with the thought of being healed. I’ve had more surgeries than I care to recollect. I continue to live each day in chronic pain. Brain injury “flooding,” sensory overload resulting from too much information for the brain to organize and process, led to embarrassment, shame, guilt, and more. A house full of people just talking and doing life led to overstimulation and random verbal outbursts, followed by seizures. My journey has been long and continuous.

Poetry has been healing for me, like peeling back the layers of an onion. I found people who love me as I am. I enjoy writing poetry with like minded survivors. I am both humbled and grateful to be asked to speak.

Katie Paulson

Kathryn Paulson, TBI Survivor

My name is Kathryn Paulson. I am a seven year TBI survivor. I fell on black ice, fractured my skull and had a subarachnoid hemorrhage on the temporal lobe of my right side. My recovery has included some of the typical therapies, but when I started writing poetry in October of 2020, I began to heal in ways traditional therapy never touched. I feel seen, while regaining an identity as someone other than a person with TBI. Poetry helps me understand myself better and has allowed me to help fellow
survivors. My poems have been published in Rattle, TBI Hope and Inspiration and Poets Choice. Along with the Thursday Night Poets, I have contributed to two chapbooks “I Don’t Think I Did This Right” published in 2022 and “Poetry is Chocolate” published in 2023. We are currently working on our third book. With my work at the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin (BIAW.org) I continue to be an advocate for brain injury survivors, families and caregivers. 

Lori Peterson

Lori Peterson

Lori Peterson was born and raised on a small dairy farm in Turtle Lake, WI. She earned AAS in Accounting from Rasmussen School of Business, Minneapolis and her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. Lori served as Executive Director of the American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) from 1992-2000 while at the American Academy of Neurology and eventually moved with the Society to an independent Association Management Company. 

Prior to a car accident and resulting in a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2009, Ms. Peterson served as the Vice President of a successful Association Management Company and was Executive Director of several non-profit professional neuroscience for 10+ years including the ASNR, the American Neurological Association (ANA), the Association of University Professors of Neurology (AUPN), and the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM).  Following the accident, she was in a coma for a week at the Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire and remained there for 1 month.  As a result of the extensive injuries, Lori was unable to return to my former career, as it required frequent national and international travel, and long hours sometimes in excess of 60 in a fast-paced and high stress environment.  

After much rehabilitation, she was the Assistant Librarian at the Turtle Lake Public Library for 6+ years (2011-present).  Lori loved her career prior to the accident, but Library Science opened new doors for her.

Lori resigned, to write and self-publish a personal memoir chronicling her journey back from TBI.  With God’s strength, mercy and grace, she has learned how not only to survive TBI, but to thrive from it.  She wants to share this good news of hope and inspiration to all who have, will, or are going through a traumatic event that, with enough determination and the will to live, as well as  the support of excellent neurotrauma and rehabilitation teams, plus faith in a higher power to hang onto, and the love and support of family and friends, one can not only survive but thrive after anything – even a near fatal brain injury!

Kathie Rotz, BrainHealth Licensed Trainer

Kathie Rotz, BrainHealth Licensed Trainer

Kathie Rotz brings clarity to individuals interested in growth. Her passion is to challenge thinking and behavioral habits so that we all are more efficient and empowered in our life’s mission. Kathie has over 25 years of experience in personal growth and development, as well as a certification in John Maxwell leadership content. She has created onboarding programs, competency framework tools, and leadership initiatives, expanding her skills as a speaker, trainer, and coach. Kathie has partnered with higher education institutions to create a Leadership Academy that aids professionals in personal and team development.

Julie Schwamb Feil, MSW, LCSW

Julie Schwamb Feil, MSW, LCSW

Julie specializes in providing families and individuals living with memory disorders information, resources, education, and supportive counseling.  Each person’s journey is unique and can be lengthy, so facilitating education and support groups along the way and coordinating needs as they arise is also a critical aspect of her role on the Neurology team. As a team member of our Concussion Clinic, Julie provides short term counseling and support to those suffering the effects of the trauma of a brain injury or concussion. Her 30 years of experience in the field of medical social work in both hospitals and clinics, have prepared her for understanding and helping individuals with complex medical and social situations,as well as grief and loss associated with the impact of illness.  Julie takes a wholistic view and realizes that brain diseases affect the person and the entire family in many ways.

“My focus is promoting brain health strategies and maximizing what each person’s strengths are! Listening and focusing on what the person “can” do and maintaining their dignity and the essence of who they are as a person is important to me.”

Benjamin Siebert, MD, FAAPMR

Benjamin Siebert, MD, FAAPMR

Dr. Siebert has found that investing in his patients is an important part of patient care. While keeping a realistic outlook, he tries to help patients focus on what they can achieve and encourages them to keep an optimistic attitude. He has the unique opportunity to be involved in the lives of his patients at all stages of their conditions, which is a challenging yet rewarding responsibility for him. Dr. Siebert has a special interest in traumatic brain injury, headache, and pain.

Eric Spier, MD

Eric Spier, MD

Eric T. Spier, MD, serves as the Brain Injury Program Medical Director and Outpatient Brain Injury Medical Director at Craig Hospital. He also serves as Neurorehabilitation Consultant at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver, a Level I Trauma Center.

Dr. Spier earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and completed his residency at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven and the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He is boarded in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Brain Injury Medicine.

He joined the medical staff at Craig Hospital in 2016 after building and serving as the Medical Director for Mentis El Paso, a 24-bed post-acute neurorehabilitation program that served West Texas, New Mexico and surrounding areas.

Dr. Spier serves as the Medical Director for the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado and also serves as the Medical Director for the Board of Governors of the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists.

He has co-authored textbook chapters in the field of brain injury medicine.

Thomas Tatlock, MD

Thomas Tatlock, MD

Dr. Tatlock graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, did a straight internal medicine internship, and completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison, WI.

On May 19, 1999, he fell off a ladder and sustained a traumatic brain injury that forced him make an early, involuntary retirement. He has presented on brain injury and the persons who are experiencing homelessness, locally, regionally and nationally. He presented to the national conference of the NHCHC (National Health Care for the Homeless Council) in 2010 and 2011. He served on the Advisory Committee on Adapting Clinical practice for the Care of Homeless Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury for Carolyn Lemskey, PhD who wrote ADAPTING YOUR PRACTICE, Recommendations for the care of Patients, who are Homeless or Unstably Housed Living with the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury. He is a member of BRAIN-Fox Valley.

Sarah Thomsen, Former Anchor WBAY

Sarah Thomsen, Former Anchor WBAY

Sarah Thomsen joined Action 2 News in March of 2003 as a weekend anchor and news reporter. She became the Action 2 News at 4 anchor when the show launched in 2006.

Sarah is a native to the Midwest, growing up in central Iowa. She moved to Wisconsin in 2001, working as a reporter at a La Crosse television station before moving to Green Bay.

She earned her electronic media and public relations degree from Wartburg College in Iowa. There, she worked in both the news and sports departments in radio and television, reporting from the sidelines at football and basketball games.

When she's not on the anchor desk, Sarah is out in the community, often covering crime or public safety-related stories. She's an award-winning investigative reporter, earning journalism's coveted Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting five consecutive years. Sarah has also been recognized with top investigative awards from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and multiple Eric Sevareid awards from the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association.

Sarah and her husband, John, married in 2006. They have four young children that keep them on the move! Sarah loves running, biking, and spending time with family and friends and attending her children's sporting events. She's run countless half-marathons but finally crossed a 26.2 mile marathon of her bucket list! Sarah is also a true farm-girl at heart and loves spending time outdoors or on the family farm, even if that means baling hay or fixing fence.

Depending on the sports season, you'll catch her in front of the television cheering on her favorite teams: the Packers, the Cubs, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Audrey Nelson, MS*
Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin

Michael Lace, PhD

Erin Schultz-Wege, MSW, Executive Director *
SOAR Fox Cities, Inc.

Benjamin Siebert, MD, FAAPMR
Neuroscience Group

Traci Snedden, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing

Name 

Role 

Financial Relationship Disclosures 

Discussion of Unlabeled/ Unapproved uses of drugs/devices in presentation? 

Nina Berge

Karen Casey

George Chapko

Ross Christianson

No

Kathy Connolly

No

No

Speaker/Author

Yes

Sue Gaard

Committee Member

No

Committee Member

No

Planner

No

Michael Lace

Planner

No

Speaker/Author

Speaker/Author

Tracy Mrochek

Committee Member

No

Audrey Nelson

Course Director, Planner, Speaker/Author

No

No

Committee Member

No

Kathie Rotz

Erin Schultz-Wege

Course Director, Planner

No

Julie Schwamb Feil

Benjamin Siebert

Planner/Speaker

No

Traci Snedden

Planner

No

Eric Spier

Speaker/Author

Yes

Sasha St. John

Planner, Speaker/Author

No

Planner, Speaker/Author

Planner, Speaker/Author