Our Mission and Contact Information

The Brain Injury Association of Illinois (BIA of IL) is a not-for-profit, statewide membership organization comprised of people with brain injuries, family members, friends and professionals. BIA of IL is part of a network of brain injury associations across the United States, and is a subsidiary of the national Brain Injury Association, Inc. (BIA) which was founded in 1980. The BIA of IL is the only organization in Illinois serving individuals with TBI, their families and professionals who treat them and is dedicated to providing information, advocacy, and support.

This is accomplished through:

• Acting as an information and resource clearinghouse

• Sponsoring annual educational programming

• Facilitation of statewide support groups

• Hosting adult and pediatric recreational camps

• Actively participating in legislative advocacy

• Fostering prevention awareness

• Encouraging research

Our intention is to assist in developing communication channels between families and professionals in a way that; improves relationships and cooperation, enhances team work and helps reduce the possibility for future resentments through proper communication.

In this new era of managed care and organizational changes, agencies search for viable options for their patients due to decreased resources, lengths of stay, and changing family structures. BIA of IL feels collaboration is critical for effective service delivery. Therefore, BIA of IL coalesces with local, state and national organizations to consistently lead Illinois into providing quality, affordable and accessible services to people with brain injuries and their families.

CONTACT INFO 

MAIL:
 Brain Injury Association of Illinois
 P.O. Box 64420
 Chicago, IL 60664-0420

E-Mail
 General Info: info@biail.org

PHONE:
 312-726-5699
 800-699-6443
 (available nationwide)

FAX:
 312-630-4011

OUR OFFICERS

Founder:

Irene Pedersen

Executive Director:

Philicia L. Deckard, BSW, LSW, CBIST

Board of Directors

Ginny Lazzara, BSN CRRN CBIST, Chair
Dawn Wentar-Henry, MHA CCC-SLP CBIST, Vice Chair
Michael J. Staab, JD LLM, Treasurer
Roger Weitz, BA, Secretary
Whitney Arado, MA
Bill Baumann, MS CRC CCM
James Cantelupe, BS
Steven J. DeAngeles, MD
Mark Doyle, BA
Nelson Escobar, MD
Maurice Harris
Hunter Hillenmeyer, MBA
Bob Love, BS
Diana Nawrocki, ATR  MAAT  M.Ed
Elizabeth Pieroth, Psy.D. 
Mary Kay Reed, RN BSN MPA 
Alexia Rickelman, BS
Jeanne Warp, BS
Ginger Zee, BS

Honorary Board Members

Michael Gelbort, Ph.D.
Mary Halper
Doug Koltun, MD
Donald J. Nolan, J.D.
Marvel Vena
James Young, MD
Larry Zachary, MD

Board Nominations

Please click here for a Brain Injury Association of Illinois Board of Directors Nomination form. All candidates are subject to review by the Board of Directors. All candidates:

• Must be members in good standing of the BIA of IL
• Must attend a minimum of four meetings per year in designated meeting
  places
• Are expected to make a financial and time commitment