• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Choose which site to search.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Logo University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Institute for Digital Health & Innovation: Brain Injury Program
  • UAMS Health
  • Jobs
  • Giving
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Arkansas Brain Injury Council (ABIC)
      • Arkansas Brain Injury Council Membership Application
    • Contact Us
  • Calendar
  • For Professionals
    • Arkansas Trauma Rehabilitation Symposium
    • Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
    • Clinical Guidelines
    • CDC TRAIN Learning Network
    • Justice Trainings
    • NASHIA Webinars
    • TBI Registry
    • Telemedicine Training
    • Other Professional Educational Resources
  • Community Educational Resources
    • Brain Waves Newsletter
    • Educational Opportunities
    • Educational Videos
    • Justice Trainings
    • Medical Terms Glossary
    • Resource Guide
    • Turning Pages Together eBook Club
  • Community Resource Directory
    • THRIVE Workshop
      • Meet the THRIVE Team
    • CARE Workshop
    • Brain Injury Support Groups
    • Accessible Travel & Transportation
    • Assistive Technology and Medical Supplies
    • Brain Injury Providers
    • Brain & Spine Call Center
    • Career Resources
    • Caregiver Support
    • Disability Organizations
    • Financial Assistance & Social Services
    • Mental Health Support
    • Recreation & Healthy Lifestyle
    • Statewide Community Resources Portal
    • Survivor Stories
    • Telemedicine
  • Pediatric Resources
    • Arkansas Children’s Hospital
    • Arkansas Children’s Hospital Resource Connect
    • Administrator Resources
    • Educator Resources
    • Parent & Caregiver Resources
    • Research Resources
    • Concussion & Youth Sports Resources
    • Symptom-Based Resources
    • Provider/SPED Resources
    • School Nurse Resources
    • School Psychologist Resources
    • Speech-Language Pathologist Resources
    • More Helpful Resources
  • Upcoming Events
  • In Memorium
  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. Institute for Digital Health & Innovation
  3. Brain Injury Program
  4. About Us
  5. Arkansas Brain Injury Council (ABIC)

Arkansas Brain Injury Council (ABIC)

Mission Statement: The mission of the ABIC is to engage, integrate, inspire and advocate for brain injury stakeholders to help achieve the Statewide Vision for Brain Injury policies and services throughout Arkansas.

Purpose: It shall be the purpose of the ABIC to act as an energetic and dynamic group of people who shall provide their time and expertise in the areas of leadership and implementation to pursue the (Voice Generated) Statewide Vision for Brain Injury Policies and Services. The ABIC shall advise the Arkansas Department of Health, the lead state agency (TBD) in the realm of brain injury, on matters that include, but are not limited to, implementation of the Annual Brain Injury State Plan and the federal traumatic brain injury (TBI) grant.

Arkansas Brain Injury Council Membership Application

If you are interested in applying to be a part of the Arkansas Brain Injury Council, please fill out the online application.

Brain Injury Positions

  • Tony Thornton, RN, FP-C, EMT-P, CCP-C, Chair
  • Edward Rinehart, Vice-Chair
  • Ralph Lusher
  • Tamika Washington
  • Gary Higgins
  • Laura Dina, BA
  • Jan Williams
  • Open Position (person living with a brain injury)
  • Bruce Stowe
  • Jennifer Rizzo
  • Open Position (family member/caregiver of an adult living with brain injury)
  • Jill Chamness (parent of person living with a brain injury)

Agency Representatives

  • Kristie Hayes, Business Operations Manager, Division of Medical Services, DHS
  • Stacy Gravett, MA, CRC, Vocational Rehab Counselor, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
  • Jim Mather, PhD, Executive Director, Sources for Community Independent Living Services
    • FranSha’ Anderson, MBA, DD, Executive Director, Arkansas State Independent Living Council (Alternate)
  • Claudia Sanders, Community Liaison, Southern Administrative Services
  • Kelly Urban, PhD, Med, RN, CCRN-K, TCRN, Education Outreach & Injury Prevention Coordinator, Trauma Program, UAMS
  • Lorrie George-Paschal, PhD, OTR/L, ATP; Professor and Research Coordinator, UCA
  • Bethany Compton, MCD CCC/SLP, Speech/Language Pathology Consultant, Low Incidence Liaison for Brain Injury, Easterseals Arkansas Outreach Program and Technology Services In Association with DESE/OSE
  • Open Position – Criminal Justice
  • Susan Pierce, Director of Policy, Disability Rights Arkansas
    • Tom Masseau, Disability Rights Arkansas (Alternate)
  • Morgan Purkiss, PT, DPT, CBIS, Pediatric Subcommittee, Therapy Coordinator, Easterseals Arkansas

ABIC Quarterly Meetings

The ABIC meets virtually quarterly and is open to the public. To be added to the invite, please email braininjury@uams.edu.
  • Upcoming: May 13, 2025
  • February 11, 2025 (retreat, closed to the public)
  • November 12, 2024
  • August 13, 2024
  • May 14, 2024
  • February 6, 2024
  • November 7, 2023
  • August 11, 2023
  • May 9, 2023
  • November 8, 2022
  • August 9, 2022
  • May 10, 2022
  • February 8, 2022

Arkansas State Plan for TBI 2018-2021

Arkansas-State-Plan-for-TBI-2018-2021-508COMPLIANTDownload

Subpages

  • Arkansas Brain Injury Council Membership Application
Institute for Digital Health & Innovation LogoInstitute for Digital Health & InnovationInstitute for Digital Health & Innovation
Mailing Address: 4301 W. Markham St., #519-4, Little Rock, AR 72205
Contact Us: (501) 526-6576
24/7 Nurse Hotline: (855) 767-6983
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

© 2025 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences