2019

ANNUAL REPORT

DEFENSE AND VETERANS BRAIN INJURY CENTER
| 2 3 |

Dear Colleagues and Collaborators:

As I reflect back on 2019, I am impressed with the breadth of our accomplishments. Our research network has 

participated in 80 studies and numerous performance improvement projects. We completed one major clinical 

recommendation and provided one modification, led the development of an enterprise-wide TBI outcomes initiative, and 

delivered 3,605 educational events. Additionally, we have published 57 manuscripts and delivered 163 presentations.

Specifically, 2019 saw the release of the Cognitive Rehabilitation Suite, the Headache Virtual Suite, and the Concussion 

Management Tool. We experienced a greater sense of collegiality at the Senior Clinical Research Directors Meeting and 

the Regional Education Coordinators (RECs) Meeting. DVBIC continues to lead four of the six lines of research effort 

identified by the Defense Department to promote warfighter brain health. Our communications and dissemination efforts 

involve the regular production of the CUBIST podcast and numerous outreach efforts from A Head for the Future initiative. 

In all of these endeavors, I remain impressed with how our Research, Clinical Affairs, and Education branches 

productively interact. Research regularly produces empirical studies that fill knowledge gaps. Using this, Clinical Affairs 

formulates recommendations for providers. Education translates these recommendations into products that our RECs 

provide to our stakeholders. Subsequently, the effectiveness of this educational outreach has become a subject of 

inquiry for our researchers. These collaborations demonstrate the esprit de corps across our branches.

The coming year will continue to be a time of change within the Defense Health Agency (DHA) with the transfer of 

control of military treatment facilities, determined focus on warfighter readiness, and resolute pursuit of increased 

efficiencies. As members of DHA, DVBIC and our directorate are not exempt from these challenges of change, but I 

am confident that we will be able to consistently demonstrate the benefits of our work.

Looking back on these developments, we should feel proud that we have continued to fulfill our mission of supporting 

service members, veterans, and their families. Continue to cultivate excellence in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Navy Capt. (Dr.) Scott W. Pyne

Leadership 4

DVBIC as an Organization 5

Research 6

Education 11

Clinical Affairs 15

Communications 17

Presentations 19

Publications 22

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Cover Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Anton Soukup

Vision & Plan Contents

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Letter from the Division Chief, DVBIC

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
| 4 5 |

Division Chief

U.S. Navy Capt. Scott W. Pyne 

Captain Pyne manages all key activities of DVBIC. 

Also, he directs the Department of Defense (DoD) 

TBI Pathway of Care. He holds a Bachelor of Science 

from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, 

and a Doctorate of Medicine from Temple University 

School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He completed his 

family medicine internship and residency at the Naval 

Hospital Jacksonville, Florida, and a fellowship in 

primary care sports medicine in San Diego. 

In July 1999, Captain Pyne was assigned to the Naval Health Clinic Quantico, Virginia, and from June 2003 until July 2009, he 

was assigned to Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, Maryland. In July of 2009, he deployed to the Expeditionary Medical Facility 

Kuwait. Following a three-year stint in the office of the Medical Inspector General for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, he 

returned to the Naval Health Clinic Annapolis in August 2012. There, he served as the Naval Academy admissions medical 

officer, concussion clinic coordinator, physician for varsity football and rugby teams, and as a clinical staff physician. 

Captain Pyne is board-certified in family medicine (with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Primary Care Sports Medicine), an 

assistant professor of family medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), Bethesda, Maryland, 

and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American 

Medical Society of Sports Medicine. He has authored several scientific publications and given numerous regional, national, 

and international presentations. Military decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy 

Achievement Medal (2), and numerous additional campaign and service medals.

DVBIC originated from the Vietnam Head Injury Study, which began in 1974 and consisted of a registry for head and spinal cord 

injuries. A similar registry was set up in the first Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s, and Congress created the Defense and 

Veterans Head Injury Program in 1992. Today, DVBIC operates under the Defense Health Agency’s Research and Development 

Directorate (J9). DVBIC’s three branches of Research, Clinical Affairs, and Education work interactively to achieve the mission of 

promoting state-of-the-science care from point-of-injury to reintegration for service members, veterans, and their families. The 

primary activity of each branch can be characterized as follows: 

 Research generates hypothesis-driven, clinically-focused studies by identifying knowledge gaps in the scientific literature, as 

well as responding to congressional mandates and evaluating our clinical tools. 

 Clinical Affairs develops clinical recommendations to health care providers based on scientific findings and epidemiological studies.

 Education translates scientific findings into formats that can be understood by various stakeholders, and then disseminated 

through the outreach activities of the DVBIC network.

As represented schematically below, the branches actively collaborate by engaging key clinical stakeholders in the development 

of DVBIC products. These stakeholders identify needs and gaps, review and analyze evidence, and actively participate in 

product development, dissemination and outreach, and implementation and adoption.

DVBIC’S Knowledge Translation Lifecycle

DEFENSE AND VETERANS BRAIN INJURY CENTER (DVBIC)

Introduction

These components are not mutually exclusive, nor 

performed in isolation. As a continuous process, 

key components of KT inform one another to drive 

DVBIC’s Knowledge Translation Lifecycle

Assessment & EvaluatioA

n

ss

ation

Continuous

Stakeholder

Communication

& Engagement

sess

s

Dissemination

& Outreach

valuati

Product

Development

Implementation 

& Sustained 

Adoption

Needs & Gaps 

Identification

New

Research

Evidence

Review &

Analysis

Understanding the current KT landscape and process 

at DVBIC strengthens the ability to address gaps, 

incorporate evidence-based solutions and reduce 

Vision & Plan

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

DVBIC

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Leadership as an Organization DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
| 6 7 |

Research Highlights

DVBIC provides evidence-based knowledge to support militarily- and clinically-relevant, gaps-driven TBI research. To increase 

military readiness, the Research Branch focuses on warfighter TBI care, adapts to the changing research and congressional 

landscape, harnasses the expertise from individual sites, and fosters collaboration between government, academia, and industry 

to create products and policy recommendations that will improve treatment and outcomes for service members and veterans 

who have sustained TBIs. 

Network Site Locations & Areas of Research Expertise

DVBIC has 16 military treatment facilities and five Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals. Of these, 18 conduct research into 

various aspects of TBI. Each site performs research based on its particular area of expertise, and they collaborate when there 

are areas of overlap. 

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center Sites

Joint Base 

Elmendorf-Richardson, AK

Joint Base Fort Carson, CO Minneapolis VA, MN Fort Drum, NY

Lewis-McChord, WA

Palo Alto VA, CA Walter Reed NMMC, MD

DVBIC Headquarters

Silver Spring, MD

Fort Belvoir, VA

Richmond VA, VA

Camp Lejeune, NC

Tampa VA, FL Fort Bragg, NC

USSOCOM

Camp Pendleton, CA Fort Bliss, TX San Antonio MMC, TX San Antonio VA, TX Fort Campbell, KY

Landstuhl RMC, 

Germany

NMC San Diego, CA Fort Hood, TX

National HQ

The Warfighter Brain Health Memorandum

Issued by the Deputy Secretary of Defense in October of 2018, the memo called for a comprehensive strategy to address 

TBI based on six focus areas — research, treatment/diagnosis, education, surveillance, long-term effects, and blast. DVBIC’s 

leadership team is leading efforts to draft an actionable TBI strategic research plan for DHA and J9 in collaboration with USU. 

This memo also shapes DVBIC’s current work in Education and Clinical Affairs.

Senior Clinical Research Directors Conference in Silver Spring

On June 13-14, DVBIC staff from headquarters and 16 network sites attended a two-day Senior Clinical Research 

Directors meeting. The meeting’s purpose was to understand and review DVBIC’s mission drivers and to evaluate the 

current research portfolio. 

Research Branch Chief Dr. Safaan Malik noted that DVBIC produced “military-relevant, gaps-driven TBI research” and pointed out 

that it currently conducts or supports 80 research studies, advances evidence-based clinical practice, and fosters collaboration 

between interagency stakeholders (e.g., National Institutes of Health) and other industry/academic collaborators.

Some general takeaways from the meeting included the following:

 The importance of collaboration 

 Leveraging the network for best practices on topics of shared concern

 Challenging each site to identify concrete ways to optimize its portfolio

Vision & Plan Research

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Research

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

DVBIC researchers collaborate to make sure its portfolio advances evidence-based clinical practice. (DVBIC Photo)
| 8 9 |

Congressionally Mandated Studies

In 2007, Congress directed the Secretary of Defense to conduct a longitudinal 

study on the effects of traumatic brain injury incurred by members of the Armed 

Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, as well 

as their families. In 2009, DVBIC was directed to fulfill this mandate.

DVBIC supports multiple component studies collectively referred to as the 15-Year 

Studies. These are the Natural History of TBI Study, the Caregiver and Family 

Member Study, and the Archival Studies. In 2015, a VA-based “sister-study” was 

launched known as the Improved Understanding of Medical and Psychological 

(IMAP) Needs in Service Members and Veterans with Chronic Traumatic Brain 

Injury. IMAP focuses on rehabilitation and supplements the existing infrastructure 

of the VA Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Program. The Natural History, Caregiver, and IMAP studies are actively 

collecting data and preparing for the Year 11 report due to Congress in 2021.

Highlights from 2019

Across The Natural History, Caregiver and IMAP studies, there were 27 publications and 58 presentations in 2019. Since the 

inception of the studies, there have been more than 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts and over 300 conference presentations. 

These studies generated important findings on the impact of mood, sleep, chronic pain and PTSD on TBI, as well as long-term 

quality of life issues in both rehabilitation for persons with TBIs and their caregiver’s needs. 

For example, the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation featured a special issue on Caregivers of TBI, which highlighted 

the TBI Caregiver Quality of Life Measurement tool, the first of a kind to assess military and civilian caregivers. The tool has been 

validated and is in use at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the lead site for the study focusing on caregivers.

In December, TBI stakeholders gathered in Tampa, Florida, to discuss data and recommendations to be included in the 2021 

Year 11 report to Congress. The meeting provided a unique opportunity for 15-Year and IMAP study investigators to present the 

cumulative findings and discuss their impact for clinicians, administrators, patients, caregivers, and researchers.

Research Reviews

On its website, DVBIC publishes scientific literature reviews on topics relating to TBI. This year, it updated its review on Chronic 

Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Newsletters

Hot Topics

DVBIC experts summarize and provide commentary on the latest TBI scientific studies receiving attention in the press. Studies 

are selected by their media impact as determined through quantitative analysis of Google News and PubMed searches and 

qualitative assessment by DVBIC personnel. This newsletter also includes some news stories not derived from scientific studies 

but relevant to TBI stakeholders. In 2019, DVBIC published four Hot Topics newsletters. 

Tech Watch

In 2019, DVBIC published two Tech Watch newsletters. DVBIC technology specialists summarize and provide commentary on 

news articles, trade publications, and scientific studies about technological developments related to TBI research, diagnostics, 

treatment and rehabilitation. The articles included are selected based on a subjective evaluation of relevance and importance. 

Working Groups and Committees

DVBIC staff participate in a number of working groups and committees that further its mission of advancing knowledge about 

TBI for the benefit of service members, veterans, and their families.

Our Services Vision & Plan Research

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Research

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 TBI Model Systems

 Government Steering Committee: Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium-Long term Impacts of Military-Related Brain 

Injury Consortium (GSC: CENC-LIMBIC) 

 TBI Endpoints Development Government Steering Committee (TED GSC)

 Combat Casualty Care Research Program Integrating Integrated Product Team

 Planning committees for the annual meeting of the Brain Injury Association and the Military Health System Research 

Symposium

 NonInvasive NeuroAssessment Devices Integrated Product Team

 Committee on Surgical Combat Casualty Care

 TBI-Drug Treatment Integrated Product Team (IPT) 

 FY 18 NDAA Section 734 (Line of Inquiry and Line of Effort)

 J9 Future State

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
| 10 11 |

Ongoing and Recently-Completed Collaborative Research Studies

The following studies illustrate how DVBIC’s network sites collaborate to ensure all the necessary stakeholders are involved in 

developing products. These studies are either ongoing or produced major findings in 2019.

 Last year, some of the final analyses were published for the Warrior Strong Study that followed a sample of 1,567 soldiers (557 with 

concussions and 1,010 as controls). The data were collected at Fort Bragg and Fort Carson network sites between 2009 and 2014.



Collaborations

In addition to the network sites and Intrepid Spirit Centers, DVBIC works with many other collaborators. These ongoing 

collaborations make possible DVBIC’s research, including congressionally mandated directives.

Education Highlights

REC Conference at DVBIC Headquarters in Silver Spring

On August 6-8, the Regional Education Coordinators convened for a three-day conference focused on aligning their day-today work with DVBIC’s overall mission with each branch making a presentation. From Mission Support, the RECs received 

information on administrative issues, such as ordering DVBIC products and learning about ways to showcase their outreach 

activities. From Education, the RECs discussed the relevance of their work to the Defense Department’s Warfighter Brain Health 

Memo of 2018. From Clinical Affairs, RECs were briefed on the creation of clinical recommendations, the products of which 

they would disseminate to stakeholders. From the Research Branch, the RECs learned where to find information on the latest 

scientific developments (e.g., the CUBIST podcast and newsletters), and received instruction on the Vestibular/Ocular Motor 

Screening tool, the concussion management tool, and symptom clusters.

Our Services Vision & Plan Research

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Education

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Academic

 Baylor College of Medicine  McMaster University

 Northwestern University  Ohio State University

 Oregon Health & Science University  Princeton University

 Stanford University School of Medicine  University of Maryland School of Medicine 

 University of Michigan  University of Minnesota

 University of North Carolina at Greensboro  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

 University of Pittsburgh  University of Utah 

 Wayne State University

Industry

 Berry Consultants  RTI International

Other DoD / VA / Federal Organizations

 Boston VA Medical Center  Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine

 Iowa City VA Health Care System  Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center 

 National Institute of Nursing Research (part of National 

Institutes of Health) 

 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (part 

of National Institutes of Health) 

 National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, 

and Rehabilitation Research  National Intrepid Center of Excellence

 Naval Health Research Center  South Texas Veterans Health Care System

 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences  U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command

 Walter Reed Army Institute of Research War Related 

Illness and Injury Study Center

Civilian Medical Research Foundations, Organizations, and Hospitals

 Craig Hospital  Courage Kenny Research Center

 Kessler Foundation  Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

RECs are critical in disseminating DVBIC products to its stakeholders. (DVBIC Photo)
| 12 13 |

International Conference

On September 4-6, Regional Health Command Europe sponsored a TBI Champion Training Conference facilitated by Casey 

Becker, the local REC. Health care providers from military treatment facilities throughout Europe attended the three-day conference 

on Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Subject matter experts from the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic and other consulting clinics 

provided educational briefings and hands-on training to 35 participants from seven different countries—including England, Belgium, 

Spain, Italy, Turkey, Germany, and Kuwait. Among the conference topics discussed were best practices in managing TBI (from 

acute concussion through post-concussive symptoms), as well as resources and tools available from DVBIC. Attendees networked 

with TBI and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center staff to standardize practices and improve acute concussion care management. 

Participants committed to sharing the knowledge received with their colleagues. Moving forward, these providers will become 

liaisons for the Landstuhl TBI clinic to promote brain injury awareness and education at their local sites.

Training in South Korea

In October, REC Haley Cedarleaf from Naval Medical Center, San Diego was invited to 

Camp Humphreys in South Korea to provide face-to-face instruction in the MACE 2 as per 

the Army order requiring its personnel to use DVBIC products to prevent, diagnose, and 

treat service members who have experienced a TBI. Eighty-one staff were trained.

A Head for the Future

Established in 2014, DVBIC’s A Head for the Future (AHFTF) initiative provides resources on TBI prevention, recognition, and 

recovery targeted to the military community, particularly service members, veterans and their families. These resources include 

videos, blogs, social media content, and educational materials. AHFTF also conducts outreach at dozens of events each year. 

In 2019, AHFTF continued its profiling of “TBI Champions” (individuals who showed resilience after experiencing TBIs), and 

expanded its reach to find new stories. 

In March, AHFTF coordinated with DHA to highlight new innovative videos for Brain Injury Awareness Month (BIAM) and share 

resources with community partners. In June, AHFTF sent a team to the 2019 Warrior Games in Tampa Bay, Florida, to interview 

two athletes who competed, to host an informational booth, and to share videos from the event on social media. In July, the 

campaign introduced a new animated public service announcement series entitled “Talking TBI – Connect with Others.” AHFTF 

also created 12 blog posts profiling many of the RECs throughout DVBIC’s network.

AHFTF Accomplishments:

 Collaborated with ServingTogether, a new mental health outreach program focused on veterans by EveryMind, a non-profit 

in the Washington, D.C., region. AHFTF participated in six new networking events in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of 

Columbia where it increased awareness of its products through ServingTogether’s network of more than 100 public, private, 

and non-profit organizations that serve veterans in the Washington, D.C., area.

 Attended 33 events, with a potential reach of 110,063 attendees, including new connections with military women’s and 

veterans groups. Distributed 2,279 DVBIC/AHFTF products at events.

 Secured seven media placements in outlets such as Brain & Life magazine.

AHFTF Social Media:

 Generated 39,000 social media engagements on its Facebook page (including 

26,000 video views) — nearly double compared to fiscal year 2018.

 AHFTF’s BIAM 2019 efforts reached more than 22,000 users on Facebook.

 In July, a TBI Champion profile of Randy Dexter on Facebook reached more 

than 12,000 people. 

 In April 2019, the AHFTF team updated the “Talking Heads” public service 

announcements featuring recent TBI Champions. This product continues to 

run on the Armed Forces Network.

(DVBIC Photo)

TBI Champions Navy veteran Amanda Burrill (left) and Army 

veteran Elana Duffy (right) bond over their TBI experiences/

journey (AHFTF photo).

Our Services Vision & Plan

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Education Education

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Ashley Jack, TBI Physician Assistant at Landstuhl, conducting an acupuncture course as part of the conference. (DVBIC Photo)

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
| 14 15 |

Brain Injury Awareness Month 

This yearly event in March constitutes a combined effort from AHFTF, DVBIC Communications, and RECs. Its purpose is to 

heighten awareness and understanding of the signs and symptoms of TBI among key stakeholders, and to emphasize DVBIC’s 

role as the TBI Center of Excellence and 

manager of the TBI Pathway of Care.

The theme for the year was “TBI: Did 

you know?” and consisted of a series 

of questions and answers disseminated 

throughout the month. In 2019, a Facebook 

town hall occurred featuring DVBIC TBI 

experts discussing the latest developments 

in diagnosis and treatment for TBI. In 2019, 

the RECs hosted over 450 events. On average, each REC facilitated and/or 

attended 28 education, outreach, or training events. 

Headache Virtual Suite

To guide MHS providers in evaluating and treating post-traumatic headaches, 

DVBIC designed an online course called the Headache Interactive Provider 

Training, and released it in early July 2019. Approximately 82 percent of service 

members diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury experience concussions, which 

has headaches as its most commonly recorded symptom. The course is about 

an hour, uses interactive instructional methods, and is eligible for one continuing 

education unit in selected disciplines. 

Clinical Affairs Highlights

Surveillance

As the Defense Department’s office of 

responsibility for TBI data in the U.S. military, 

DVBIC analyzes the number of activeduty service members with a first-time TBI 

diagnosis since 2000. This information is 

disseminated in quarterly and annual reports.

TBI Pathway of Care Manager

Since 2014, DVBIC has served as the manager 

of the DoD TBI Pathway of Care (PWoC) and chair of the DoD TBI Advisory Committee (TAC). The PWoC is a health policy 

aimed at advancing the level of care across the MHS by synchronizing processes and transitions and improving outcomes and 

outcome metrics. The TAC is the Defense Department’s coordinating body chartered to promote organized and efficient TBI care 

from prevention and education through reintegration. Although Clinical Affairs plays a prominent role in the PWoC, this initiative 

has implications for all of DVBIC’s endeavors.

Concussion Management Tool

In April 2019, DVBIC released this tool, a revision of an earlier one known as the Concussion Management Algorithm. The new 

version adds information on symptom clusters and related clinical referral recommendations.

Clinical Outcomes Sub Working Group

The Clinical Outcomes Sub Working Group is a chartered subcomponent to the TAC. DVBIC Clinical Affairs chaired this sub 

working group that identified three measures to be submitted to DHA leadership as formal requirements for the collection of TBI 

outcome metrics across DHA clinics.

Source: 2000 to 2018 Q1 data provided by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance 

Branch (AFHSB) using the Defense Medical Surveillance System (DMSS) and Theater 

Medical Data Store (TMDS); data starting 2018 Q2 provided by the Defense and Veterans 

Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) using the MHS Data Repository (MDR). 

Prepared by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) 2000-2019 Q3, as of November 08, 2019

Penetrating 5,279

Severe 4,110

Moderate 40,378

Mild 342,747

Not Classifiable 21,344

Total - All Severities 413,858

2000-2019 Q3

82.8%

1.3%

5.2% 1.0%

9.8%

DoD Numbers for Traumatic Brain Injury

Worldwide — Totals

*Percentage may not add to 100% due to rounding.

Display table at a BIAM event. (DVBIC Photo)

Minneapolis REC Jean Ingalls shared resources at Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians Annual 

Meeting and Exposition during BIAM. (DVBIC Photo)

Our Services Vision & Plan

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Education Education DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Clinical Affairs

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
| 16 17 |

Quadruple Aim Performance Process (QPP)

The TAC and DVBIC worked together to identify metrics that would be submitted to DHA’s Deputy Assistant Director, Medical Affairs 

to measure improving treatment outcomes for patients with acute concussions. DVBIC’s Clinical Affairs and Education branches 

support this effort to develop a standardized, military-specific approach to diagnosing and managing concussions to reduce the 

development of chronic symptoms and increase service members’ readiness after such injuries. 

Cognitive Rehabilitation for Service Members and Veterans Clinical Product Suite

In April, DVBIC released the Cognitive 

Rehabilitation for Service Members and 

Veterans Following Mild to Moderate Traumatic 

Brain Injury Clinical Product Suite. The outcome 

of collaboration between DVBIC-affiliated 

clinicians and researchers and the wider 

scientific and clinical military communities, the 

new suite of products is based on a literature 

review and the consensus of expert opinion. 

The significance of this product goes beyond being a state-of-the-science knowledge synopsis. How it was created was also 

noteworthy. This suite constituted several methodological “firsts” for DVBIC:

 An all-inclusive web-based tool contains the complete product suite as well as links to complementary VA/Defense 

Department-affiliated clinical resources.

 A systematic knowledge translation process was applied.

 It was designed as a “one-stop shop” tailored specifically to clinicians working with service members and veterans.

 An end-user group of providers ensured that the final products were consistent with their needs.

This approach pioneered integrative, interdisciplinary problem solving that could serve as a model for all our professional 

endeavors going forward. 

Communications Highlights

Print Products Distributed and Downloaded in 2019

DVBIC products are distributed by RECs during outreach events, and can be downloaded from the website.

DVBIConnect Newsletter

This monthly newsletter keeps the DVBIC 

community connected by reporting on 

developments around the network, as 

well as featuring stories on the work of 

researchers and RECs. In 2019, there 

were 10 publications of this newsletter.

DVBIConnect

Monthly Internal Bulletin of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center June 2019 Volume 1, Issue 6

PP1-4 / FEATURES

■ Letter from Leadership

■ Education Network Coordinator Spotlight:

Melissa Wells, DVBIC Headquarters

■ NIH Symposium (Part II): DVBIC and the 15-Year 

Longitudinal Study

■ Positive Spirit Award

P4 / ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES

■ Send Us Your Stories and Photos!

P4 CONTACT DVBIC

CONTENT

Kickoff event for Brain Injury Awareness Month 2019 at San Antonio Military Medical Center. (DVBIC photo)

Dear Colleagues:

For at least a decade, DVBIC has promoted 

brain injury awareness during March, and 

this year the Defense Health Agency 

charged DVBIC to launch the Agency’s 

Brain Injury Awareness Month campaign.

This year’s goal was to heighten 

the awareness and understanding of 

TBI signs and symptoms within the 

Department of Defense, Department of 

Veterans Affairs, and their stakeholders 

by using multimedia and local events 

to emphasize DVBIC’s role as the TBI 

Center of Excellence and manager of the 

TBI Pathway of Care.

The Regional Education Coordinators, 

the DVBIC communications team and 

the “A Head for the Future” team worked 

together, coordinating social media 

platforms, exhibits, booths, speaking 

engagements, outreach events, and 

panels to accomplish our BIAM goals. As 

a result, the BIAM campaign successfully 

reached over three million stakeholders, 

and increased DVBIC’s visibility on 

various social media platforms.

This year’s event planning and 

execution was so impressive that it sets 

a high bar for the coming year. Striving 

to hit this ambitious target, the teams 

are starting to plan meetings earlier, 

including more of our DHA partners 

and continuing to explore relevant 

social media platforms to make BIAM 

2020 an even bigger success.

Sincerely,

Lenora T. German, Ph.D.

Education Branch Chief

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center

Members of the Cognitive Rehabilitation Working Group during a 2017 meeting. (DVBIC Photo)

June 2019 issue of DVBIConnect

Our Services Vision & Plan

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Clinical Affairs Communications

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
| 18 19 |

Podcasts

Clinical Updates in Brain Injury Science Today (CUBIST)

Launched in May 2017, CUBIST is a 

podcast for health care providers treating 

service members and veterans with TBI. 

Each episode offers a brief analysis of 

current research relevant to clinicians. In 

2019, 10 episodes were released.

DVBIC in the News

On May 16, Dr. Louis French, DVBIC site director at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, was interviewed as part 

of a CBS news story on how a “Computerized Program Could Offer Hope to Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury.” The story 

described research funded by various Defense Department agencies including DVBIC.

The work of DVBIC researchers on TBI, PTSD, and resilience was publicized in a July Health.mil article entitled “Positive Attitude, 

Social Support may Promote TBI/PTSD Resilience.”

The October/November issue of Brain & Life magazine contained a feature story on Amanda Burrill, a veteran also 

profiled by AHFTF.

Presentations 

Military Health System Research Symposium 

In August, DVBIC had a significant presence 

at the Military Health System Research 

Symposium (MHSRS), the premier 

Defense Department scientific meeting, in 

Kissimmee, Florida. MHSRS provided a 

venue for DVBIC to present new scientific 

research at the only military or civilian 

meeting focused specifically on the unique 

medical needs of the warfighter. 

This year’s theme was Research for 

Readiness with presentations under four 

broad categories — Warfighter Medical 

Readiness, Expeditionary Medicine, 

Warfighter Performance, and Return-to-Duty. 

DVBIC contributed 68 presentations overall 

with 11 oral presentations and 57 poster presentations. Staff contributed to sessions on Warfighter Readiness, Expeditionary 

Medicine, and Return-to-Duty

CUBIST hosts Dr. Donald Marion and Betsy Myhre recording an episode. (DVBIC Photo)

Our Services Vision & Plan

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Communications

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Lars Hungerford of Naval Medical Center San Diego presenting at MHSRS meeting. (DVBIC Photo).

Presentations

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
| 20 21 |

American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Conference 

On November 4-5 2019, five DVBIC 

researchers attended the American 

Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine 

(ACRM) in Chicago, Illinois, with a focus 

on “Progress in Rehabilitation Research: 

Translation to Clinical Practice.” ACRM 

promotes the intersection of research, 

technology, and best clinical practice to 

improve disability outcomes. There were 

two presentations and three posters. 

DVBIC Research Neuropsychologist 

Mark Ettenhofer received an award for his 

talk entitled “Fusion Brain Assessment 

System.” The tool Ettenhofer described 

uses neurocognitive and eye tracking technology to detect and characterize residual effects of TBI by assessing multiple 

different cognitive and motor systems.

National Academy of Neuropsychology Conference (NAN)

The 39th annual NAN conference was held in San Diego, California, on November 13-16. NAN’s mission is to advance 

neuropsychology by generating and disseminating knowledge of brain-behavior relationships. Its membership consists of 

scientist-practitioners, clinicians, and researchers in the field of neuropsychology. TBI was the subject of one of the five onehour paper sessions at the conference. In this session, three DVBIC-affiliated researchers presented—Rosemary RemigioBaker, Jason Bailie, and Ida Babakhanyan. DVBIC researchers moderated two of the other sessions on testing and pediatrics, 

respectively. Researcher Brian Ivins was the lead author of two posters at the conference. 

AMSUS

AMSUS is the annual meeting of the Society of Federal Health Professionals, a non-profit member-based educational and 

professional development association serving the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, 

and Homeland Security, as well as federal health professionals and their families. The meeting was held at National Harbor, 

Maryland, on December 2-4.

At this year’s meeting, DVBIC showcased 

two posters and delivered two oral 

presentations. The lead authors of the 

posters were Kat Michaels-Doyle and 

Megan Herodes, and they addressed the 

development of a web tool and a quality 

improvement project, respectively. DVBIC 

researcher Jason Bailie made a presentation 

on “Determining Cognitive Readiness 

Following Traumatic Brain Injury,” and 

Captain Pyne described DVBIC’s various 

activities — including clinical support, 

research, health outcomes, education, 

policy inputs, the TAC, surveillance, and the 

standardization of TBI programs. 

Kori Zick, Erin O’Dell, and Katheryn Michaels-Doyle (l-r). (DVBIC Photo)

Our Services Vision & Plan

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Presentations 

Amanda Royer, from the Tampa VA site, in front of her poster at the ACRM Conference. (DVBIC Photo).

Presentations 
| 22 23 |

1. Bailie, J. M., Remigio-Baker, R. A., Cole, W. R., McCulloch, K. L., Ettenhofer, M. L., West, T., . . . Gregory, E. (2019). Use of the Progressive 

Return to Activity Guidelines May Expedite Symptom Resolution After Concussion for Active Duty Military. Am J Sports Med, 47(14), 3505-3513. 

doi:10.1177/0363546519883259

2. Barshikar, S., Nakase-Richardson, R., & Bell, K. (2019). Sleep Disturbance and Fatigue. In J. Silver, T. W. McAllister, & D. B. Arciniegas (Eds.), 

Textbook of Traumatic Brain Injury (Third ed., pp. 453-470). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

3. Belanger, H. G. (2019). Recovery from Stroke: Factors Affecting Prognosis. Clin Neuropsychol, 33(5), 813-816. doi:10.1080/13854046.2019.1578899

4. Belanger, H. G., Vanderploeg, R. D., Curtiss, G., Armistead-Jehle, P., Kennedy, J. E., Tate, D. F., . . . Cooper, D. B. (2019). Self-Efficacy Predicts 

Response to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Military Service Members With Post-Concussive Symptoms. Neuropsychol Rehabil, 15: 1-14. doi:10.1080/096

02011.2019.1575245

5. Betthauser, L. M., Adams, R. S., Hostetter, T. A., Scher, A. I., Schwab, K., & Brenner, L. A. (2019). Characterization of Lifetime TBIs in a Cohort of 

Recently Deployed Soldiers: The Warrior Strong Study. Rehabil Psychol, 64(4), 398-406. doi:10.1037/rep0000286

6. Bigler, E. D., Abildskov, T. J., Eggleston, B., Taylor, B. A., Tate, D. F., Petrie, J. A., . . . Wilde, E. A. (2019). Structural Neuroimaging in Mild Traumatic 

Brain Injury: A Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Study. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 28(3):e1781. doi:10.1002/

mpr.1781

7. Brickell, T. A., French, L. M., Gartner, R. L., Driscoll, A. E., Wright, M. M., Lippa, S. M., & Lange, R. T. (2019). Factors Related to Perceived Burden 

Among Caregivers of Service Members/Veterans Following TBI. Rehabil Psychol, 64(3), 307-319. doi:10.1037/rep0000272

8. Brickell, T. A., Lippa, S. M., French, L. M., Gartner, R. L., Driscoll, A. E., Wright, M. M., & Lange, R. T. (2019). Service Needs and Health Outcomes 

Among Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans Following TBI. Rehabil Psychol, 64(1), 72-86. doi:10.1037/rep0000249

9. Brickell, T. A., Reid, M. W., French, L. M., Lippa, S. M., Sullivan, J. K., Wright, M. M., . . . Lange, R. T. (2019). Factor Analysis of the Caregiver Appraisal 

Scale in Military TBI. Rehabil Psychol, 64(3):366-376. doi:10.1037/rep0000270

10. Carlozzi, N. E., Boileau, N. R., Kallen, M. A., Nakase-Richardson, R., Hahn, E. A., Tulsky, D. S., . . . Sander, A. M. (2019). Reliability and Validity Data 

to Support the Clinical Utility of the Traumatic Brain Injury Caregiver Quality of Life (TBI-CareQOL). Rehabil Psychol. doi:10.1037/rep0000295

11. Carlozzi, N. E., Hanks, R., Lange, R. T., Brickell, T. A., Ianni, P. A., Miner, J. A., . . . Sander, A. M. (2019). Understanding Health-related Quality of 

Life in Caregivers of Civilians and Service Members/Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: Establishing the Reliability and Validity of PROMIS Mental 

Health Measures. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4S), S94-S101. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.05.021

12. Carlozzi, N. E., Ianni, P. A., Lange, R. T., Brickell, T. A., Kallen, M. A., Hahn, E. A., . . . Tulsky, D. S. (2019). Understanding Health-Related Quality of 

Life of Caregivers of Civilians and Service Members/Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: Establishing the Reliability and Validity of PROMIS Social 

Health Measures. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4S), S110-S118. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.06.026

13. Carlozzi, N. E., Ianni, P. A., Tulsky, D. S., Brickell, T. A., Lange, R. T., French, L. M., . . . Kratz, A. L. (2019). Understanding Health-Related Quality of 

Life in Caregivers of Civilians and Service Members/Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: Establishing the Reliability and Validity of PROMIS Fatigue 

and Sleep Disturbance Item Banks. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4S), S102-S109. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.05.020

14. Carlozzi, N. E., Kallen, M. A., Hanks, R., Hahn, E. A., Brickell, T. A., Lange, R. T., . . . Sander, A. M. (2019). The TBI-CareQOL Measurement System: 

Development and Preliminary Validation of Health-Related Quality of Life Measures for Caregivers of Civilians and Service Members/Veterans With 

Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4S), S1-S12. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.08.175

15. Carlozzi, N. E., Kallen, M. A., Hanks, R., Kratz, A. L., Hahn, E. A., Brickell, T. A., . . . Sander, A. M. (2019). The Development of a New Computer 

Adaptive Test to Evaluate Feelings of Being Trapped in Caregivers of Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury: TBI-CareQOL Feeling Trapped Item 

Bank. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4S), S43-S51. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.06.025

16. Carlozzi, N. E., Kallen, M. A., Ianni, P. A., Hahn, E. A., French, L. M., Lange, R. T., . . . Sander, A. M. (2019). The Development of a New ComputerAdaptive Test to Evaluate Strain in Caregivers of Individuals With TBI: TBI-CareQOL Caregiver Strain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4S), S13-S21. 

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.05.033

17. Carlozzi, N. E., Kallen, M. A., Ianni, P. A., Sander, A. M., Hahn, E. A., Lange, R. T., . . . Hanks, R. (2019). The Development of Two New Computer 

Adaptive Tests To Evaluate Feelings of Loss in Caregivers of Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury: TBI-CareQOL Feelings of Loss-Self and Feelings 

of Loss-Person With Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4S), S31-S42. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.05.026

18. Carlozzi, N. E., Kallen, M. A., Sander, A. M., Brickell, T. A., Lange, R. T., French, L. M., . . . Hanks, R. (2019). The Development of a New Computer 

Adaptive Test to Evaluate Anxiety in Caregivers of Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury: TBI-CareQOL Caregiver-Specific Anxiety. Arch Phys Med 

Rehabil, 100(4S), S22-S30. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.05.027

19. Carlozzi, N. E., Lange, R. T., French, L. M., Sander, A. M., Ianni, P. A., Tulsky, D. S., . . . Brickell, T. A. (2019). Understanding Health-Related Quality 

of Life in Caregivers of Civilians and Service Members/Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: Reliability and Validity Data for the TBI-CareQOL 

Measurement System. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4S), S85-S93. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.05.034

20. Cole, W. R., Brockway, J. A., Fann, J. R., Ahrens, A. P., Hurst, S., Hart, T., . . . Bell, K. R. (2019). Expressions of Emotional Distress in Active Duty 

Military Personnel With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Qualitative Content Analysis. Military Psychology, 1-10. doi:10.1080/08995605.2018.1503022

21. Eggleston, B., Dismuke-Greer, C. E., Pogoda, T. K., Denning, J. H., Eapen, B. C., Carlson, K. F., . . . Walker, W. C. (2019). A Prediction Model of Military 

Combat and Training Exposures on VA Service-Connected Disability: A CENC Study. Brain Inj, 33(13-14):1602-1614. doi:10.1080/02699052.2019.1655793

22. Ferdosi, H., Schwab, K. A., Metti, A., & Brenner, L. A. (2019). Trajectory of Postconcussive Symptoms 12-Months Post-Deployment in Soldiers With 

and Without Mild Traumatic Brain Injury - Warrior Strong Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 188(1):77-86. doi:10.1093/aje/kwy199

23. French, L. M., S. A. Greenhalgh, W. M. (2019). Chronic Effects of TBI in a Military Population. In T. J (Ed.), Traumatic Brain injury. Cham: Springer.

24. Gootam PK, K. T., McKenzie Hartman T, Nakase-Richardson R, Silva MA, Bajor LA. (2019). Assessment and Treatment of Sleep in Mild Traumatic 

Brain Injury. In C. D. Eapen B (Ed.), Concussion: Assessment, Management, and Rehabilitation. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.

25. Hardy, M., Kennedy, J., Reid, M., & Cooper, D. (2019). Differences in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Attribution of Symptoms 

in Service Members With Combat Versus Noncombat Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil, 35(1):37-45. doi:10.1097/

HTR.0000000000000486

26. Hershaw, J. N., Hill-Pearson, C. A., Arango, J. I., Souvignier, C. A. R., & Pazdan, C. R. M. (2019). Semi-Automated Neurofeedback Therapy for 

Persistent Postconcussive Symptoms in a Military Clinical Setting: A Feasibility Study. Mil Med, pii: usz335. doi:10.1093/milmed/usz335

27. Hinds, S., R., Marion, D, W., Ivins, B, J. (2019). Military Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. In J. M. S. T. W. M. a. S. C. Yudofsky (Ed.), Textbook of Traumatic 

Brain Injury (Third ed., pp. 635-659). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

28. Hoot, M. R., Khokhar, B., & Walker, W. C. (2019). Self-Report Pain Scale Reliability in Veterans and Service Members With Traumatic Brain Injuries 

Undergoing Inpatient Rehabilitation. Mil Med, pii: usz272. doi:10.1093/milmed/usz272

29. Iverson, G. L., Ivins, B. J., Karr, J. E., Crane, P. K., Lange, R. T., Cole, W. R., & Silverberg, N. D. (2019). Comparing Composite Scores for the ANAM4 

TBI-MIL for Research in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch Clin Neuropsychol, 24;35(1):56-69. doi:10.1093/arclin/acz021

30. Ivins, B. J., Arrieux, J. P., Schwab, K. A., Haran, F. J., & Cole, W. R. (2019). Using Rates of Low Scores to Assess Agreement between Brief 

Computerized Neuropsychological Assessment Batteries: A Clinically-based Approach for Psychometric Comparisons. Arch Clin Neuropsychol, 27; 

34(8):1392-1408. doi:10.1093/arclin/acz004

31. Keelan, R. E., Mahoney, E. J., Sherer, M., Hart, T., Giacino, J., Bodien, Y. G., . . . Vanderploeg, R. D. (2019). Neuropsychological Characteristics of the 

Confusional State Following Traumatic Brain Injury. J Int Neuropsychol Soc, 25(3), 302-313. doi:10.1017/s1355617718001157

32. Kennedy, J. E., Lu, L. H., Reid, M. W., Leal, F. O., & Cooper, D. B. (2019). Correlates of Depression in U.S. Military Service Members With a History of 

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Mil Med, 184(Supplement_1), 148-154. doi:10.1093/milmed/usy321

33. Kennedy, J. E., Reid, M. W., Lu, L. H., & Cooper, D. B. (2019). Validity of the CES-D for Depression Screening in Military Service Members With a 

History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Brain Inj, 33(7), 932-940. doi:10.1080/02699052.2019.1610191

34. Lange, R. T., Lippa, S. M., French, L. M., Bailie, J. M., Gartner, R. L., Driscoll, A. E., . . . Brickell, T. A. (2019). Long-Term Neurobehavioural Symptom 

Reporting Following Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury in U.S. Military Service Members. Neuropsychol Rehabil, 1-24. doi

:10.1080/09602011.2019.1604385

35. Lange, R. T., Yeh, P.-H., Brickell, T. A., Lippa, S. M., & French, L. M. (2019). Postconcussion Symptom Reporting is not Associated With Diffusion 

Tensor Imaging Findings in the Subacute to Chronic Phase of Recovery in Military Service Members Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of 

Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 41(5), 497-511. doi:10.1080/13803395.2019.1585518

36. Lee, K. M., Greenhalgh, W. M., Sargent, P., Chae, H., Klimp, S., Engel, S., . . . Pyne, S. (2019). Unique Features of the US Department of Defense 

Multidisciplinary Concussion Clinics. J Head Trauma Rehabil, 34(6):402-408. doi:10.1097/htr.0000000000000526

37. Lippa, S. M., French, L. M., Bell, R. S., Brickell, T. A., & Lange, R. (2019). United States Military Service Members Demonstrate Substantial and 

Heterogeneous Long-Term Neuropsychological Dysfunction Following Moderate, Severe, and Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma, 

doi:10.1089/neu.2019.6696

38. Lippa, S. M., Hong-Yeh, P., Gill, J., French, L. M., Brickell, T. A., & Lange, R. (2019). Plasma Tau and Amyloid are not Reliably Related to Injury 

Characteristics, Neuropsychological Performance, or White Matter Integrity in Service Members With a History of Traumatic Brain Injury. 

J Neurotrauma, 36(14):2190-2199. doi:10.1089/neu.2018.6269

Our Services Vision & Plan Publications

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Publications 
| 24

39. Loftin, M. C., Arango, J. I., Bobula, S., Hill-Pearson, C., Pazdan, R. M., & Souvignier, A. R. (2019). Implementation of a Generalized Vestibular 

Rehabilitation Approach. Mil Med, pii: usz159. doi:10.1093/milmed/usz159

40. Lu, L. H., Bowles, A. O., Kennedy, J. E., Eapen, B. C., & Cooper, D. B. (2019). Single-Item Versus Multiple-Item Headache Ratings in Service Members 

Seeking Treatment for Brain Injury. Mil Med, pii: usz173. doi:10.1093/milmed/usz173

41. Lu, L. H., Cooper, D. B., Reid, M. W., Khokhar, B., Tsagaratos, J. E., & Kennedy, J. E. (2019). Symptom Reporting Patterns of US Military Service 

Members with a History of Concussion According to Duty Status. Arch Clin Neuropsychol, 34(2), 236-242. doi:10.1093/arclin/acy031

42. Lu, L. H., Reid, M. W., Cooper, D. B., & Kennedy, J. E. (2019). Sleep Problems Contribute to Post-Concussive Symptoms in Service Members With 

a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder. NeuroRehabilitation, 44(4):511-521. 

doi:10.3233/nre-192702

43. Malone, C., Erler, K. S., Giacino, J. T., Hammond, F. M., Juengst, S. B., Locascio, J. J., . . . Bodien, Y. G. (2019). Participation Following Inpatient 

Rehabilitation for Traumatic Disorders of Consciousness: A TBI Model Systems Study. Front Neurol, 10, 1314. doi:10.3389/fneur.2019.01314

44. Melillo, C., Downs, K., Dillahunt-Aspillaga, C., Lind, J., Besterman-Dahan, K., Hahm, B., . . . Powell-Cope, G. (2019). Action Ethnography of Community 

Reintegration for Veterans and Military Service Members With Traumatic Brain Injury: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Res Protoc, 8(11), 

e14170. doi:10.2196/14170

45. Merritt, B. P., Kretzmer, T., McKenzie-Hartman, T. L., & Gootam, P. (2019). Neurobehavioral Management of the Polytrauma Veteran. Physical 

Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics, 30(1), 133-154. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2018.09.003

46. Miles, S. R., Brenner, L. A., Neumann, D., Hammond, F. M., Ropacki, S., Tang, X., . . . Nakase-Richardson, R. (2019). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 

Symptoms Contribute to Staff Perceived Irritability, Anger, and Aggression After TBI in a Longitudinal Veteran Cohort: A VA TBI Model Systems Study. 

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 101(1):81-88. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2019.07.018

47. Nakase-Richardson, R., Schwartz, D. J., Drasher-Phillips, L., Ketchum, J. M., Calero, K., Dahdah, M. N., . . . Zeitzer, J. M. (2019). Comparative 

Effectiveness of Sleep Apnea Screening Instruments During Inpatient Rehabilitation Following Moderate to Severe TBI. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 

101(2):283-296. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2019.09.019

48. Pastorek, N. J., Petska, K. S., Duchnick, J. J., Chard, K. M., & Belanger, H. G. (2019). Providing Care for Comorbid Mental Health Conditions in the 

Polytrauma System of Care. J Head Trauma Rehabil, 34(3), 150-157. doi:10.1097/htr.0000000000000480

49. Pattinson, C. L., Gill, J. M., Lippa, S. M., Brickell, T. A., French, L. M., & Lange, R. T. (2019). Concurrent Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic 

Stress Disorder Is Associated With Elevated Tau Concentrations in Peripheral Blood Plasma. J Trauma Stress, 32(4):546-554. doi:10.1002/jts.22418

50. Pazdan, R., Lattimore, T., Whitt, E., & Grimes, J. (2019). Traumatic Brain Injury in the Military. In E. B. S. F. G. O’Connior, & D. C. Smith (Ed.), 

Fundamentals of Military Medicine (pp. 585-601). Fort Sam Houston: Office of The Surgeon General.

51. Remigio-Baker, R. A., Bailie, J. M., Gregory, E., Cole, W. R., McCulloch, K. L., Cecchini, A., . . . Ettenhofer, M. L. (2019). Activity Level and Type 

During Post-Acute Stages of Concussion May Play an Important Role in Improving Symptoms Among an Active Duty Military Population. Front Neurol, 

10(602). doi:10.3389/fneur.2019.00602

52. Silva, M. A. (2019). Book Review: A Readable Introduction and Overview of the Neuropsychology of Sports-Related Concussion, Edited by 

Peter A. Arnett.: Neuropsychology of Sports-Related Concussion, Peter A. Arnett (Ed.). American Psychological Association, Washington. ISBN: 

9781433829796. 403 pp. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology. doi:10.1093/arclin/acz050

53. Silva, M. A., Dillahunt-Aspillaga, C., Patel, N., Garofano, J. S., Martinez, K. M., Lynn, C. A., . . . Nakase-Richardson, R. (2019). Functional Outcome 

and Mental Health Symptoms in Military Personnel and Veterans Pursuing Postsecondary Education After Traumatic Brain Injury: A VA TBI Model 

Systems Study. Rehabilitation Research Policy and Education (1), 41-55. doi:10.1891/2168-6653.33.1.41

54. Silva, M. A., Schwartz, D. J., & Nakase-Richardson, R. (2019). Functional Improvement After Severe Brain Injury With Disorder of Consciousness 

Paralleling Treatment for Comorbid Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Case Report. Int J Rehabil Res, 42(3):285-288. doi:10.1097/mrr.0000000000000364

55. Tate, D. F., Wade, B. S. C., Velez, C. S., Drennon, A. M., Bolzenius, J. D., Cooper, D. B., . . . Bigler, E. D. (2019). Subcortical Shape and 

Neuropsychological Function Among U.S. Service Members With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 13(2), 377-388. doi:10.1007/

s11682-018-9854-8

56. Taylor, J. L., Hambro, B. C., Strossman, N. D., Bhatt, P., Hernandez, B., Ashford, J. W., . . . McNerney, M. W. (2019). The Effects of Repetitive 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Protocol for a Randomized, Controlled Three-Arm Trial. BMC 

Neurol, 19(1), 326. doi:10.1186/s12883-019-1552-7

57. Walker, W. C., Lacey, R. (2019). Post Concussive Syndrome (PCS). In E. D. X. Cifu (Ed.), Concussion: Assessment, Management and Rehabilitation. 

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.

DVBIC 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center

1335 East-West Highway, Ste. 6-100 

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 | 800-870-9244

dvbic.dcoe.mil

Publications