August 13, 2026 by Angela

Schurig Center Welcomes Two New Board Members

Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery is pleased to welcome Suzanne Kawahara, MBA and Sandra Lobacki-Strang, MEd to its Board of Directors. Their experience in healthcare, education, nonprofit leadership and organizational development will help strengthen Schurig Center’s work supporting people affected by brain injury throughout Marin and the greater Bay Area.

Kawahara photo Suzanne Kawahara, MBA is a management professional with diverse experience in the banking, healthcare, and education fields. She began her career on Wall Street in commercial and investment banking with Morgan Bank, Smith Barney, and E.F. Hutton before transitioning to education leadership roles. Suzanne later spent the final decade of her career at University of California San Francisco, where she held roles focused on developing leadership programs, advancing brain health and aging initiatives, and managing organizational change. She brings strong problem-solving and leadership skills to Schurig Center, along with a collaborative approach and enthusiasm for working with diverse groups of people.

Lobacki Strang photo Sandra Lobacki-Strang, MEd is a longtime educator and nonprofit leader with a deep commitment to empowering individuals and helping people recognize their own potential. Most recently, she served as Director of Experience Corps Bay Area, now Empowering Children Bay Area, where she connected older adults with elementary school students to strengthen early literacy across the Bay Area. Throughout her career, Sandi has supported children and families through service with Marin County Schools, Family Service Agency of Marin, Ross Elementary School, and Matrix Parents Network. She brings to Schurig Center a strong understanding of the rewards and challenges facing nonprofit organizations, along with a passion for creating communities where everyone feels they belong.

“We are thrilled to welcome Suzanne and Sandi to Schurig Center’s Board of Directors,” said Patricia Gill, Executive Director. “Their experience, leadership and commitment to serving others will be an important asset as we work to ensure that people affected by brain injury have access to the support they need to thrive.”

About Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery

Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery provides continued rehabilitation, hope and community for people affected by brain injury. Located in Larkspur, Schurig Center offers specialized rehabilitation, support groups, education and other services for brain injury survivors and their families throughout Marin, Sonoma, and the greater Bay Area.

December 22, 2023 by Angela

Why Your Support Matters

A Special Message from Dr. Gary Abrams

photo of Dr. Abrams I am a Professor of Neurology at the University of California San Francisco and have worked in the neuro-recovery field for 40 years. I am delighted to serve as a volunteer member of Schurig Center’s Board of Directors because their programs play an essential role in helping people heal and fill gaps in the continuum of our health care system.

As many of you may know, our health care system provides only limited support for patients beyond the early rehabilitation phase of treatment after a traumatic brain injury, concussion, stroke, and other types of brain injury. However, the journey to reaching one’s full potential is often a prolonged process and most effective with access to continued support and community re-integration.

With your generosity, this is where Schurig Center helps.

The enriched environment of Schurig Center picks up where health care leaves off by providing long-term restorative therapies, personal growth activities, and opportunities for social engagement. I have long recognized these are critical components for optimal recovery, but they are often difficult to access in our community.

Without a place like Schurig Center, many people end up isolated, depressed, declining in their abilities and health, and potentially, back in the hospital system.

The need for organizations like Schurig Center cannot be over emphasized.

Schurig Center is the only place I know of that helps address this need by offering an array of supportive “whole person” services and a community that cares for both survivors and their families. Staff work with a talented group of medical advisors who consult on program design to ensure services are high quality and effective.

I’m reaching out to you today because it’s critical for the center to have support from community members, like you and I, to carry forth its mission. Schurig Center is a nonprofit that does not receive medical reimbursements or federal funding.

I can’t stress enough how much your giving matters. Through your generosity, you have the power to help ensure your fellow community members living with a brain injury don’t fall through the cracks in our health care system. Please join me in helping to ensure this vital community resource continues to be available.

If you are in a position to help, please donate today and give as generously as you can.

On behalf of the people whose lives your caring touches, thank you. I can assure you your gift will be used wisely and will go far in helping hundreds of people this year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gary Abrams, MD
Schurig Center Board of Directors
Professor of Neurology, UCSF

June 16, 2022 by Angela

New Board of Directors Chair and Vice Chair Appointed

[Download press release here]

Schurig Center is honored to have an engaged, caring Board of Directors at our helm with expertise from an array of fields, including finance, healthcare, legal, human resources, civic leadership, and philanthropy. Throughout the year, Board members volunteer their time to ensure Schurig Center is offering high-quality services that meet the community’s needs. As we know all too well, life brings change. Our long-time Chair Kim Strub resigned from her post after 12 years of leadership. We thank Kim for all she has done for Schurig Center and the people we serve. Her positive impact will be felt for many years to come. We are honored to announce Catherine Way and Ellen Takayama have been appointed as the new Board leaders, guiding Schurig Center to more great things this year. Please join us in welcoming Catherine and Ellen to their new roles!

Photo of Catherine Way

Catherine Way, Chair

Catherine joined Schurig Center’s Board in 2016. She is a retired registered nurse and former managing partner of a surgical-legal consulting firm. As the daughter of a stroke survivor, Catherine brings personal knowledge of the unique challenges that brain injury survivors and their families face to regain their best quality of life after an injury. Catherine is also an active community volunteer and a dedicated public servant who currently serves on the Larkspur City Council.

Photo of Ellen Takayama

Ellen Takayama, Vice Chair

Ellen has been a Schurig Board member since 2012, and she has led the planning of our Annual Gala event since its inception. Ellen brings a wealth of business management and human resources experience built during her 37 years with Macy’s, Inc. in various positions, including VP of Human Resources. In retirement, Ellen now enjoys travel, reading, socializing with friends, taking care of her pup, and volunteering with Schurig Center.

Thank You for Your Service Kim Strub

After 12 years of service, Kim Strub has resigned from her role as Schurig’s Board Chair. Kim joined the Board in 2010 as the organization was transitioning from the loss of founder Karen Schurig. Over her term, Kim led the organization through multiple transitions and donated hundreds of hours of her time to ensure Schurig Center is a successful, respected organization that provides high quality care to everyone served. Kim creates connections in all that she does and truly offered her heart and soul to this community. We are deeply grateful! Kim will continue to support Schurig Center as an Advisory Board member.