November 6, 2019 by Angela

You Help Change the Future of Concussion Treatment

Thanks to your support, adults living with the effects of a Concussion are helped by innovative services not available anywhere else in our area; services that are gaining recognition as a model program.

According to the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability around the world. Concussion, also known as Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), is considered an epidemic in the United States.

It was once believed that people who sustained a Concussion would typically recover fully in a few months. Research now shows over 50% of people who sustain even just one Concussion may experience significant long-term effects for a year or longer.

Globally, health practitioners, who themselves may have limited familiarity with these conditions, are often faced with a lack of resources to aid clients in their recovery.

A Concussion is a significant medical problem that can result in lasting effects that are not at all ‘mild.’ It’s important to have a place like Schurig Center that offers continued education and support at affordable rates to help those who are experiencing longer-term side effects of a Concussion. – Dr. James Wilson, PhD

Dr. Jim Wilson, PhD

33% of Schurig Center’s clients are adults with post-concussive syndrome.

With the expert guidance of neuropsychologist and concussion specialist Dr. James Wilson, Schurig Center has designed and implemented specialized services to meet the unique needs of these people.

Schurig’s Post-Concussion Education and Support Group, facilitated by Dr. Wilson, fills gaps in care by providing accurate information about Concussion and directing clients to suitable sources of care. The group also addresses the altered sense of self, a psychological reaction that is common among Concussion survivors.

We are pleased to share that the group’s outcomes show significant improvement in clients’ ability to cope with the long-term cognitive, behavioral, and psychological effects that often impact their work, family, and personal lives.

In recognition of the group’s innovation and positive outcomes, Dr. Wilson was invited to share the findings as a keynote speaker at the 4th International Conference on Clinical and Counseling Psychology this past August in Tokyo. Locally, he also spoke at MarinHealth Medical Center’s Trauma Symposium in October.

August 23, 2018 by Angela

Schurig Center Welcomes New Board Member Mari Avedano

Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery is pleased to announce that survivor advocate and community volunteer Mari Avedano has joined its Board of Directors.

Download this press release here

Ms. Avedano is a dedicated, experienced community volunteer who actively volunteers her time with several Marin non-profits, including North Marin Community Services, Gilead House, Novato Museums Association, and Novato Senior Citizens Club. She is currently on the Board of Soroptimist International of Novato and also recently completed the Novato Leadership Program. Ms. Avedano also brings with her professional experience in administration, human resources, and information technology with companies such as Fair Isaac, Technology Partners, and Maier, Siebel Baber.

As a traumatic brain injury survivor, Ms. Avedano brings personal knowledge of the unique challenges that survivors and their families face as they rebuild their lives after a brain injury or stroke. She first became involved with Schurig Center in 2015 as a client during her recovery. Later, as her recovery progressed, she transitioned to volunteering as an assistant in the center’s cognitive computer therapy class to help others on their journey to recovery.

Ms. Avedano is excited to apply her talents as an ambassador for Schurig Center to support the organization’s fundraising and community outreach efforts as well as acting as an advocate for survivors and their families. “We are pleased to welcome Ms. Avedano. Her experience and skills will help Schurig Center with outreach to donors and to those whose lives have been impacted by brain injury,” shared Schurig Center’s Board of Directors Chair Kimberly Strub.

August 10, 2016 by Angela

Schurig Center Welcomes Two New Board Members

Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery is pleased to announce that Larkspur Mayor, Catherine Way, RN, MSN, JC, and Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Neurologist, Dr. Jonathan E. Artz, MD, have joined its Board of Directors.

Download this press release here

Catherine Way, RN MSN, JD Mayor of Larkspur

Catherine Way was elected to the Larkspur City Council in 2013. She is a retired registered nurse whose clinical practice included surgical and transplant nursing. She currently is a partner in a surgical-legal consulting firm which assists with surgical error malpractice cases. As the daughter of a stroke survivor, she also brings personal knowledge of the unique challenges that brain injury survivors and their families face to regain physical, emotional, and psychological health after an injury. Ms. Way is a dedicated public servant and an active community volunteer who has shared her time and talents with several organizations, including Katherine Delmar Burke School, Redwood High School Foundation, Larkspur’s Citizen Emergency Advisory Committee, Twin Cities Disaster Council, and the Marin County Search and Rescue team.

Ms. Way is excited to join the team at Schurig Center and act as a representative of the organization, sharing “I have met and worked with so many people in Marin, from a variety of backgrounds and institutions. This provides me the opportunity to reach out to different groups and inform them about the work and much-needed services provided by Schurig Center.”

Dr. Jonathan Artz, MD
Neurologist, Kaiser Permanente San Rafael

Dr. Jonathan Artz is the newly appointed Medical Director of the Stroke Program at Kaiser San Rafael where he learned of Schurig Center while treating patients who participate in the organization’s rehabilitative programs. He also serves as a Permanente Medical Group Physician Recruitment Ambassador and Program Director for Cog Smart. He is actively involved in health care technology, quality of care, and physician health and wellness. Dr. Artz is passionate about heightening community awareness of head injury prevention and improving resource networks in our community. He is looking forward to increasing the partnership between Kaiser Permanente and Schurig Center in 2016 through Kaiser San Rafael’s Concussion Program. Dr. Artz also brings non-profit experience gained over three years as Chief of Ideas with the Sustainable Sports Foundation.

“We are honored to have a physician of Dr. Artz’s caliber join our Board of Directors. His understanding of brain injury and experience working with patients as they rehabilitate is an invaluable addition to our team. As a community based non-profit serving the needs of people after they have received formal medical treatment, partnerships with physicians like Dr. Artz enable us to provide the best care possible as survivors and their families continue the process of healing,” shares Patricia Gill, Executive Director of Schurig Center.