Kessler Foundation Podcasts

Stay@Work/Return2Work These podcasts are the inspirational stories of individuals with SCI who have participated in the Resource Facilitation Program at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and successfully returned to work – whether in a previous position or a new one. In sharing these stories, we aim to keep hope alive and remind those in similar situations that every day brings with it new possibilities. The study, which is funded by a Craig H. Neilsen grant to Kessler Foundation, includes the participation of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and United Spinal Association.  This episode was recorded, edited, and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on October 5th, 2017 at Kessler Foundation, 120 Eagle Rock Ave, East Hanover, NJ In our second episode MaryLea West, project coordinator for the Return 2 Work early intervention program at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation met with Craig B. Brod a practicing attorney and partner at the international, NYC-based law-firm, Cleary Gottlieb Steen and Hamilton. Mr. Brod spent the past 38 years practicing law with little interruption. That was until January of 2017, when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. Mr. Brod first began noticing symptoms of GBS when he returned from traveling abroad, where he and others experienced an intestinal infection. Everyone recovered. Initially, Mr. Brod felt unilateral pain down one leg and believed it was sciatica. The symptoms soon progressed to include extreme weakness, tingling sensations, and numbness in both legs. Unable to walk, he called 911. Mr. Brod was taken to Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey, and there he was diagnosed.   Mr. Brod’s symptoms increased in intensity over the next four weeks. He experienced complete paralysis and lost the ability to speak, eat, drink, and breathe independently.   He was brought to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in February 2017, determined to attend his oldest son’s graduation in May that academic year. This is Mr. Brod’s story…

Stay@Work/Return2Work These podcasts are the inspirational stories of individuals with SCI who have participated in the Resource Facilitation Program at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and successfully returned to work – whether in a previous position or a new one. In sharing these stories, we aim to keep hope alive and remind those in similar situations that every day brings with it new possibilities. The study, which is funded by a Craig H. Neilsen grant to Kessler Foundation, includes the participation of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and United Spinal Association.  This episode was recorded, edited, and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on October 5th, 2017 at Kessler Foundation, 120 Eagle Rock Ave, East Hanover, NJ   Our first episode MaryLea West, project coordinator for the Return 2 Work early intervention program at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation met with Megan Helsel, a Wildlife Specialist for the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. In early October 2016, Ms. Helsel experienced sudden back pain and bilateral numbness in both legs. She was rushed to a local emergency room where an MRI showed that a hemangioma (tumor) had ruptured in her spinal cord. Unable to stand or walk, she was admitted to the hospital and prescribed a high dose of steroids to reduce swelling. Two days later, after showing no improvement, Ms. Helsel was told that she would need immediate spinal cord surgery. After surgery, Megan was transferred to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation where she immediately began physical therapy. On her 11th day, she took her first steps. This is Megan's story...

Episode 1 - Bench to Bedside Brown Bag Podcast Series A podcast series about developed treatment and evidence based protocols developed by Kessler Foundation researchers for rehabilitation therapist. This podcast series is sponsored by Kessler Foundation and has been co-organized by Dr. A.M. Barrett of Kessler Foundation, Dr. Kelly Kearns, Dr Monique Tremaine, and Ms Tina Collar of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. Our first podcast was presented by Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti and Nancy Moore, MA who presented "Treating New Learning and Memory Deficits in Rehabilitation Populations: the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT)" Dr. Chiaravalloti is Director of Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory and Traumatic Brain Injury Research at Kessler Foundation. Nancy Moore is the Research Manager for the Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Laboratory and the Traumatic Brain Injury Laboratory also at Kessler Foundation. To follow along with this podcast, be sure and download the presentation slides at https://www.kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filepicker/11/Chiaravalloti_Nancy_mSMT_18JAN18.pdf This podcast was recorded at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJ on Thursday, January 18th, 2018 and edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation. For more information about the research of Kessler Foundation, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org

Welcome to a Kessler Foundation Spinal Cord Injury Grand Rounds podcast featuring Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti, Director of Neuropsychology and Neuroscience & Traumatic Brain Injury Research at Kessler Foundation. Dr. Chiaravalloti will be presenting "Cognitive Functioning in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury". This presentation was recorded and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Thursdayday, January 12, 2018 at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Conference Center, West Orange, New Jersey and was hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System, which is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026).  NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  To view powerpoint presentation click here www.kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filepicker/11/12JAN18_SCI_GrandRounds_Chiaravalloti_SCIandCognition.pdf

Welcome to Kessler Foundations Expert Interview series! In this episode, CarolAnn Murphy, Communications Manager and Laura vigilone, Communications Specialist, interviewed Drs. George Rebok a professor at John Hopkins University, Bloomberg school of public health about a collaboration with Dr. Nancy Chivaralotti of Kessler Foundation on cognitive processing speed. This interview was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler foundation on June 26th, 2017.

Welcome to a Kessler Foundation Spinal Cord Injury Grand Rounds podcast featuring Dr. Andrew Elkwood from the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction at The Plastic Surgery Center, Shrewsbury, New Jersey. This is the second lecture in a two-part series on surgical interventions in people with Spinal Cord Injury. This presentation was recorded and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Monday, November 13, 2017 at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Conference Center, West Orange, New Jersey and was hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System, which is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Welcome to a stroke research lecture podcast. This episode features Dr. Ann Kolanowksi, RN, FGSA, FAAN presenting “The Challenge of Delirium Superimposed on Dementia: Assessment and Intervention in Post-acute Care” Dr. Kolanowski is Professor of Nursing and Professor of Psychiatry, College of Medicine Adjunct Professor, Associated Faculty, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania This episode was recorded on Monday, November 16th 2017 at the Kessler Foundation Conference Center, 120 Eagle Rock Ave, East Hanover, New Jersey and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Welcome to a stroke research lecture podcast.This episode features Dr. Brian Keane presenting “Visual Perceptual Disturbances as a Window into the Underlying Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia” Dr. Keane is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers--Robert Wood Johnson Medical School with affiliations at University Behavioral Health Care and Center for Cognitive Science Click here to view the presentation pdf... https://www.kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/filepicker/11/KesslerFoundation_StrokeResearch_BrianKeane_18OCT17.pdf This episode was recorded on Monday, October 18, 2017 at the Kessler Foundation Conference Center, 120 Eagle Rock Ave, East Hanover, New Jersey and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Welcome to another Expert Interviews Series podcast. This episode we met with Dr. Benjamin Hampstead, an Associate Professor in Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Staff Neuropsychologist, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and Clinical Core Leader of the NIA funded Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Core Center. Dr. Hampstead is a licensed Psychologist and board certified Clinical Neuropsychologist who specializes in aging and dementia. His research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and Department of Veterans Affairs and examines the neuroanatomical bases of age- and disease-related cognitive change using structural and functional neuroimaging. Additionally, Dr. Hampstead investigates the neurorehabilitation of cognitive impairment using both cognitive rehabilitation and non-invasive electrical brain stimulation. He has authored multiple studies and co-edited a book entitled, “Cognitive Plasticity in Neurologic Disorders” on these topics. This podcast was recorded on Monday, November 6th, 2017 at the Kessler Foundation Conference Center, 120 Eagle Rock Ave, East Hanover, New Jersey and was hosted by CarolAnn Murphy, Communications Manager at the Foundation. It was created and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Welcome to the 2017 Baird Visiting Educational Professorship Lecture. Dr. Benjamin Hampstead presented by “Non-pharmacologic Treatment of Memory Impairment in Older Adults” =================================== In 1957, William Torrey Baird, Jr., started a family tradition of giving to Kessler that has spanned across three generations. A veteran of the First World War, Mr. W. Baird, Jr., saw the power of rehabilitation after an injury and felt compelled to help. Joining Kessler’s Board of Trustees, he began a lifelong commitment of support to medical rehabilitation—a value that he passed down to his nephew, Collier W. Baird, Jr. Mr. C. Baird, Jr. furthered that commitment by establishing a trust to benefit Kessler Foundation and expand its research. A portion of the funds established the Baird Visiting Educational Professorship at Kessler Foundation. The Baird lecture continues to educate the next generation of researchers on innovative medical rehabilitation research and treatment options. Guest speakers frequently form collaborations with Foundation scientists to bring research advances around the globe. This years Baird lecturer is Dr. Benjamin Hampstead an Associate Professor in Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Staff Neuropsychologist, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and Clinical Core Leader of the NIA funded Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Core Center Dr. Hampstead is a licensed Psychologist and board certified Clinical Neuropsychologist who specializes in aging and dementia. His research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and Department of Veterans Affairs and examines the neuroanatomical bases of age- and disease-related cognitive change using structural and functional neuroimaging. Additionally, Dr. Hampstead investigates the neurorehabilitation of cognitive impairment using both cognitive rehabilitation and non-invasive electrical brain stimulation. He has authored multiple studies and co-edited a book entitled, “Cognitive Plasticity in Neurologic Disorders” on these topics. Dr. Hampstead presented “Non-pharmacologic Treatment of Memory Impairment in Older Adults” on Monday, November 6th, 2017 at the Kessler Foundation Conference Center, 120 Eagle Rock Ave, West Orange, NJ. This podcast was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Interview with Buffy Wojciehowski. co-coordinator for the Kessler Foundation/Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation/Team Kessler Walk To Victory 24 hour paralysis event being held Friday, November 3 - Saturday, November 4, 2017. Make the decision to change the lives of people with disabilities. Support Kessler Foundation’s Team Reeve at http://walk-to-victory.everydayhero.do/

John O'Neill, PhD, James Malec, PhD, and Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD are collaborating on a major project aimed at increasing employment after spinal cord injury

Welcome to a Kessler Foundation Spinal Cord Injury Grand Rounds podcast featuring Francesco Gargano, MD, PhD. This is a first in a two-part series on surgical interventions in people with Spinal Cord Injury featuring speakers from the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction at The Plastic Surgery Center. In Shrewsbury, New Jersey. This presentation was recorded and produced by Joan Banks-Smith on Monday, October 16, 2017 at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, New Jersey and was hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System, which is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) under grant number 90SI5026.  NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services. To learn more about our research, go to www.kesslerfoundation.org

Our Second Panel Discussion: Wellness, Everyday Life Activities, & Employment included Drs. Yael Goverover, Kimberly Beckwith McGuire, and Lauren B. Strober. Drs. Yael Goverover is an occupational therapist with expertise in developing interventions to improve everyday function and quality of life in individuals with MS and is a visiting scientist at Kessler Foundation. Her research focuses on cognitive and functional impairments and their impact on activities of daily living and participation. Dr. Kimberly Beckwith McGuire, is staff psychologist and leader of the MS Wellness Program at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation . Dr. McGuire has more than a decade of experience treating people with MS and conducts clinical research examining the effectiveness of clinical interventions for individuals with chronic medical conditions. Dr. Lauren B. Strober, is an expert in the field of quality of life in people with MS and a senior research scientist at Kessler Foundation. Her research focuses on secondary complications of MS. Dr. Strober explores how factors specific to the individual, such as personality and coping skills, impact quality of life and employment. MODERATOR for our panel Discussion is Michele Pignatello, chief development officer of Kessler Foundation, is responsible for raising philanthropic funds to advance Kessler Foundation’s rehabilitation research and disability employment initiatives by finding connections and building relationships. She has more than two decades of experience guiding philanthropy in support of charitable institutions. This presentation was recorded and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Friday, October 13, 2017 at the The Westminster Hotel, 550 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue,Livingston, New Jersey 07039 Be sure and check out all of the conference podcast presentation at KesslerFoundation.org/MS2017 and slides at kesslerfoundation.org/podcastpdf For more information about our research, go to KesslerFoundation.org

Panel Discussion #1: Wellness, Everyday Life Activities, & Employment Welcome to Kessler Foundations 2017 Multiple Sclerosis consumer conference, Improving Cognitive, Emotional, & Physical Health in Multiple Sclerosis This conference is hosted by Kessler Foundation and is being funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Grant #1508-05940) This presentation was recorded and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Friday, October 13, 2017 at the The Westminster Hotel, 550 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue,Livingston, New Jersey 07039 Our first Panel Discussion: Fatigue, Motivation, Physical Activity, & Social Cognition included Drs. Glenn Wylie, Ekaterina Dobryakova, and Helen Genova. Dr. Glenn Wylie, a leader in the application of neuroimaging technology to better understand cognition, is associate director of the Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center at Kessler Foundation. Dr. Wylie’s research focuses on cognitive fatigue and cognitive control in neurological populations. Dr. Helen M. Genova, an expert in the field of cognitive impairment in MS, is senior research scientist at Kessler Foundation . Dr. Genova uses magnetic resonance imaging to examine cognitive fatigue and interventions to treat it. She spearheads Kessler Foundation’s research of social cognition. Dr. Ekaterina Dobryakova, is an expert in cognitive neuroscience, and a research scientist in our traumatic brain injury Department at Kessler Foundation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, Dr. Dobryakova examines the influence of performance feedback on learning and how learning through feedback is affected by depression and fatigue. MODERATOR for our panel Discussion is Michele Pignatello, chief development officer of Kessler Foundation, is responsible for raising philanthropic funds to advance Kessler Foundation’s rehabilitation research and disability employment initiatives by finding connections and building relationships. She has more than two decades of experience guiding philanthropy in support of charitable institutions. For more information about our research, go to KesslerFoundation.org