2024 Mind Matters Conference to Be Held March 21-22 in Fargo
Feb 15, 2024
The
annual Mind Matters Conference will be held on March
21-22 in Fargo, North Dakota. This two-day conference
highlights new research, trends, practice strategies, and
collaborative models of care. Speakers will present
innovative approaches and new systems of care for
individuals living with brain injury. The conference
brings together a multidisciplinary audience of
survivors, family members, caregivers, and providers to
discuss diverse topics and support for individuals after
obtaining a brain injury. Mind Matters is hosted by the
North Dakota Brain
Injury Network (NDBIN).
To see a list of speakers and topics, view the conference agenda.
How to Attend
The conference will be held at the Ramada by Wyndham in Fargo. Virtual and in-person attendance options are available. More information for potential attendees, including costs and registration, is now available.
Keynote Speakers
The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the American Stroke Association, is sponsoring two keynote speakers at the 2024 Mind Matters Conference. Krissy Weissling, SLP-D, CCC-SLP, will present Post Stroke Aphasia: Communication Supports to Promote Optimal Outcomes on March 21, and Brier Jirka, LMHP, CPC, CST, will present Sexuality and Disability: What to Do When Life Changes on March 22.
The partnership between NDBIN and the American Heart and Stroke Association began in 2019, when legislation revised the North Dakota Century Code definition of brain injury to encompass all types of acute brain injuries, including stroke.
"I have had the privilege of working closely with the North Dakota Brain Injury Network team in developing resources and tools to assist stroke survivors in their journey to recovery," said Janna Pietrzak, quality programs manager for the American Heart Association. "Many brain injury survivors experience cognitive or physical deficits that significantly impact quality of life. These individuals can benefit greatly from the educational events, support groups, and referral assistance programs offered by NDBIN. This is especially true in rural areas of the state, where services may be difficult to locate."
"We can't wait to learn about post stroke aphasia with Kristy Weissling and sexuality and disability with Brier Jirka," said Carly Endres, senior project coordinator with NDBIN. "Both of these topics impact stroke survivors, as well as traumatic brain injury survivors, and will be informative for providers to these populations. NDBIN is proud that the Mind Matters Conference can offer a range of topics that satisfy all types of brain injury perspectives' needs."