Brain Injury Neurodevelopmental Consulting, LLC
A boutique brain injury legal expert witness consulting firm
724-944-7744
Dr. Brenda Eagan-Johnson
Child, Adolescent, & Young Adult
Brain Injury Neurodevelopment
Brain Injury Education Specialist
Specializing in Brain Injury Educational Neuroscience & NeuroRehabilitation
After Neurotrauma
Investigates Clinical & Functional Aspects of
Education & Transition After Traumatic Brain Injury
& Other Forms of Neurotrauma.
Expertise in:
Identification of Pre- & Post-Brain Injury Changes,
Brain Injury-Related Education & Transition Planning,
School District Concussion Management Policies & Procedures,
Educational Case Management for Students with Brain Injury,
College & University Planning & Case Management for Students with Disabilities,
Executive Function Coaching & NeuroRehabilitation
Legal Case Consultation & Case Literature Reviews.
Intensive clinical daily experience paired with the latest cutting edge research when working with children, adolescents, and young adults following
all severities of pediatric brain injury.
Children, adolescents & young adults may experience behavioral and learning difficulties following a brain injury.
Nationally, because school staff rarely receive training on the resulting educational effects & academic supports required after a student's brain injury, those students often receive
inappropriate educational and behavioral plans at school.
Dr. Eagan-Johnson dedicates her work to identifying and ensuring students receive needed individualized education, transition supports, & resources to promote
optimal outcomes post-brain injury.
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Extensive Pediatric Brain Injury Experience
Dr. Brenda Eagan-Johnson, CBIST-AP specializes in the current and future cognitive, learning, socio-emotional, physical, & behavioral aspects of all types & severities of pediatric brain injury, with over two decades of experience. Dr. Eagan-Johnson focuses on identifying the strengths & deficit areas of clinical & functional skills in children, teens, & young adults through college-age after brain injury.
Dr. Eagan-Johnson directs the nationally recognized BrainSTEPS Child & Adolescent Brain Injury School Consulting Program for the state of Pennsylvania, which she helped create in 2007. The Colorado Department of Education adopted the BrainSTEPS model in 2016. Dr. Eagan-Johnson focuses on translational research, program development, the fidelity of implementation, & the consultation & training of hundreds of brain injury education expert consultants serving on 30 BrainSTEPS teams across the state.
In her work, she also connects families to medical & rehabilitation professionals to ensure children, teens, & young adults after brain injury receive the needed community-based support & services if home and/or school-based learning or behavior are impacted.
Additionally, Dr. Eagan-Johnson:
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Received her Doctorate from Johns Hopkins University specializing in Mind, Brain, & Teaching (educational neuroscience),
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Received her Master's Degree in Education & Human Development, focusing on transition & special education for students with pediatric brain injury from GWU,
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Certified as a Brain Injury Specialist Trainer with Advanced Practice in NeuroRehabilitation,
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Serves on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists under the Brain Injury Association of America.
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Serves on the Board of Directors for the International Pediatric Brain Injury Society.
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Serves as an expert consultant for:
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A CDC funded $2.2 million 4-year study of BrainSTEPS student outcomes;
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A CDC funded study with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & BrainSTEPS investigating pediatric mild traumatic brain injury, health disparities, and access to care.
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Served as an Instructor for the George Washington University's (GWU's) Graduate School of Education and Human Development teaching coursework on brain injury,
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Focuses her research interests on pediatric brain injury which includes professional development for school staff, communication & processes of medical to rehabilitation to home & school transitions, students in early intervention/preschool, K-12 grades, & college-age, as well as program evaluation of school district Return to Learn Concussion Management Team models,
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Holds three teaching certifications,
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Serves on national brain injury advisory boards,
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Publishes on pediatric brain injury in peer-review journals,
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Presents regularly at the state, national & international levels,
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Received multiple state & national awards for her work in brain injury,
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Served as an expert external reviewer for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),
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Co-authored a CDC document on return to school strategies,
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Created and spearheads the development of PA’s Return to Learn Concussion Management Team Model, now training over 3,000+ school-based teams,
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Advocates for social justice legal aid funding for health disparity groups and has been asked to present numerous times for national and federal organizations in PA and Washington, DC, including a Senate briefing panel and a Congressional briefing panel in Washington, D.C.
"Eagan-Johnson...probably has been more effective than anyone in the country at training people on school-based concussion management."
S. Moore, 1/2019, Portland Tribune reporter, Pamplin Media Group, InvestigateWest
"What I've found is, anywhere we have resistance -- and we meet resistance, because of that public perception -- 'Oh, they're fine,' 'They look fine,' 'The doctor said they're going to be fine' -- once we do awareness training, to let them know this is real and serious, the compassion tends to change [for the better]."
Dr. Brenda Eagan-Johnson speaking about pediatric traumatic brain injuries, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 11/29/10
personal injury, legal expert witness, concussion, traumatic brain injury, TBI, medico legal expert witness, mTBI, acquired brain injury, brain injury, expert
personal injury, legal expert witness, concussion, traumatic brain injury, TBI, medico legal expert witness, mTBI, acquired brain injury, brain injury, expert
"When we place demands on a student's brain, that can cause symptoms to spike...It is a balancing act to ensure that the student is still in school and learning, but also making sure their symptoms don't get worse."
Dr. Brenda Eagan-Johnson speaking about concussions,
Wall Street Journal, 8/20/2013
"Effects of brain injuries in children are not always immediately apparent and may not become evident until the child reaches important developmental stages. Over time, difficulties may emerge as demands on parts of the brain originally injured are increased," said Dr. Eagan-Johnson.
State health officials push awareness for brain injury among students
Fox 43 News, 9/12/2019
Education
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Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
2016-2019
Doctorate: Mind, Brain and Teaching
George Washington University
Washington, DC
2010
Post-Master's Graduate Certificate: Brain Injury: Educational & Transitional Services
George Washington University
Washington, DC
1995-1997
Master of Arts in Education and Human Development: Transitional Special Education Specializing in the Educational Aspect of Traumatic Brain Injury
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio
1991-1995
Bachelor of Arts: Elementary Education & Special Education
My education, training, & clinical experience has focused specifically on the neurodevelopmental impacts to education, home & family, socialization, behaviors, in-school transitions, and post-school transition resulting from pediatric brain injury.
I specialize in working with children, teens, & young adults with the following types of brain injuries:
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) which includes (mild/concussion, moderate, severe brain injuries) caused by:
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Falls
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Motor vehicle crashes
(ATV, car, go-cart)
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Assault
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Gunshot wounds
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Abuse/Assault
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Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome
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Pedestrian accidents
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Bicycle accidents
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Recreation activities
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Gunshot wounds
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Bomb blasts
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Bus accidents
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Brain surgery
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Playground accidents
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Sports
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Strangulation
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Choking
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Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
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etc...
Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries (nTBI) caused by:
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Lead poisoning
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Mold exposure
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Carbon monoxide poisoning
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Near-drowning
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Cardiac arrest/event (heart attack, diabetic coma,
blood clot...)
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Electric shock
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Lightning strike
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Stroke
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Brain tumor
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Aneurysm
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Seizures
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Ruptured AVM
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PANS/PANDAS
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COVID-19
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Lyme disease
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Childhood cancers & late-term chemotherapy & radiation effects to the brain
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Medication/Opioid Use/Drug Overdose
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Meningitis
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Encephalitis
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Lack of oxygen to the brain from any cause.
All types & severities of brain Injuries occurring prior to, during, and after birth.
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personal injury, legal expert witness, concussion, traumatic brain injury, TBI, medico legal expert witness, mTBI, acquired brain injury, brain injury, expert
Experience
BrainSTEPS – State Director
Child & Adolescent Brain Injury School Consulting Program
A joint project of the PA Department of Health, PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, & Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania
2007 – Present
The George Washington University - Instructor
Graduate School of Education and Human Development,
Department of Special Education & Disability Studies,
Master's Program & Graduate Certificate Program in Transition Special Education: Brain Injury
2015 – 2022
Awards
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles & Book Chapters
NATIONAL & STATE AWARDS & HONORS
Robert D. Voogt Founder’s Award
Awarded by the North American Brain Injury Society & the Robert D. Voogt family at the
International Pediatric Brain Injury Society Conference
September 2022
Athena Leader Award Nominee, Mercer & Lawrence County
April 2016
Wittenberg University Women in Leadership Luncheon Honoree
September 2015
Council on Brain Injury (CoBI) Organization Award for BrainSTEPS
Awarded by the Council on Brain Injury to the BrainSTEPS Program in PA for leadership and advocacy in the field of brain injury
September 2015
Brain Injury Award of Excellence for Directing & Developing the BrainSTEPS Program
Awarded by the Acquired Brain Injury Network in Pennsylvania
April 2014
Service to the Brain Injury Community Award
Awarded by the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania for the creation of the BrainSTEPS Concussion Management Team Project
June 2013
6th Annual Friend of Education Award
Awarded by the Midwestern Intermediate Unit #4 that serves Lawrence, Mercer, and Butler PA school districts
April 2013
40 Under 40 Award
Awarded by the Lawrence County, PA Chamber of Commerce & the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce
April 2013
Wittenberg University Alumni Citation Award
Awarded to one who honors Wittenberg by exceptional accomplishments in which service to humanity is placed ahead of personal gain or recognition.
October 2009
Pioneer in Brain Injury Award
Awarded by the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, Inc. for outstanding effort and achievement in charting new territory in the brain injury field for the creation and development of the BrainSTEPS Brain Injury School Re-Entry Program
June 2009
National Award of Excellence for Programs & Services
Awarded to Pennsylvania’s BrainSTEPS Brain Injury School Re-Entry Program
from the Brain Injury Association of America
December 2008
personal injury, legal expert witness, concussion, traumatic brain injury, TBI, medico legal expert witness, mTBI, acquired brain injury, brain injury, expert
personal injury, legal expert witness, concussion, traumatic brain injury, TBI, medico legal expert witness, mTBI, acquired brain injury, brain injury, expert
(Co-Author)
Savage, R., Tyler, J., S., Brown, J., Kang, K., Grandinette, S., Nagele, D., Eagan-Johnson, B. (In Process). Essential Brain Injury Guide [6th ed.]. Pediatrics and Adolescents. Kowakowsky-Hayner, S. (Ed.). Brain Injury Association of America.
(Co-Author)
Ciccia, A., Nagele, D., Chen, Z., Albert, J., Eagan-Johnson, B., Vaccaro, M., Haarbauer-Krupa, J., Crook, L., Riccardi, J., & Lundine, J. (2023). Cognitive, social, and health outcomes of children with TBI engaged in a formal support program, 52(4). NeuroRehabilitation.
(Co-Author)
Haarbauer-Krupa, J., Thigpen, S., Glang, A., Eagan-Johnson, B., McAvoy, K., Brunken, C., Chininis, M., Kurowski, B., Suskauer, S., Crowley, M., Denslow, P. (2023). Evaluability assessment for return to school after traumatic brain injury: Description of programs addressing the issues. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 10-1097.
(Lead Author-Book Chapter)
Eagan-Johnson, B., & Lockovich, M. (2023). Special education law and practices for the pediatric life care planner. In T. Owens, R. Weed, & M. Barros-Bailey (Eds.), Life Care Planning and Case Management Across the Lifespan. Routledge.
(Co-Author)
Merkley, T., Lindsey, H., Dennis, E. L., Eagan-Johnson, B., Bartnik-Olson, B., Ellis, M., Adamson, M. A., Bennett, E. R., Bigler E., Caeyenberghs, K., Chiou, K., Dams-O’Connor, K., de Souza, N., Halstead, A., Hillary, F. G., Hodges, C., Irimia, A., Keleher, F., Laughon, K., Lin, A., Marshall, A, Menefee, D., Monahan, K., Nemeth, J., Newsome, M., Riccardi, J. S., Rojczyk, P., Stein, D., Sullivan-Beca, E., Tate, D. F., Van Donkelaar, P., Whitlow, L., Wilde, E. A., Esopenko, C. (Pending Publication). Methodological considerations for IPV-related head trauma studies: Guidance from the ENIGMA consortium IPV working group. Preventative Medicine.
(Co-Author)
Crook, L., Riccardi, J., Eagan-Johnson, B., Vaccaro, M. & Ciccia, A. (2022). Factors impacting educational outcomes for students with traumatic brain injury in BrainSTEPS. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2022.2127899
(Co-Author)
Riccardi, J. S., Crook, L., Eagan-Johnson, B., Vaccaro, M., & Ciccia, A. H. (2021). Serving Students with Acquired Brain Injury: Understanding Long-Term Need and Outcomes After the BrainSTEPS Program (pp. 1-14). American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
(Co-Author)
Riccardi, J., Eagan-Johnson, B., Vaccaro, M., & Ciccia, A. (2021). Academic and post-secondary participation of students with ABI after the BrainSTEPS program. Brain Impairment, 1-16. doi:10.1017/BrImp.2021.10
(Co-Author)
Esopenko, C., Meyer, J., Wilde, J., Marshall, A., Tate, D., LinInga, A., Koerte, K., Werner, K., Dennis, E., Ware, A., de Souza, N., Menefee, D., Dams-O’Connor, K., Dan Stein, D., Bigler, E., Shenton, M., Chiou, K., Postmus, J., Monnahan, K., Eagan-Johnson, B., van Donkelaar, P., Merkley, T., Velez, C., Hodges, C., Lindsey, H., Johnson, P., Irimia, A., Spruiell, M., Bennett, E., Bridwell, A., Zieman, G., Hillary, F. A global collaboration to study intimate partner violence-related head trauma: The ENIGMA consortium IPV working group. (2020) Brain Imaging & Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-020-00417-0
(Co-Author)
Haarbauer-Krupa, J., Sarmiento, K., Thigpen, S., Glang, A., Eagan-Johnson, B., McAvoy, K., Chinnis, M., Kurowksi, B., Suskauer, S., Crowley, M., Denslow, P. Returning to school after traumatic brain injury: Description of programs addressing the issues. Manuscript in process.
(Co-Lead & Co-Author)
McAvoy, K., & Eagan-Johnson, B. Workgroup co-authors: Dymacek, R., Hooper, S., McCart, M., & Tyler, J. (2020) First national concussion return to learn consensus. Journal of School Health.
(Invited Guest Editor)
Guest Editor: Eagan-Johnson, B. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Group Neurogenic Communication Disorders. SIG 2 Perspectives Journal, consisting of 4 manuscripts.
(Co-Author)
Salley, J., Krusen, S., Lockovich, M., Wilson, B., Eagan-Johnson, B., & Tyler, J. (2019). Maximizing expertise and collaboration to support students with brain injury: A case study in speech-language pathology. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. 1-16
(Co-Author)
McAvoy, K., Eagan-Johnson, B., & Halstead, M. (2018). Return to learn: Transitioning to school and through ascending levels of academic support for students following a concussion. Journal of NeuroRehabilitation, (Preprint), 1–6. doi:10.3233/NRE-172381
(Lead Author)
Eagan-Johnson, B. & Grandinette, S. (2018). Addressing educational challenges in pediatric onset brain
injury. Journal of life care planning, 16(1), 53-61.
(Co-Author)
Myers, R.., Eagan-Brown, B., Conway, A., Nagele, D., Vaccaro, M., Kendi, S., & Zonfrillo, M. Examining a statewide educational consulting program for pediatric brain injury. Clinical Pediatrics, ePub ahead of print: September 21, 2017, doi:10.1177/0009922817732146.
(Co-Author)
Halstead, M., Eagan Brown, B., & McAvoy, K. (2016). Cognitive rest following concussions: Rethinking cognitive rest. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 0, 1.
doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096674
(Co-Author)
Halstead, M., McAvoy, K., & Eagan Brown, B. (2016) Expanding concussion laws not necessary for return to learning after concussion. Pediatrics, 138(6), 1-2. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-3194
(Co-Author)
Gioia, G. A., Glang, A. E., Hooper, S. R., & Eagan Brown, B. (2016). Building statewide infrastructure for the academic support of students with mild traumatic brain injury. The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 31(6), 397–406. doi:10.1097/HTR.0000000000000205
(Co-Author)
Zirkel, P., & Eagan Brown, B. (2015). K-12 students with concussions: A legal perspective. The Journal of School Nursing, 31(2), 99-109. doi: 10.1177/1059840514521465
(Contributing Author)
Dettmer, J., Ettel, D., Glang, A., & McAvoy, K. (2014). Building statewide infrastructure for effective educational services for students with TBI: Promising practices and recommendations. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. doi:10.1097/HTR.0b013e3182a1cd
(Co-Author)
Todis, B., Tyler, J., & Eagan Brown, B. (2010). TBI training and technical assistance teams:
A statewide model to improve school services. Brain Injury, 24(3)115-463: 115-463.
(Co-Author)
Glang, A., Todis, B., Sublette, P., Eagan Brown, B., & Vaccaro, M. (2010). Professional development in TBI for educators: the importance of context. The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 25(6), 426–432. doi:10.1097/HTR.0b013e3181fb8f45
Co-Author of Additional Publications
Brain Injury & Child Welfare Best Practice Guide: Information & Tools for State Agencies. (2023). Administration for Community Living TBI State Partnership Program Ad Hoc Workgroup on Child Welfare.
Aspillaga, C., Rumrill, S., Hendricks, D., Eagan-Johnson, B., Smith, T., & Rumrill, P. (March 2023). Employment Accommodation After Violence and Brain Injury. Brain Injury Professional.
Eagan Brown, B., Grandinette, S., Johnson, C., & Shea, M. (2017). The value of educators and brain injury educational specialists in a pediatric legal case. Brain Injury Professional, 14(3), 20-23.
Eagan Brown, B., Orzo, S., McAvoy, K. (2017). School nurses: Managing student concussions and privacy concerns. Brain Injury Professional, 14(3), 28-30.
Pennsylvania Department of Education. (2017). The BrainSTEPS Program - Returning to school after concussion: Recommended protocol.
Pennsylvania Department of Education. (2016). Teacher’s desk reference on concussion.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Helping students recover from a
concussion: Classroom tips for teachers.
Eagan Brown, B. (2010). Pennsylvania’s BrainSTEPS: Child & Adolescent Brain Injury School Re-Entry Program. Brain Injury Professional, 7(2).
EXPERT REVIEWER
Federal Research Project Reviewer - Appointed by Centers for Disease Control Director
Grants for Injury Control Research Centers (ICRC) Special Emphasis Panel
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA
May 2023
Federal Publication: Centers for Disease Control. (2018). Report to Congress: The management of traumatic brain injury in children: Opportunities for action. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
SELECT NATIONAL WORKGROUPS
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Community Living (ACL) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) State Partnership Program
Mentor State Workgroup Member
2022-Present
National Collaborative for Children with Brain Injury (NCCBI)
Co-Lead- Executive Board
2021 - Present
Originally the Nittany Group - founding member
2011 - Present
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM)
Pediatric Brain Injury Task Force Group
2020 - Present
ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) Consortium Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Working Group
Brain Injury
2019-present
Galveston Brain Injury Conference by Invitation Only
Sponsored by University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and The Learning Center (TLC). To create action steps needed to resolve identified gaps in service for children with TBI as identified in the CDC 2018 Report to Congress on TBI in Children & to set national policy agenda
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Lead– Pic-Up Tool Workgroup – creation of a tool for medical and educational professionals to identify late term effects of TBI in children and adolescents.
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Group Member – Juvenile Justice System Project
Galveston, TX
2019-2021
Contact
Dr. Eagan-Johnson
Email:
Phone: 724-944-7744
personal injury, legal expert witness, concussion, traumatic brain injury, TBI, medico legal expert witness, mTBI, acquired brain injury, brain injury, expert
personal injury, legal expert witness, concussion, traumatic brain injury, TBI, medico legal expert witness, mTBI, acquired brain injury, brain injury, expert
