Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council addresses strategic planning, policy, rules and services related to brain injury prevention, rehabilitation and the provision of long-term services and supports for persons who have survived brain injuries to improve their quality of life and ability to function independently in the home and community. Members:
| Michael Avari HHS Region 3Elijah Basnett HHS Region 3Jim Batchelor HHS Region 4 Lori Brandes Heather J. Cook Angela Cupp Andro Herrera-Mendoza Donna Kunz |
Austin Morgan HHS Region 7Dr. Benjamin Nguyen HHS Region 3Dr. Rachita Sharma HHS Region 3 Ryan Stork Johnny Taylor Dr. John Thottakara John Wood
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- Welcome and roll call. The meeting was convened by the chair, Andro Herrera-Mendoza. A quorum was present.
- Consideration of January 27, 2025, draft meeting minutes. The minutes were approved as drafted.
- Consideration of revisions to TBIAC draft bylaws TABLED
- Review initial draft of the Executive Commissioner Report. (A copy of the report was mailed to members but was never shared with the public, begging the question as to how the public is to respond under the public comment portion of the meeting).
Discussion. No discussion…. Texas Insight is left wondering why?
- Presentation: Advisory Committee Guidelines on Legislative Advocacy HHSC made a presentation from the Ethics Office which can be accessed by following the link.
- Committee updates.
Executive Committee—The focus has been on revitalizing the subcommittees.
Education, Awareness, Services, and Supports—They are focusing on the resources guide update. TBI Resources | Texas SPED Support; Texas Brain Injury Resource Guide | Navigate Life Texas; Resources and Support – Brain Injury Association of America; There appear to be many resource guides out there. Perhaps effort should be spent coordinating these guides.
Legislative and Policy—They have been focused on reviewing the by-laws and making revisions.
Database Review—They have been working on making the database more actionable. They have been looking at the Executive Commissioner Report and seeing if the previous recommendations are still operable. Non-traumatic brain injury (stroke) needs reporting improvements. The only data being reported is from hospitals which means a lot of data is not being reported. High School percussions should be reported statewide. The registry is not useful if only hospital data is reported. There is a national working group that could assist if Texas joined. Mandating reporting from all schools is complicated. The data is predominantly from the 6A schools. The concussion database is at UT Southwestern.
- HHSC Brain Injury Programs announcements and updates
Welcome, new council members. Dr. Jesseme; Ms. Gonzales, RN; Dr. Cindy Ivanhoe. Dr. Sharma has been reappointed.
Introduce new Council Liaison. Tonya Pharms
Review 2026 council meeting dates: January 26, April 27. July 27, October 26. All in 2026.
Review TBIAC appointment application. Applications have closed
- Public comment. There was one written public comment. No oral comments were provided. Without sharing of the draft reports, it is folly to think anyone would want to provide public comment.
- Review of agenda items for next meeting. Next meeting: October 27, 2025
- Legislative and policy committee will continue discussion on by-laws.
- Facilitation of contacts for presentations on data base
- Executive Commissioner Report
- Adjourn. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Click HERE to download the full report.
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