Brain Injury Association of Montana

About Us

BIAM's Mission Statement

To create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy.

Goals

The Brain Injury Association of Montana was organized by families who struggled with the frustration that can be experienced by those in search of information, appropriate services and support for their loved ones.

The goals of the Brain Injury Association of Montana are:

To increase public awareness of the consequences of traumatic brain injury.
To reduce the incidence of TBI through prevention, education, and legislation.
To provide information and resource services to TBI thrivers, family members and professionals.
To continue in the development and maintenance of statewide support groups.
To assist in the development of rehabilitation programs from acute care to community living.
To raise funds to support traumatic brain injury research and training.

Vision

A world where all preventable brain injuries are prevented, all unpreventable brain injuries are minimized and all individuals who have experienced brain injury maximize their quality of life.

History

In 1985, there were three known support groups meeting around the state on an irregular basis. A core group of eight individuals dedicated themselves to forming a state organization for the benefit of brain injury survivors and their families throughout Montana. Angela and Jim Spall and Maria Nyberg of Helena, Ty and Scotty MacLeod, of Billings, Joyce Steele of Great Falls, Jim Malloy of Bozeman, and Heather Joern of Kalispell met in Helena in 1985 and founded the Montana Head Injury Foundation. This group dedicated the time, money and love needed to starting the statewide organization.

In November of 1987, The Montana Head Injury Foundation was officially formed with an eight-member board of directors. It also quickly became a chartered and affiliated organization of the National Head Injury Foundation. It was also in 1987 that the NHIF decided to change its name to National Head Injury Association and Montana followed suit by becoming the Montana Head Injury Association.

The first conference was held in the fall of 1988, which was attended by 133 people. In 1991, the Association opened an office at Eastern Montana College, staffed by volunteers and a graduate assistant. It soon became clear that more help was needed and an office manager was hired and the toll-free number was established.

In 1993, the organization again changed their name to the Brain Injury Association of Montana, as the national organization changed their name to Brain Injury Association of America. In 1994, the office was moved to Missoula to the University of Montana campus. The organization continued to change and grow through different presidents and directors.

BIAM's current Executive Director, Stacy Rye, joined the organization in 2001. Anna Stubbs, BIAM's work-study student came on board in early 2003 and was promoted to Office Manager in June 2004. Jennifer Williamson, Financial Officer, joined BIAM in 2003.

Our new team brings a wide range and diversity of experience and is excited to take BIAM to the next level of growth. BIAM's membership has grown and the newsletter reaches over 700 people and organizations. The annual statewide conference continues to be enormously successful and 2004 will offer a new line up of informative speakers and topics.

Please let us know how we can best serve your needs.

Join BIAM's efforts in preventing brain injury and advocating for the brain injured by becoming a member or a sponsor.

Thanks for supporting the Brain Injury Association of Montana!

Home / About Us / About Brain Injury / Support Groups / Personal Stories / Resources and Links / News and Events / Publications / Native Americans / Outreach / Membership / Sponsorship / Contact Us