BIAPA Presents Ten Awards at the 2026 Conference
Each year at the annual conference in Lancaster, the Brain Injury Association honors individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to Pennsylvania's brain injury community.
The Barb Dively Advocacy Award was presented to Cindy Clark, President and Founder of Tri-State Advocacy. For decades, Tri State Advocacy has assisted individuals and their families in obtaining resources to address their needs when facing significant disability-related challenges. Cindy will go to great lengths to assist and advocate for others, even in the most difficult situations. She and her staff are committed to securing equipment, safe and supportive living arrangements, and any services that may help individuals achieve their goals and live safe, fulfilling lives.
They demonstrate exceptional expertise in overcoming the many challenges associated with insurance denials and navigating complex systems of care. In a world filled with complicated obstacles, Cindy and Tri State Advocacy have shown an unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities.
The Dan Keating Pioneer in Brain Injury Award was presented to Monica Vaccaro,
BIAPA’s Director of Programs. For decades, Monica has advocated for program development for survivors of brain injury, caregivers, and neurorehabilitation professionals. She has worked at all levels in supporting brain injury survivors and their families.
Monica has regularly taken calls from survivors seeking resources or placement, supervises volunteers who work on the Brain Injury Resource Line, consulted with rehabilitation professionals regarding clinical trends and service needs, collaborated with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on service implementation and advocacy efforts, and worked at the national level with the Brain Injury Association of America to increase awareness of needs and available resources. The brain injury community in Pennsylvania would not be where it is today without the dedicated leadership, expertise, and commitment Monica has provided for decades.
The Dennis Minori Family Tribute Award was presented to Robert Davis and Family. In 2012, Rachel Davis sustained a traumatic brain injury in a serious school bus accident while traveling with 21 students to a leadership retreat. Since that day, Rachel has lived with constant daily headaches and migraines, along with ongoing neck, back, and shoulder pain, as well as vestibular challenges. Although she may appear well outwardly, the invisible nature of her injury has required immense adjustment for the entire family.
Through it all, Robert has been the steady foundation that has held the family together. He made career changes that enabled him to care for his family, managing the household, preparing meals, helping with schoolwork, and ensuring that Rachel attended every medical appointment. He actively educated himself by reading extensively and attending caregiver retreats, always seeking ways to better support his wife's recovery. When their daughter, during her senior year of college, sustained a concussion in a car accident and required a year-long recovery program, Robert once again stepped in fully, providing care, stability, and emotional support during another challenging chapter.
The Direct Service Award was presented to Harold McGinnis.
Over his 15-year career in Pittsburgh, Harold McGinnis has become a cornerstone of the brain injury community at ReMed. Beginning as an overnight direct care staff member and advancing to Team Lead and Health and Safety Representative, Harold has consistently demonstrated a standard of excellence that he not only meets himself but inspires in those around him. His military background is evident in his meticulous attention to detail and his understanding that, for individuals recovering from brain injuries, routine is more than a schedule, it is a lifeline. His ability to create and maintain structured, supportive environments has provided clients with a sense of safety, stability, and progress, even during difficult times.
Harold’s dedication is matched by his compassion. He takes the time to connect with each individual, helping them see their strengths and potential beyond their injury. He has also served as a mentor to countless staff members, sharing his knowledge and encouraging the next generation of professionals in the field.
The Award also recognizes the lasting influence of Harold's late wife, Wanda McGinnis, a dedicated direct care professional whose passion for serving others helped inspire Harold’s own career. Together, they were known for their unwavering commitment to the individuals they supported and the positive impact they made throughout the Pittsburgh brain injury community.
The John Sears Inspiration Award was presented to Joel Tumberello. Joel's survival and return to a full and productive life after suffering an aneurysm while overseas is remarkable. He has returned to practicing medicine while devoting an enormous amount of time to volunteering with BIAPA’s Brain Injury Resource Line (BIAPA), all while being a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Joel has impacted the lives of countless survivors by offering them support and connecting them with much-needed resources. Additionally, thanks to his encouragement, individuals with lived brain injury experience have volunteered for BIRL and participated in BIAPA’s annual conference.
The Leadership Award was presented to Janet Belitsky.
Dr. Janet Belitsky has been a brain injury advocate for survivors and their families for much of her career. For 26 years at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, she served as a clinical psychologist, providing assessment and therapeutic services for inpatient and outpatient populations. She also successfully served as Director of Main Line Health Care Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Psychological Associates for two and a half years before returning to her first love, direct patient care. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, an active member of multiple treatment teams and program committees, and a frequent presenter for professional development workshops and community organizations.
Janet has received a Service Award for Excellence in Patient Care and an "I Care" Performance Plus Award.
She facilitates a monthly Brain Injury & Stroke Support Group and an Adult Post-Concussion Support Group. In addition to her treatment work, she has considerable experience completing cognitive and emotional screenings following concussion, offering recommendations, and providing psychoeducation about the recovery process and common complications.
The Organization Award was presented to Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing (RHRW).
RHRW is committed to providing an expansive array of services and supports for persons with acquired and traumatic brain injuries. In addition to demonstrating best practices in medical management, case management, and therapies expected in brain injury rehabilitation, RHRW has, since its opening in 2009, offered beneficial supportive services. RHRW currently offers monthly in-person support groups for brain injury survivors, stroke survivors, persons with aphasia, and caregivers. A Rock Steady Boxing Program for persons with Parkinson's is highly regarded for its enjoyment and functional outcomes.
RHRW regularly participates in such events as Mind Your Brain Conferences, March Brain Injury Awareness activities, and the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania's Annual Conference. The RHRW staff have demonstrated their ability to relate to brain injury survivors and their families and significant others in a compassionate, competent manner, while they also focus on their enhanced learning.
The Public Policy Award was presented to Darryl and Michelle Gibbs. Darryl and Michelle Gibbs have transformed personal tragedy into a mission of education, advocacy, and prevention that has impacted families across Pennsylvania and beyond. Darryl's advocacy began following the loss of his eight-month-old daughter, Cynthia, to Shaken Baby Syndrome in 2000. Rather than allowing grief to define his future, he dedicated himself to raising awareness and preventing pediatric brain injuries. Over the past 25 years, he has educated communities, spoken publicly about prevention, and advocated for legislative change throughout the United States and Canada.
His efforts contributed to the enactment of multiple child-protection laws in New York, including "Cynthia's Law," named in honor of his daughter. He also became the first advocate to present Shaken Baby Syndrome awareness before the United States Congress and continues to serve as a parent spokesperson and ambassador for national prevention organizations.
Michelle Gibbs has been equally instrumental in advancing this mission. As Executive Director of House of His Creation in Lititz, Pennsylvania, she leads programs that support young mothers through parenting education, life-skills training, and family support services. Through her work, she has educated families on child safety, injury prevention, and the warning signs of abusive head trauma. Together, Darryl and Michelle developed the "Hugs Not Harm: Understanding Shaken Baby Syndrome" program, which educates middle and high school students about brain injury prevention, emotional regulation, and safe caregiving practices. The program continues to expand with the goal of reaching students across Pennsylvania.
The Service to the Association Award was presented to Frank Notaro.
Frank Notaro is a survivor of a traumatic brain injury sustained in a car accident when he was 13 years old. At the time, medical experts told his family that he would never walk again and would not be able to finish school. Frank not only learned to walk again; he also completed high school and earned a bachelor's degree.
He has demonstrated not only a commitment to his own rehabilitation, but also a passion for helping others on their rehabilitation journeys. While at Success Rehabilitation, he created a poster on traumatic brain injury that he later presented at the BIAPA Annual Conference. He was subsequently invited to serve on the Advisory Panel of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Head Injury Program. Frank is a volunteer with BIAPA’s
Ambassador Program and for six years he has been active and inspiring member of BIAPA's Brain Injury Resource Line (BIRL) team. Frank also participates in Brain Injury Awareness Day events – traveling to Harrisburg and to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators and advocate for increased funding and more comprehensive rehabilitation services for brain Injury survivors.
The Service to the Brain Injury Community Award was presented to Janine Kirby and Natanya Sortland
Janine and Natanya’s paths to advocacy began through immense personal struggle. Janine Kirby's life was altered when a steel beam struck her head on a construction site, leading to a profound traumatic brain injury. Similarly, Natanya Sortland navigated the terrifying complexities of multiple concussions followed by a subarachnoid brain bleed. Both women faced the road to recovery around the same time, often climbing the invisible mountain of cognitive and physical rehabilitation. Yet, rather than letting these experiences define their limitations, they used them as the foundation for their "loud and proud" voices.
As Community Outreach Coordinators for the Mind Your Brain Foundation, Natanya and Janine have turned their personal survival into a public mission. They advocate fiercely for fellow survivors, ensuring that the struggles - and the potential - of those with brain injuries are recognized by the public and medical communities alike. Their work bridges the gap between medical discharge and long-term community reintegration, providing a roadmap for others who are still finding their way through the fog of recovery.
