Mimi Goldman, who was pivotal in the development of the Council for the Head-Injured Community (CHIC), passed away in 1997. She was the first person with a brain injury to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. Mimi served as a role model for the brain injury community, sharing her talents and experiences on numerous committees and events, and always with a characteristic smile.

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey established the Miriam (Mimi) Goldman Positive Achievement Award in the spring of 1997 to commemorate Mimi Goldman. This award is presented each year to an individual with a brain injury to honor his or her accomplishments.

2010 Recipient

Frank Smith

Frank Smith has been an advocate for both prevention education, and for individuals with disability since his brain injury in 1982. Mr. Smith has worked for Gloucester County government as a field specialist in narcotics education since 1990, and has shared his inspirational story, with sincerity and humor, with more than 35,000 students in public and private schools throughout southern New Jersey. His latest project, a DVD titled "Let Me Be Your Mistake--The Frank Smith Story" encourages youth to learn from his mistakes. Mr. Smith is in his second term as an elected school board member in his community, and sits on the Gloucester County School Violence Prevention Committee. His personal committment to foster awareness and sensitivity about brain injury and disability among youth and to reach out to provide support and encouragement to others who have experienced brain injury truly reflects the spirit of the Mimi Goldman Positive Achievement Award.

Past Recipients

2009 - Joseph Caminiti
2008 - Jane Concato
2007 – Edwin Rivas
2006 – Katrina Majeski & David Showalter
2005 – Steve Benvenisti, Esq.
2004 – William Snook, Jr.
2003 – Patrick Giannetti
2002 – Marilyn Gelman
2001 – Bob Aaronson
2000 – Herb Kinnard
1999 – Michael J. Sherman
1998 – Kathryn Phillips
1997 – Michael Greenwald

Make A Nomination

If you know someone with a brain injury who has made positive achievements deserving of the Mimi Goldman Positive Achievement Award, please take the time to nominate them. The deadline is April 1 every year.