Education at your fingertips.
BIANJ hosts a series of webinars throughout the year and maintains a library relevant to survivors, caregivers, service providers, and everyone in between. View the list below to register for upcoming webinars, or view past presentations. If you’re in need of further assistance, please give our helpline a call at 732-783-6172.
Webinar Series: Fueling Recovery
BIANJ will be hosting a webinar series in April 2026 exploring the issues related to nutrition after a brain injury. Please register for each session you would like to attend below.
April 14, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
Registration Form
The collaboration between a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) is more than just an evaluation of swallowing ability. In this webinar, the roles of each of these important health professionals will be described along with how their collaboration can improve the care of an individual with a brain injury. Using a case study and panel discussion, participants will leave with key points on how cognitive and swallowing function can impact nutritional health.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the role of the SLP and the RDN in the assessment of an individual with a brain injury.
- Understand the value of collaborative practice between the SLP and RDN in the care of an individual with a brain injury using examples from a case presentation.
- Identify opportunities when seeking either the SLP or RDN is necessary.
- Identify strategies to improve the health of an individual with a brain injury by addressing nutrition needs, cognitive and swallowing functions.
Speakers:
Jennifer Bridenbaugh, DCN, RDN, CNSC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences at Rutgers School of Health Professions. She has been a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist for over 30 years. Jennifer began her career in the Neuro and Surgical-Trauma Intensive Care Units and continued working in acute care settings, maintaining her expertise as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician. Throughout her career, she has provided medical nutrition therapy to individuals with a wide range of needs, including chronic disease management, malnutrition, and acute or long-term nutrition support. With more than 20 years of experience teaching and mentoring students in clinical nutrition and other health professions, Jennifer currently teaches advanced clinical and medical nutrition therapy to graduate nutrition students. She is passionate about interprofessional education and representing the nutrition profession in collaborative healthcare practice.
Kelly Ann Peña, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIST is an Assistant Professor of Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh and a bilingual speech-language pathologist specializing in brain injury, disability navigation, and migrant health. Her work bridges clinical practice, education, and mixed-methods research to examine how trauma, TBI, and executive functioning are misrecognized across educational, medical, and legal systems. A former Assistant Clinic Director at Rutgers University, Kelly is committed to culturally responsive, trauma-informed care and to expanding access for bilingual and immigrant families. She brings a systems-level lens to clinical education and advocates for equity-centered approaches to assessment, rehabilitation, and care coordination.
April 28, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
Registration Form
The nutritional health of an individual with a brain injury can impact overall health outcomes. Achieving adequate nutritional health is challenging. Individuals are faced with making wise food choices, managing barriers to intake such as dysphagia, rehabilitation, and working towards independence and more. This webinar will provide an overview of how medical nutrition therapy can fuel recovery but also provide strategies in managing challenges commonly found in individuals with a brain injury.
Learning Objectives:
- Define Medical Nutrition Therapy and how it can provide a framework for adequate nutritional health in individuals with brain injury
- Identify common challenges that impact the adequacy of oral intake in individuals with brain injury.
- Discuss strategies for how to overcome common challenges that impact nutritional health.
- Recognize the benefits of positive nutritional health outcomes using a case study.
Speaker:
Jennifer Bridenbaugh, DCN, RDN, CNSC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences at Rutgers School of Health Professions. She has been a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist for over 30 years. Jennifer began her career in the Neuro and Surgical-Trauma Intensive Care Units and continued working in acute care settings, maintaining her expertise as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician. Throughout her career, she has provided medical nutrition therapy to individuals with a wide range of needs, including chronic disease management, malnutrition, and acute or long-term nutrition support. With more than 20 years of experience teaching and mentoring students in clinical nutrition and other health professions, Jennifer currently teaches advanced clinical and medical nutrition therapy to graduate nutrition students. She is passionate about interprofessional education and representing the nutrition profession in collaborative healthcare practice.
Upcoming Webinars
May 19, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
Registration Form
This webinar will focus on dizziness after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It will cover common symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues, along with their underlying causes. Participants will learn about vestibular therapy, including when to seek treatment from specialty providers, common screening tools used, and various approaches to managing these symptoms, including emerging technologies. The session will also highlight the importance of collaboration among healthcare providers and address the specific needs of certain populations, such as individuals with persistent symptoms following a concussive event (mild TBI) and older adults with concussion and other types of TBI. Information will be provided to help patients and caregivers advocate for evidence-based care.
Presenter:
Jennifer Stoskus, PT, DPT, AVPT, NCS is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and board-certified neurologic clinical specialist. Dr. Stoskus holds certificates of competency in vestibular rehabilitation from Emory University and advanced vestibular physical therapy (AVPT) from the University of Pittsburgh. She has been practicing for more than 15 years in outpatient practice settings and specializes in the evaluation and management of adults with neuro-vestibular, concussion, and other complex balance disorders. Dr. Stoskus has also worked in the rehabilitation technology industry for companies that make force plate technologies, wearable sensors, virtual reality, remote therapeutic monitoring and other digital health platforms. She is pursuing her PhD at Seton Hall University, where she has also taught in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her research focuses on the use of technology in rehabilitation practice.
June 9, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
Registration Form
This webinar will explore evidence-based strategies to manage memory impairments following a brain injury. Attendees will learn tips on effectively implementing practical strategies and tools, focusing on enhancing recall for improved daily functioning and reduced frustration for individuals living with memory challenges. Topics will include the impact of memory impairment on daily life and actionable items for professionals, caregivers, and individuals impacted by brain injury.
Learning Objectives:
- Name the functions of semantic, working, episodic, procedural, and prospective memory.
- Identify the impact ofcommon challenges experienced after brain injury within the context of daily activities and self-management.
- Explain the role of compensatory strategies and environmental modifications in supporting memory.
- Apply practical tools and techniques to improve recall and organization in everyday life.
- Develop personalized approaches for clients or loved ones to enhance cognitive independence.
Speaker:
Jillian Bucolo is an occupational therapist and founder of Community & Home Independence Partners, LLC. Since graduating with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Stockton College in 2011, her primary focus has been on neurological rehabilitation, brain injury recovery, and cognitive therapy. Jillian has maintained the title of Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) through the Brain Injury Association of America since 2016, and she earned an Executive Certificate in Home Modification (ECHM) through USC’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in 2021, preparing her to guide clients in home safety decisions. Additionally, Jillian is certified to deliver LSVT-BIG intervention for treatment of Parkinson’s Disease, allowing her to support individuals from initial diagnosis throughout their life. Jillian has completed presentations through Bancroft NeuroRehab and BIANJ in the past on the topics of aging with brain injury, executive functioning, sexual health, and fall prevention.
Since founding Community & Home Independence Partners in 2023, Jillian has offered mobile in-home occupational therapy services to individuals and caregivers as they age and while they manage the long-term impact of neurological conditions, such as TBI, stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease. Her main priorities include improving safety, ensuring clients feel knowledgeable to confidently navigate diagnoses, and improving quality of life for both clients and caregivers by increasing opportunities to engage in meaningful activities. She is eager to share Community & Home Independence Partners’ unique services and looks forward to continuing to provide care to her local communities in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties.
