Each October at our Annual Meeting, the Association presents three awards that were established by the Brain Injury Association of America. These are the James and Sarah Brady Award for Public Service, the Silvio O. Conte Award for Public Awareness and Education, and the Founders Award for Volunteer Service. The Annual Awards are just one way we recognize people for their outstanding contributions to the field of brain injury and to our mission.
James and Sarah Brady Award for Public Service
The 2009 winner of the James and Sarah Brady Award for Public Service is Pamela Fischer. She has been at the forefront in advocating and supporting safety programs that are new and innovative and have helped to save lives and prevent life-long disabilities across all age groups. Pam is the very exceptional and dynamic Director for the Division of Highway Traffic Safety and has been an influential safety advocate for over twenty years. Ms. Fischer through her work at the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, has been a staunch supporter of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey ‘s wide ranging prevention programs. She has been a true champion and articulate spokesperson for injury prevention and has been instrumental in increasing the public’s awareness and support of this national health care concern.
Past Recipients
2008 - Debbie McWilliams and the Timothy C. McWilliams Foundation (Timbo Fund)
2007 - Mary Rider
2006 – William A.B. Ditto
Silvio O. Conte Award for Public Awareness and Education
The 2009 recipients of the Silvio O. Conte Award for Public Awareness and Education are Gary Conger, Will Darche, Jaraun Wright, and Diego Ortiz, all from Morristown. These four young men helped to raise national awareness of brain injury by riding their bikes across country. In 2004, shortly after graduation from West Orange High School, Gary Conger was involved in a devastating car crash and sustained a traumatic brain injury. For Gary the bike ride was an opportunity that helped to justify his recovery and to prove to himself and to others that resiliency can overcome any obstacle. The young men, in addition to touching the minds and hearts of thousands, also raised funds for the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey.
Past Recipients
2008 - The Children and Adolescents Committee of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey
2007 - Dr. Joanne Azulay, Dr. Bradford J. Ross, Sam Bayoumy, Steven Benvenisti, Esq., Dr. George Carnevale, Georgianna Dodd, Nina Geier, Sharon Gola, Dianne Simmons-Grab, Roy Lippin, Angel McLaughlin, Gary Mabie, Lois Mishkin, and Rita Yohalem
2006 – Concussion in Sports Committee: Robert Baly, Dr. Jill Brooks, Ronald J. Czajkowski, Mike Finkelstein, Nina Geier, Gregg S. Heinzmann, Phil Hossler, Dr. Stephen Rice, and Dr. Ronald C. Savage
Founders Award for Volunteer Service
The 2009 Founders Award for Volunteer Service was awarded to Lorraine Adawi and Nancy Sommerville from Rehabilitation Specialists in Fair Lawn. Lorraine and Nancy have been instrumental in expanding the Walk for Thought / Cycle for Safety event to the northern part of the state. Their conscientious attitude and committment to brain injury has helped to raise additional support for the services of the Association and increased awareness of both the Association and brain injury among the larger community
Past Recipients
2008 - Michael Barnes
2007 - Chris Wade
2006 – Affiliated Support Group Leaders: Dr. Juan Carlos Arango, Dr. Carl Bradford, Virgilio Carabello, Lisa R. Cohen, Betty Collins, Erin Daly, Vince Diorio, David DiPaolo, Peggy DiTammaso, Vicky Hardy, Rachel Jacobowitz, Katie Kelly, Pam Lightfoot, Mary Liz McNamara, Dr. Mark Rader, Nutan Ravani, David Searles, Lisa Umina, Carolyn Weil, Olivia Williams, Dr. Beth Millstein Wish, and Dr. Chris Wolf
2005 – Vince Diorio
Make A Nomination
If you know someone deserving of one of our Annual Awards, please take the time to nominate them. The deadline is September 1 every year.