About Us
What We Do
The Mission:
Increase awareness and understanding of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, strengthen services and supports for those who have sustained injuries and their families and promote prevention to enhance quality of life.
The Council has four primary objectives:
- Develops plans for projects and programs focusing on client services, prevention, and education,
- Advises state agencies on the needs of people with spinal cord and brain injuries,
- Supports, sponsors, or collaborates to provide programs that assist people with spinal cord and brain injuries, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
- Serves as a resource for information about spinal cord and brain injuries.
The Arizona State Legislature created the Council in 1992.
Read our authorizing statute.
View our strategic plan.
The Arizona Governor’s Council on Spinal and Head Injuries works to enhance the health, safety, and quality of life for children and adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and their families.
Who Participates on the Council?
The Governor of Arizona appoints Council members. By law, they include:
- Individuals with spinal cord and head injuries and family members,
- Physicians and other healthcare professionals who work with people with spinal cord and brain injuries,
- Representatives of the general public,
- Representatives of the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
The Council is an advisory body, comprised of volunteers. Staff support is provided through the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Council Members
Tammy Abbott-Thiel
Allied Health
(Secretary)
Kristen Bishop
Physician
James Oliver-Bryan
Family Member/Survivor
Mary Lu Bushnell
Allied Health
Georg Hishaw
Physician
James Ledgewood
Family Member/Survivor
Jonathan Lifshitz
Allied Health
Tara Pepiton
Family Member
(Council Chair)
James Sieffert
Physician
(Council Vice Chair)
Keith Watt
Public Member
Evan Werk
Physician
Kay Wing
Family Member
Remaining vacancies: (1) Family Member, (2) Public Members & (1) Allied Health Member as of April 4th, 2022