TBI/SCI Trust Fund Advisory Council

A ten-member advisory Council provides advice and expertise to the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services in the preparation, implementation and periodic review of the TBI/SCI Trust Fund Program. The composition of the Advisory Council was designated by legislation to include the following:

• A physician with expertise in areas related to the care and rehabilitation of individuals with spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries,
• A professional in a clinical rehabilitation setting,
• A representative designated by the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi,
• A representative designated by the Mississippi Paralysis Association,
• Three individuals with spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries, and
• Three family members of individuals with traumatic spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries.

Current Advisory Council members include:

Dr. Edward Manning, Chairperson, Psychologist (Professional in Clinical Rehabilitation Setting) – Dr. Manning is a faculty member (Professor) in the Department of Neurology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has worked extensively in the assessment and treatment of neurobehavioral aspects of brain injury. He is active in the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi and is past president of the association. He is a active member of a number of national professional associations in the fields of Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology.

Dr. Howard Katz, Physiatrist, Brain Injury Specialist (Designee of the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi) – Dr. Katz has been chairman of the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi since its inception in 1989. In addition to his active involvement in organizations that promote services to individuals with brain injuries, he is well known for his individualized patient care. He works closely with brain and spinal cord injury survivors and their families to maximize independence and provide long term medical care management.

Dr. Gustavo Luzardo, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery (Physician with expertise in areas of traumatic brain injuries/spinal cord injuries) - Dr. Luzardo completed his residency in Neurosurgery and fellowship on Endovascular Neurosurgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is on staff at the Department of Neurosurgery at University of Mississippi Health Care. Dr. Luzardo is actively involved in the care of victims of traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, including the treatment of complex spine reconstructions after devastating spinal column and spinal cord injuries.

Ms. Natalie Ellis, (Designee of the Mississippi Paralysis Association) – Ms. Ellis has been on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Paralysis Association since 1991 and currently serves as Executive Director. A spinal cord injury survivor since 1988, she is also Secretary on the Board of Directors for Living Independence For Everyone (LIFE) and actively involved in many community organizations.

Ms. Queen McGee, Family Member – Ms. McGee’s daughter, Shateca, is a traumatic brain injury survivor. At the age of 15, she sustained multiple injuries in a car accident that has affected the left side of her body. Presently, Shateca attends Belhaven College pursuing a degree in Art. Ms. McGee continues to be not only her daughter’s advocate, but also an advocate for all persons who have received a traumatic brain injury.

Ms. Terri Galloway, Family Member – Ms. Galloway’s daughter, Jill, sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident in 1998, and is now a student at Madison Central High School. Ms. Galloway has served on the TBI/SCI Advisory Council since 1999 and the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi since 2000. She has worked tirelessly in an effort to bring awareness to the various needs of brain injury survivors and their families.

Ms. Beverly Gilmer, Family Member – Ms. Gilmer’s son, Steve, was injured in a four-wheeler accident at the age of 17. Steve sustained a traumatic brain injury that has affected his hearing and resulted in severe headaches at times. Presently, Steve recently graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Mr. Cameron Stubbs, SCI Survivor - Mr. Stubbs currently works for the

Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services as an Outreach Coordinator. A spinal cord injury survivor since 2003, he works with multiple organizations advocating for the advancement of Mississippians with disabilities by being a board member of APSE and the ARC. As a SCI survivor and advocate, he engages the public with disability awareness presentations and motivational speaking to relay his message and story of living with a spinal cord injury to help support families in similar situations.

Ms. Nicole Marquez, SCI Survivor - Ms. Marquez is a dancer/actress who dreamed of performing on Broadway. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a major in theater and a minor in dance. By 2007, she had saved her money to make the move to New York. For nearly nine months, she lived the fast, exciting lifestyle of auditions. While following her dreams, Nicole had an unfortunate accident. She has overcome many obstacles and her positive attitude has proven that “you can’t stop this dancer”.