Tabby’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Journey

Tabby has dedicated more than a decade to transforming lives as an occupational therapist specializing in traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation at a Level 1 trauma center. Her work spans evaluating and treating individuals with TBI, guiding families through uncertainty, and mentoring clinicians and students to strengthen the continuum of care.

She understands the profound challenges patients face such as cognitive impairment, sensory overload, emotional regulation difficulties, and the complexity of discharge planning. Through structured cognitive retraining, environmental modifications, caregiver education, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Tabby empowers patients to regain safety, independence, and meaningful engagement.

Her greatest lesson? Recovery is rarely linear. Every small gain matters, and consistent, compassionate support helps patients and families adapt and thrive. By honoring each person’s goals and pacing, she ensures care remains deeply patient-centered.

Beyond the bedside, Tabby advances TBI awareness through education, systems initiatives, and national presentations, including on partner-inflicted brain injury. Her mission is clear: to elevate clinical competence and advocate for self-directed lives, so every individual can reach their fullest potential.

What does Tabby think of the quality, usefulness, and user-friendliness of the MSKTC resources?

Tabby describes MSKTC resources as “high-quality, evidence-based, and packed with valuable information.” She appreciates that they’re easy to use and available in a variety of formats, making them accessible for different learning styles. The resources cover a wide range of topics, which she finds incredibly helpful for both patients and professionals. Tabby also highlights the MSKTC website as user-friendly and well-designed, making it simple to find and share the information that matters most.

Why does Tabby want to be an MSKTC ambassador?

Tabby is passionate about the MSKTC mission to provide clear, high-quality, and evidence-based information that helps people manage TBI, SCI, and burn injuries. She believes these resources are invaluable for caregivers, survivors, and healthcare professionals alike. By becoming an ambassador, Tabby hopes to amplify this education, connect more people to the tools they need, and ensure that every individual has access to knowledge that supports recovery and independence.

What has Tabby done as an MSKTC ambassador?

As an MSKTC Ambassador, Tabby actively integrates MSKTC resources into her daily practice. She shares handouts with survivors, families, and healthcare professionals to provide clear, evidence-based guidance. At educational presentations, she includes QR codes to make accessing resources quick and easy. Tabby also uses MSKTC reference lists to inform her literature reviews, ensuring her work stays grounded in the latest research. Through these efforts, she helps bridge knowledge gaps and empowers others with tools that support recovery and independence.