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About Us

The Brain Injury Foundation of Saint Louis has been the collective dream of many professionals and students in the brain injury field since 2008. Despite the enthusiasm and passion of the originating members, BIFSTL development took a backseat to other pursuits within the brain injury community. The first efforts to convene a Board of Directors and Officers occurred in 2011 based upon the Clubhouse model of rehabilitation that has been used successfully with individuals who live with mental illness. BIFSTL is based on the vision and philosophy of "jobs first” and “community involvement” with the long term goal of using the Clubhouse Model to support individuals with brain injury. With renewed enthusiasm to serve those who have experienced brain injury, BIFSTL originators formed a new team in Spring of 2016. In addition to the direct services being provided, BIFSTL looks forward to offering Restaurant/Transitional Employment and St. Louis Brain Injury Clubhouse in the future.

The BIFSTL Mission

It is the mission of The Brain Injury Foundation of Saint Louis to provide innovative community based solutions to meet the specific social and vocational needs of individuals with brain injuries.

Patricia Nance M.A. CCC-SLP
Chief Executive Officer
Current supervisor of Outpatient Rehabilitation at Mercy, original developer of BIFSTL mission in 2008, many years dedicated to the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals with brain injury.
Sarah Davis, CBIST
Director of Employment Services
Veteran public school teacher pioneering innovative inclusion approaches for children of all abilities. Vocational Evaluator, job developer and director of Brain Injury Vocational and Community Services. Has devoted the last 6 years to working only with individuals who have brain injury.

Hillel Goldstein, PsyD, LPC
Brain Injury Psychotherapist
Earned his Doctor of Psychology in clinical psychology from Adler University, Chicago; Master of Science in experimental psychopathology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison; and Master of Arts in social psychology from Princeton University.

More Information on Services Provided

Paula Carney
Chief Business Officer
Joined BIFSTL in 2017 as the Business Manager. Has a background in corporate accounting. Improved accountability and transparency in the accounting and finance practices. Appointed as the Chief Business Officer in 2018.

Our Governing Board

Patricia Carroll
Board of Directors President: Retired Service Coordinator for Missouri DHSS Adult Brain Injury Program

Joe Kramer, Vice President: Superintendent at Kadean Construction in Fenton, MO

Kurt Steinmetz, Treasurer: Charter Communications Sales Specialist

Dina McPherson, Recording Secretary

Vicki Custer, Co-Owner of Big T’s Hauling & Asphalt Maintenance in St. Charles, MO

John McDuffy, Retired Property Analyst at AltaSource

Helen McDuffy, Orthodontic Assistant at Water Tower Dental

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