About Us
Our Story
NEOBIF was formed to support survivors of brain injuries and their families through research, information and educational activities to increase public awareness regarding the prevention, care and treatment of brain injuries and to provide advocacy and support for survivors of brain injury and their families. NEOBIF is a relatively new entity but the individuals involved in the organization have worked together for many decades as part of the Summit County Traumatic Brain Injury Collaborative and as colleagues in the health care profession.
Our Mission
- Support survivors of brain injuries and their families through research, education and informational activities
- Increase public awareness regarding the prevention, care and treatment of brain injuries
- Provide advocacy and support for brain injury survivors and their families
How We Help
We Will Accomplish Our Mission By:
- Working collaboratively with social service agencies and charitable organizations to ensure survivors and their families are able to access services and support opportunities
- Providing educational opportunities for professionals in Northeast Ohio to increase their awareness and knowledge of best practices when providing services to survivors and their families
- Hosting an annual conference for survivors and their families to help them identify services and resources in their community and increase their knowledge and awareness of brain injury
- Offering resources in both the traditional paper format as well as electronically for survivors and family members in Northeast Ohio regarding information/education about brain injury and how to access needed services and emotional support
Officers and Directors
DeAnna Frye, Ph.D.
Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
DeAnna Frye, Ph.D.
President
and Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Frye is a neuropsychologist with over 24 years of service in Northeast Ohio working with survivors of brain injury and their families.
She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Heidelberg College and her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Counseling Psychology at The University of Akron.
Dr. Frye has been licensed to practice psychology in Ohio for the past 24 years. She currently works at Summit Center for Behavioral Sciences where her clinical practice is focused on neuropsychological evaluation and psychotherapy with individuals with neurological disorders.
She is a founding member and current chair of the Summit County Traumatic Brain Injury Collaborative.
Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Vice President
and Member of the Board of Directors
Ms. McGuire received her Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the Ohio State University, and her Master’s Degree in Health Sciences Education and Evaluation from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
She has over 40 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist, including serving as a Clinical Supervisor at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and as an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Walsh University.
Ms. McGuire is the Executive Director of Rehab Educators, a group of Occupational Therapists in Private Practice.
Pam Hunt, M.Ed
Mark Willis, J.D.
Mark Willis, J.D.
Pam Hunt, M.Ed
Treasurer
and Member of the Board of Directors
25 years of experience providing resources and service coordination for individuals with brain injury and cognitive disabilities
Ms. Hunt completed her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at Kent State University. She has worked in the area of information, resources, and service coordination for individuals with brain injury and cognitive disabilities throughout the past 25 years.
She is currently employed at the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a Program Manager in the area of Assessment and Transition to Community Employment.
Ms. Hunt began working with the Summit County Traumatic Brain Injury Collaborative in 1999 and is currently an active member and treasurer.
Mark Willis, J.D.
Mark Willis, J.D.
Mark Willis, J.D.
Mark Willis, J.D.
Member of the Board of Directors
Mark Willis is an attorney with over 30 years of legal practice representing injured victims many of those with brain injuries. He attained his Juris Doctorate from The University of Akron in 1987 and has dedicated his legal practice solely to the representation of injured people. He is licensed to practice law both in the State of Ohio and West Virginia as well as the corresponding Federal Courts. In addition Mark Willis is a state certified Firefighter and EMT and works part-time for the Village of Richfield Fire/Rescue Department.