September 16–17, 2026 | CAMLS – University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
September 16–17, 2026 Tampa, FL
3rd Annual International Summit on Repetitive Brain Trauma
Two days. National experts. From Repeated Blast Exposure (RBE) in veterans to Repeated Head Impacts (RHI) in youth athletes — see who's speaking, when, and what they'll cover.
Summit Agenda
Explore two days of keynotes, panels and networking.
7:30–9:00 AM
Networking
9:00–9:10 AM
Opening
Welcome & Opening Remarks: A welcome address from our host, followed by opening remarks framing the summit's mission to advance brain health and suicide prevention.
Moez Limayem, President, University of South Florida and Bruce Parkman, Founder, The Mac Parkman Foundation
9:10–9:40 AM
Keynote
Keynote & Special Address: State Leadership in Veteran Care
Major General (Ret.) James S. “Hammer” Hartsell, Executive Director, Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
9:40–10:20 AM
Session
Neuropathology of Military Traumatic Brain Injury: Insights from the Department of War / Uniformed Services University Brain Tissue Repository
Dr. David Priemer
10:20–10:40 AM
Break
Coffee Break
10:40–11:20 AM
Session
The Many Ways to Prevent Head Impacts in Youth Sports
Dr. Gerard “Gerry” Gioia, PhD
11:20 AM–12:00 PM
Session
Program details and speaker announcement forthcoming.
Featured Presentation
12:00–1:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch
1:00–1:30 PM
Session
Beyond Youth Return to Play Legislation: Why School Accommodations Matter for Students Recovering from Brain Injuries
Melissa McCart
1:30–2:00 PM
Session
Brain Injury Screening for Veterans is Suicide Prevention
David Kracke
2:00–2:20 PM
Break
Break
2:20–3:00 PM
Session
mTBI in Youth: How Can We Do Better at Diagnosing and Treating?
Dr. Drew Nagele
3:00–3:40 PM
Session
Chronic Stress, Repetitive Brain Trauma, Psychedelic Medicine, and a Path Home for Veterans
Dr. Lynette Averill
3:40–4:20 PM
Session
The Florida Pilot Program & Ketamine-Assisted Therapy: A review of the historic FDVA partnership delivering a coordinated brain health model and measuring clinical recovery from Repetitive Blast Exposure.
Michael Hartford, Allen West & Complete Ketamine Solutions
4:20–4:40 PM
Closing
Founder's Closing Address: From Awareness to Recovery: Reflecting on the day's insights and the foundation's strategic vision for advancing veteran brain health, advocacy, and legislation.
Bruce Parkman, Founder, The Mac Parkman Foundation
4:40 PM Onwards
Networking
Tech Showcase / Innovation Mixer
7:30–9:00 AM
Networking
Registration, Breakfast & Networking
9:00–9:40 AM
Keynote
Keynote: Repeated Blast Exposure (RBE)
General (Ret.) Bryan P. Fenton, Former Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Drawing from his command of 70,000 Special Operations personnel, General Fenton discusses optimizing human performance and cognitive wellbeing on the front lines.
9:40–10:20 AM
Panel
Veteran Caregivers Panel — Caregiver Resources
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
10:20–11:00 AM
Keynote
Keynote: The Journey from Trauma to Purpose
Robert Gallery, College Football Hall of Fame Inductee & President, Athletes For Care Former NFL offensive lineman Robert Gallery shares his powerful personal experience navigating severe brain damage and his advocacy for innovative recovery approaches.
11:00–11:15 AM
Break
Morning Break
11:15–11:55 AM
Panel
No Single Path for Treatment: Navigating Brain Health Treatment, Recovery, and Support
Panel discussion with leaders from Operation BBQ, The HOW Foundation, ReCon, and Task Force Dagger A candid conversation on individualized pathways to recovery—bringing together clinical care, peer connection, practical resources, and sustained support for those navigating the complex realities of brain health.
12:00–1:00 PM
Lunch
Hosted Lunch Featuring Operation BBQ
A dedicated opportunity to connect with speakers, partners, and fellow attendees.
1:00–1:40 PM
Session
Program details and speaker announcement forthcoming.
Featured Presentation
1:40–2:20 PM
Session
The Future of Drone Warfare: Potential Brain and Polytrauma Rehabilitation Implications
Dr. Steven G. Scott
2:20–2:40 PM
Break
Coffee Break
2:40–3:20 PM
Session
Training Emotional Self-awareness for Psychological Health after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Dr. Dawn Neumann
3:20–3:50 PM
Closing
Founder's Closing Address: Turning Insight into Action
Bruce Parkman, Founder, The Mac Parkman Foundation A closing call to action reflecting on the summit’s key conversations and the shared commitment required to advance brain health, recovery, and lasting support for veterans, athletes, and families.
2026 Our Legacy, Leadership Sponsor
StopCTE joins the International Summit on Repetitive Brain Trauma in advancing education, collaboration,
and action addressing the long-term effects of repetitive brain injury.
2026 Speaker Faculty
2026 Speaker Faculty
A cross-sector lineup of clinicians, military leaders, researchers, and advocates shaping the future of brain health policy and practice.
Hear firsthand from leaders confronting the realities of repetitive brain trauma and advancing solutions for future generations.
Read Full Bio
General Bryan P. Fenton is a retired U.S. Army Four-Star General and career Special Forces officer.
He served as the 13th Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), overseeing the global Special Operations of the U.S. Department of Defense, with command of 70,000 Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Special Operations personnel.
A people-first leader, Bryan champions optimizing human performance through wellbeing initiatives across cognitive, physical, and behavioral health areas.
Prior to his role at USSOCOM, General Fenton was the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and served as the Senior Military Assistant (SMA) for two U.S. Secretaries of Defense. With years of military service, he commanded at every level of Special Operations, deploying multiple times to Afghanistan, Iraq, and numerous locations across the globe. General Fenton brings a wealth of experience in the acquisition and implementation of emerging technologies within the commercial and defense sectors. He is recognized for his expertise in strategic vision, organizational change management, and guiding transformation for large organizations. He currently serves as a Board Member for Duke University’s Fuqua Business School/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics (COLE).
An accomplished public speaker, he has presented at prominent forums including the Aspen Security Forum, the Reagan National Defense Forum, and the NFL Owner’s Conference Medical Performance Summit. General Fenton graduated from the University of Notre Dame and holds a master’s degree from the U.S. Army Command and Staff College.
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Robert Gallery is a distinguished former professional football player, 2023 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and now a passionate advocate for athlete mental health as President and Co-Founder of Athletes For Care.
After suffering severe brain damage from hundreds of concussions and battling alcohol dependency during his eight-season NFL career, Gallery found healing through ibogaine treatment. Today, he dedicates himself to supporting former athletes navigating life after sports, connecting them with resources for injuries, chronic pain and substance use recovery. His powerful personal journey and professional expertise make him a compelling advocate for innovative approaches to healing and recovery.
At the University of Iowa, Gallery transformed from a tight end into one of the most dominant offensive linemen in college history, earning unanimous All-American recognition and the 2003 Outland Trophy. Selected second overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, he played eight seasons professionally with the Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.
Behind the accolades, Gallery endured severe brain damage from hundreds of concussions throughout his career. This trauma, coupled with alcohol dependency, created significant challenges in his post-playing life. Four years ago, Gallery underwent ibogaine treatment — an experience he credits with saving his life and transforming his recovery journey.
Today, Gallery channels his personal experience into helping others through Athletes For Care, a foundation he co-founded to support former athletes with navigating life after sport. The organization connects individuals with resources for traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain management, and substance use recovery. His story stands as a powerful testament to the potential of innovative treatments for those struggling with TBI, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health issues.
A native of Masonville, Iowa, Gallery combines his elite athletic background with his education degree and profound personal recovery journey to offer unique insights on resilience, healing, and transformation. His experience transitioning from the challenges of post-career trauma to becoming an advocate for others provides valuable lessons applicable across professional domains.
Robert Gallery brings authentic expertise and compelling lived experience to his speaking engagements, delivering powerful content for audiences seeking to understand athlete health, innovate recovery approaches, and the journey from trauma to purpose.
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Retired Marine Corps Major General James S. “Hammer” Hartsell was appointed Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) by Gov. Ron DeSantis and unanimously approved by Florida’s three Cabinet Officers in 2021.
Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida’s nearly 1.4 million Veterans, FDVA operates a network of nine State Veterans’ Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect Veterans with their earned services, benefits, and support.
General Hartsell served in the U.S. Marine Corps with honor for 37 years of active and reserve duty, beginning as an enlisted Marine in 1981 and completing a distinguished and highly decorated military career as a Major General. Concurrent with his Reserve military career, General Hartsell completed a successful 22-year civilian career in the Healthcare Industry where he provided leadership in Marketing, Product Management, U.S. and Global Business Development, and Hospital Administration. He is a former elected president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA).
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David S. Priemer is an Anatomic Pathologist and Neuropathologist who is board-certified in both fields by the American Board of Pathology.
David serves as an Assistant Professor of Pathology at the Uniformed Services University F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine and as the Associate Director of the Department of Defense/Uniformed Services
University Brain Tissue Repository, a brain bank that collects, examines, preserves, and researches brains donated from deceased military service members, with a mission of studying military brain health.
Prior to joining the Uniformed Services University, David attended medical school
at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and received his M.D. in 2015. This was followed by pathology training at the Indiana University School of Medicine from 2015-2019. During his training, David developed special interests in neurodegenerative disease, traumatic brain injury, forensic neuropathology,
and general autopsy pathology. Following training, David served as junior attending faculty (instructor) in the Division of Autopsy at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Pathology.
This was during the academic year of 2019-2020, thus in the height of the COVID-19
pandemic, and David was active in performing many of the earliest comprehensive autopsies of COVID-19 victims in Maryland, if not the United States.
David has published a variety of peer-reviewed manuscripts in the fields of neuropathology,
autopsy pathology, and surgical pathology. He has presented numerous studies as poster and
podium presentations at national and international scientific meetings, and maintains active research interests in neuropathology (traumatic brain injury, neurodegeneration, forensic
neuropathology) and autopsy.
Finally, David is a committed pathology educator, with several years and more than 300 hours of formal teaching experience with medical and dental students in lecture, laboratory, small-group/discussion settings and covering material that runs the gamut of pathology in all of the
body systems.
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Dr. Gerard "Gerry" Gioia is an internationally recognized pediatric neuropsychologist and director of the Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program at Children's National Hospital, and a Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at George Washington University School of Medicine.
A leading voice in sports concussion, he has participated in the International Concussion in Sport Group consensus meetings and the American Academy of Neurology guideline panel, and is a past President of the Sports Neuropsychology Society.
He developed the widely used Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) tool and serves youth, high school, collegiate, and professional teams, including as team neuropsychologist for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and NHL’s Washington Capitals.
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Melissa McCart, Ed.D., is Director of the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training at the University of Oregon and a Research Assistant Professor.
She is a national and
international speaker and author on brain injury, return to school, educator training, and educational policy.
Dr. McCart earned her doctorate in Educational Methodology, Policy,
and Leadership, her master’s degree in behavioral disabilities, and administrator
licenses from the University of Oregon. Her professional background includes
experience as a special education teacher, behavior consultant, behavior specialist, and
school administrator.
Her work supports children, families, educators, and professionals
affected by traumatic brain injury.
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Dr. Drew Nagele is a Board Certified Rehabilitation Psychologist trained in
NeuroRehabilitation with a 40 year career in creating and running brain injury
rehabilitation programs for children, adolescents, and adults with acquired brain
injury.
He was a Co-Founder of 2 BIAA state brain injury Affiliates, in Pennsylvania
and Florida, and also serves part-time as a Surveyor for the Commission on
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (known as CARF).
He volunteers on the
Board of Governors of the Brain Injury Association of America's Academy for
Certification of Brain Injury Specialists (known as ACBIS) developing an advanced
practice certification in NeuroRehabilitation. Dr. Nagele is Co- Principal Investigator on 3 federal grants working with brain injury in schools, prisons, and NeuroResource Facilitation.
He is also a Clinical Professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (known as PCOM) where he teaches Neuropsychology, Neuropathology, and Cognitive Rehabilitation. Dr. Nagele
Co-Chairs the Pediatric and Adolescent Task Force of the American Congress of
Rehabilitation Medicine's Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group,
and is also a Fellow of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
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Gabriela Vieira, PA-C, CBIS-T is a board-certified Physician Assistant, Certified Brain
Injury Specialist Trainer, and UHMS-trained Advanced Hyperbaric Practitioner
specializing in traumatic brain injury (TBI), neurorehabilitation, and neurocognitive
health. She brings extensive clinical and leadership experience in developing
individualized, data-driven recovery pathways for complex neurological trauma and post-concussive conditions.
She practices in Tampa, FL at the Genesis Brain Institute and provides nonprofit service for HOW Foundation veterans and service members nationwide.
A retired U.S. Army Officer and former Combat Medic, Ms. Vieira previously trained in brain injury rehabilitation at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, served as Clinic Director at the AdventHealth Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Institute, and held the role of Vice President of the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado.
In addition to designing advanced neurorehabilitation and hyperbaric protocols for veterans nationwide, she has
trained more than 1,000 DoD and VA healthcare providers and service members on
evidence-based TBI assessment and management. She earned her M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies from Franklin Pierce University and is dedicated to patient-centered, objective neurotrauma care.
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Stan Hays is the CEO and co-founder of Operation BBQ Relief. A seasoned and
accomplished competitor on the barbecue circuit, Hays and fellow cofounder Will
Cleaver launched Operation BBQ Relief when a tornado swept through Joplin, Missouri, in May 2011.
Hays’s passion for barbecue and assisting those in distress culminated in creating Operation BBQ Relief, which has provided over 13 million meals in 42 states
plus the Bahamas and Jamaica. In 2017, Hays was recognized as a “Top 10 CNN Hero”
for his work with Operation BBQ Relief. OBR has also started their non-disaster
programs for first responders, veterans, active military members, their families as well
as families of the fallen using culinary therapy along with outdoor adventure to help
them cope and give them life skills that brings them together. In 2023 they launched
Camp OBR, a camp serving first responders, veterans, military members and their
families who are struggling with the service members; physical and emotional injuries.
Hays has participated in numerous sanctioned barbecue contests, earning two grand champion awards, four reserve champions, and several top 10 finishes.
He was runner-up in the 2015 season of Chopped: Grill Masters on Food Network and won Food Network Canada’s Firemasters in 2019. Hays is also a cookbook author. He co-authored two cookbooks: "Operation BBQ," released in 2019 and "Grilling with Golic
and Hays", co-authored with Mike Golic, Sr., which was released in mid-May 2022.
Operation BBQ Relief is one of the largest mass feeding organizations in the US,
providing hot, fresh meals in communities during their toughest times. Outside
disasters, we enrich heroes' lives every day.
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Patti Katter is an agent of change, lifelong nonprofit advocate, and CEO of The Black
Feather Foundation.
Based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida,
Patti began working with nonprofit organizations in the third grade and never stopped. Before becoming a military caregiver, she served as a police reservist in Saginaw, Michigan. She has also hosted podcasts and radio programs since 2007, dedicating nearly 20 years to amplifying veterans and others with stories that deserve to be heard.
She personally funds her work without compensation, reaching audiences through more than 200 streaming devices, 17 radio stations, and programming available in 17 languages.
Patti has been with her husband since 1995 and became his caregiver after he was
severely wounded in war in 2007. A Purple Heart recipient, he lives with a traumatic brain injury, seizures, and other lasting effects, along with injuries that required neck and extensive back surgery. When he was wounded, their children were 6, 9, and 12,
and Patti homeschooled them through years of hospitals, appointments, and recovery.
Now 26 and 30, her two younger children are back home and help provide invaluable
support. Patti speaks candidly about the effects caregiving has had on her career, finances, marriage, and emotional well-being, while remaining deeply thankful her husband came home when so many others did not.
She credits God with carrying her through every season and lives by what her father taught her: she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to, and failure is not an option.
She speaks English and is also fluent in typo.
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Helen Perry, APRN, FNP-C, ACNP-C, is a full time caregiver to her combat wounded husband, a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner and a veteran advocate focusing on the impact of TBI on veterans and families.
While serving as an infantry Marine in Afghanistan her husband Matthew was directly struck by three large blasts on the same day, resulting in a severe traumatic brain injury. While at the time he assumed
he was just lucky not to lose any arms or legs, the consequences of those head injuries would present themselves years later.
In total, during Matts 11 years of service and multiple combat tours, he suffered
dozens of concussive injuries, alongside hundreds of sub-concussive events. He went on to develop severe life-threatening seizures and post traumatic epilepsy, memory loss, intractable migraines,
worsening aphasia, balance disorders and in 2026 at the age of 41 was subsequently diagnosed with early onset dementia and suspected Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
A veteran herself, Helen became his full-time caregiver in 2014, when his condition began to worsen and the seizures left him in the ICU for multiple days. As an Army veteran and Nurse Practitioner, Helen has
an extensive background working with patients who have traumatic head injuries and knows firsthand the challenges that face caregivers, veterans and their families in navigating assistance for these
complex injuries.
Her work as a fellow and advocate has since focused on bringing awareness to the
medical complexity of blast induced traumatic brain injuries, CTE and early onset dementia in the veteran community, as well as advocating for better resources and support systems for families
navigating these injuries.
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Caira Benson, MFA, of Bartow, Florida, is a caregiver to her husband Eric. Eric deployed twice to Iraq between 2003 and 2007 as a combat engineer.
From blast exposures, chemical exposure,
and a parachute malfunction, he suffers from Traumatic Brain Injury, Encephalopathy,
degenerative neurological issues, degenerative back issues, seizures, migraines, loss of vision,
and other issues. It took almost 13 years for the VA to understand Eric’s case. During this period of time, Caira did not have the support she needed to care for her husband, which led to emotional, financial, and physical struggles.
Caira gave up her full-time career as non-profit director and adjunct college professor to care for her husband and their five children. As his caregiver, Caira helps Eric with activities of daily living, independent activities of daily living, and provides supervision, protection, and
instruction.
Eric’s complex medical care requires the coordination of multiple medical teams,
which Caira also handles. As his caregiver, Caira worked tirelessly to ensure that the Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provided Eric the diagnosis and treatment he needed.
The struggle to get Eric appropriate care made Caira realize he was not alone, and she has spent the last 17 years advocating for better care and improved situations for our nation’s veterans and their families. She grew her advocacy to a national level and became an Elizabeth Dole Fellow in
2019.
Her research and policy nerd tendencies fueled her advocacy efforts with both the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Caira’s expertise in these fields enabled her to write and give multiple congressional testimonies, build congressional relationships, help VAMCs build new
program constructs, and earn an appointment to the Federal Veterans’ Family, Caregiver, and Survivor Advisory Committee in 2023.
When she’s not advocating for families like hers, Caira enjoys time with her husband and her family. She tries to honor their love of traveling as much as she can, even though it takes a bit more to get around these days. In her downtime, she can be found reading, visiting Disney, or running.
Who Should Attend
Brain Health Advocates • Scientists & Clinicians • Military & Veteran Families • Policymakers & Legislative
Leaders • Athletic Coaches & Trainers • Educators & School Administrators • Youth Sports Organizations •
Survivor Families
This Is Not a Conference.
It Is a Working Summit.
The International Summit on Repetitive Brain Trauma convenes leading researchers, clinicians, policymakers, veteran advocates, youth sports leaders, and families working to address the long-term consequences of repetitive brain injury.
The Summit program is curated to ensure high-level, evidence-informed dialogue across disciplines.
Building on two impactful years, the 2026 Summit will once again serve as a cross-sector platform where science meets lived experience — and where research translates into practical, measurable change.
From Repetitive Head Impacts (RHI) in youth athletics to Repeated Blast Exposure (RBE) in military service, this event advances the national conversation on prevention, diagnosis, treatment innovation, and systems reform.
This is not simply a conference.
It is a working summit focused on moving awareness into action.
get connected.
Get Involved.
Join a growing community committed to protecting brains and preserving futures.
Who Should Attend
Designed for decision-makers, practitioners, researchers, and advocates shaping the future of brain health.
If your work intersects with brain injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, or policy — this summit is for you.
Brain Health Advocates
Scientists & Clinicians
Military & Veteran Families
Policymakers & Legislative Leaders
Athletic Coaches & Trainers
Educators & School Administrators
Youth Sports Organizations
Survivor Families