Dennis Benigno has just been named as the executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Traumatic Brain Injury Research. The commission, which is under the state Department of Health and Senior Services, was created in January 2004 and is funded by a $1 surcharge on all motor vehicle violations in the state. Mr. Benigno has been an advocate for brain-injury programs for the past 20 years. He will lead a panel of 11 doctors, scientists and other advocates who will review applications for funding brain injury research. The commission will have an annual budget of $3 million to $4 million, 90 to 95 percent of which will be granted to scientists seeking ways to heal brain injuries. This is a great program for the State of New Jersey especially in light of President Bush’s 2006 budget which has cut funding for brain injury programs. You can read more about Dennis Benigno and the New Jersey Commission on Traumatic Brain Injury Research here.
