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2023 SESSION

23106455D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 378
Offered February 20, 2023
Commending Anne McDonnell.
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Patron-- McClellan
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WHEREAS, in the spring of 2023, Anne McDonnell is stepping down from her position as executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia after 17 years of outstanding leadership; and

WHEREAS, the Brain Injury Association of Virginia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury by advancing education, awareness, support, treatment, and research; and

WHEREAS, Anne McDonnell graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and provided rehabilitation services to brain injury patients for 16 years as an occupational therapist at Sheltering Arms Hospital; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Anne McDonnell became involved with the Brain Injury Association of Virginia as a camp counselor at Camp Bruce McCoy, a nationally recognized residential summer camp and respite program for adult survivors of brain injury and their family members or caregivers; she was later promoted to camp program director; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, Anne McDonnell became the special projects director at the Brain Injury Association of Virginia and developed five regional resource centers to support brain injury survivors locally; and

WHEREAS, since 2006, Anne McDonnell has served as executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, advocating for expanded resources and funding to help vulnerable people in Virginia gain access to community-based services; and

WHEREAS, Anne McDonnell’s efforts have resulted in the Brain Injury Association of Virginia becoming the preeminent brain injury advocacy organization in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in the last 17 years, Anne McDonnell has managed $9.7 million in grants, contracts, and donations; helped Virginia receive $4 million through the federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act; and was instrumental in other legislative victories, including the creation of the Traumatic Brain Injury Registry, the establishment of the Return to Learn Protocol for students, the creation of crisis intervention training on brain injury, and the update to the definition of “brain injury” in the Code of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Anne McDonnell’s efforts with the Brain Injury Association of Virginia have improved the lives of all those affected by brain injury in Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Anne McDonnell for her 39 years of service to the brain injury community of Virginia on the occasion of her retirement as executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Anne McDonnell as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her achievements on behalf of people with brain injuries and their families.