44th Annual SCI Model Systems Therapy Leadership Forum

To view an agenda and more details, please visit www.scimodelsystems.com

When: October 16-19, 2024

Where: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab 355 E Erie St. Chicago, IL 60611. 10th Floor Auditoriums. 

Forum Introduction: Annual SCI Model Systems Therapy Leadership Forum is a collaborative meeting of current and former SCI Model Systems centers designated by NIDILRR. There are currently 18 centers with the SCI Model Systems designation. Each of these centers operates as either for profit or not for profit institutions. The Annual Model Systems Therapy Leadership Forum will welcome two therapists (three if space allows) from each SCI center. These therapists are active leaders at their SCI centers who are responsible for varied clinical and operational duties.

Forum Description: This conference provides an opportunity for representatives from each Spinal Cord Injury Model System program to collaborate and be educated on a variety of spinal cord injury topics.  Information includes but is not limited to adaptive equipment, seating systems, spasticity management, bowel and bladder issues, accessible transportation, home modifications, universal design, pressure injury management, technology, aging with a spinal cord injury, parenting adaptations, vocational training, insurance reimbursement, adaptive sports, and fitness.  Didactic lecture, breakout sessions, and open discussions are the primary means to share pertinent information during the Forum.  

Forum Objectives:

•  To maintain an ongoing forum for exchange of operational and clinical education between therapists who are affiliated with the specialized care of individuals with spinal cord injury within the Model System centers.
• To present current topics relevant to spinal cord injury in an atmosphere that encourages both formal learning and an active interchange of ideas.
• To review and critique presently available equipment and products.
• To identify, review, and update present research efforts; to provide a forum for collaboration on research.
• To provide a forum for networking with colleagues.

Accommodations: Aloft Chicago Mag Mile 243 E Ontario St. Chicago, IL 60611

The conference site is wheelchair accessible. Accessible materials, sign language interpretation and personal assistance are available with advance notice. Contact scimodelsystems@gmail.com if you require any accommodations at least 30 days prior to the event.

Cancellations: All cancellations must be requested by email at scimodelsystems@gmail.com. Refunds, less a 20% administrative charge will be given until 30 days before the start date of the event. If the cancellation notice is received less than 30 days from the start date of the forum, a credit towards the 2025 SCI Model Systems Leadership Forum would be applied. The organizers reserve the right to cancel or change any programs for due cause. The cancellation of a program by the host site will result in a full refund of the registration fee.