Dr. Kelli Williams Gary knows how important and precious the human brain is. She is a survivor of brain injury, a researcher of the condition and is president-elect of the board of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, the commonwealth’s only state- wide brain injury support and advocacy group.

The Chicago native also teaches and conducts research related to brain injury in the College of Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. Gary says she’s “extremely excited” about her leadership role with the BIAV .

“I’ve been involved with BIAV since I moved to Richmond in 2005,” she says. “And as a person who has experienced a severe traumatic brain injury, it is near and dear to my heart to be at this level now where I can really influence some direction and guidance for a statewide organization.”

The BIAV was established in 1983 with a mission to “advance education, awareness, support, treatment and research to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury.” The organization helps through a variety of initiatives, including support groups, conferences, a residential summer camping and recreational experience for those with a brain injury and their caregivers and state and federal lobbying efforts.

Pushing past the severity of her injury sustained in 1990, Dr. Gary went on to earn degrees from Chicago State University, Columbia University and VCU. She now has more than two decades of clinical practice, over a decade of research, and nearly a decade of teaching experience in occupational therapy, helping people of all ages prevent or live better with injuries, illnesses and disabilities through daily activities.

She did work for brain injury associations in several states before joining the BIAV in 2005. She was a member of the board since 2014. She says she is inspired by how the organization operates, as well as the example set by executive director Anne McDonnell, staff and a committed board of directors. She wants to expand the organization’s capacity to help others during her tenure.

Among her priorities: Increasing the resources and outreach applied to the organization’s community efforts.

“Last year, we addressed the needs of more than 7,000 individuals affected by brain injury,” Dr. Gary says, “but we must expand our capacity.”

She also has her eye on achieving tenure in VCU’s Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, gaining a level of job security that would allow her to focus even more on her passion of helping those with brain injury.

“I want to influence change and improve the quality of life of those who experience brain injury,” Dr. Gary says. “I just hope that even when my time is over (on the board) that I will continue to do very big things for the association.”

Meet an advocate-leader and this week’s Personality, Dr. Kelli Williams Gary:

Occupation: Assistant professor, Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions.

What I do: Instruct and conduct research related to occupational therapy treatment, foundation of research methods, brain injury and health disparities in the College of Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University.

No. 1 volunteer position: President-elect of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia’s Board of Directors.

Immediate past president: Darcy Carroll.

When elected: November 2019.

Length of term: Two years.

Why I wanted to serve: I want to influence change and improve the quality of life of those who experience brain injury from a personal level or as a family member. I want to make a difference with education, awareness and service. I want to be involved from higher strategic levels in improving policies and strategies for those experiencing brain injury.

Date and place of birth: July 3 in Chicago.

Current residence: Richmond.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s in occupational therapy, Chicago State University; master’s in public health and master’s in post-professional occupational therapy, Columbia University; Ph.D. in health-related sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Family: Significant other, Charles H. Talley Jr.; step-daughter, Brittany C. Gary; sister, Kimberly Williams; and mother and stepfather, Mildred and Wesley Banks Jr.

Mission of Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV): To advance education, awareness, support, treatment and research to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury.

When and why I got involved with BIAV: I had a miraculous recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury sustained in August 1990 and I have done work for brain injury associations in New York, Illinois and Delaware. I am firmly situated in Virginia and want to help people in the Commonwealth with brain injury with some of the skills that I have learned.

How BIAV is involved in the community: We have educational conferences, webinars, presentations and workshops that are accessible to people in the community for free or at a very low price for those with the injury. We provide outreach and support to anyone who needs our help in the form of information and resource assistance and facilitated support groups, which have no financial requirements. We provide training for our support group leaders around the state so they are prepared to help others. We give formal and informal presentations to community-based organizations and to the general public and in collaboration with other brain injury organizations.

A brain injury is: Acquired brain injury occurs as a result of an internal situation that causes damage to the brain, such as a rupture of a blood vessel, lack of oxygen, infection, brain tumor, exposure to toxicity or other similar situations. A traumatic brain injury occurs as a result of an external force that causes damage to the brain, such as falls, a fractured skull from outside force, car accident, gunshot wound to the head and other similar situations.

An example of a mild brain injury: A concussion is a perfect example of a mild brain injury.

BIAV’s No. 1 challenge: To address the needs of all individuals with brain injury in Virginia.

How I plan to meet it: Last year, we addressed the needs of more than 7,000 individuals affected by brain injury. But we must expand our capacity through the maintenance and nurturing of an out- standing executive director, quality staff, more resources and outreach to the community.

BIAV’s biggest success: Camp Bruce McCoy is one of the most successful events spawned from BIAV. It has been in existence for almost three decades and is designed to provide an outstanding summer recreational program with the highest level of safety for individuals with brain injury. It is held at the Triple R Ranch in Chesapeake.

How I start the day: With reading of scripture and prayer to ground myself spiritually.

Quality I most admire in another person: Loyalty.

Three words that best describe me: Patience, perseverance and tenacity.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Gymnastics.

A quote that I am inspired by: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” — Marianne Williamson

A perfect day for me is: Somewhere on the beach relaxing in the sun.

Favorite pastime: Travel and exercise.

Best late-night snack: Gum- my bears.

How I unwind: In Bible class at Metropolitan Baptist Church.

At the top of my “to-do” is: Travel to West and East Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean.

Person who influenced me the most: My father, Roosevelt Williams, and mother, Mildred Banks.

Book that influenced me the most: “Native Son” by Richard Wright.

What I’m reading now: “To the Mountaintop: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Mission to Save America 1955-1968” by Stewart Burns.

Next goal: With BIAV: To fully assume the role as president of the board of directors and increase meeting the needs of individuals with brain injury in Virginia. Professional goal: Strategically position myself to receive tenure in 2023-24.