As a national leader in brain health advancement, and as the largest medical research organization in the country, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is excited to announce the convening of an unprecedented and diverse summit gathering of world-class brain health leadership and expertise.

Building on the extraordinary leadership and trailblazing efforts of a number of highly talented VA brain researchers, Brain Trust: Pathways to InnoVAtion will foster debate, as well as facilitate national, partnership-based solutions in the general areas of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This seminal event is designed to promote forward-thinking dialogue and innovative collaboration among private industry, national/professional sports organizations, the Federal government, innovators, scientists, athletes, clinicians, care-givers, and Veterans.

Through accelerated teamwork and partnering exercises, the event will boldly endeavor to identify critical brain health solutions in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and the reintegration of individuals stricken with, and affected by, the effects of mTBI and/or PTSD. Brain Trust is designed not only to serve Veterans and Servicemembers, but to ultimately serve Americans.

Beyond members of the VA community, we've confirmed participation in the event from sports commentator Bob Costas, General Peter Chiarelli (founder of One Mind, and the former Vice Chief of Staff of the Army), Briana Scurry (former U.S. Women’s Soccer Player), Jeanne Marie Laskas (author of the GQ article that generated the movie Concussion), Chris Nowinski (former professional wrestler, author, and founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation), Terry O’Neil (16-time Emmy award winner), representatives from the NFL Players Association, the NFL, the NCAA, DARPA, as well as many of the world’s brightest brain research scientists.

Day 1 (Apr 20) will be held in Washington DC, and commence at the National Press Club.

Day 2 (Apr 21) will take place at the IBM Center for the Business of Government – diagonally across the street from the National Press Club.

A complete agenda can be found here: Event Agenda.

Please continue to check back regularly for any updates made to the agenda.

If you are a company or organization that would like to partner with us to make the event a success, please email for more information.

Email

Below you will find a number of resources that provide detailed information about the event. Additional resources will be posted here as they become available. Please continue to check back regularly for these updates.

• Information on event locations and travel, to include flying, driving, public transportation, parking, and hotel accommodations: Brain Trust Travel and Hotel