CPAN Board Member Mike Dabbs Honored with Brain Injury Association of America Affiliate Leadership A

CPAN is proud to announce that Board Secretary Mike Dabbs has been awarded the Affiliate Leadership Award from the Brain Injury Association of America (BIA).  Dabbs is a longtime CPAN member and has taken a visible and vocal stance as CPAN’s spokesperson in our effort to defeat attempts to weaken Michigan’s model no‐fault law.

As president of the BIA of Michigan for the past 17 years, Dabbs has grown the organization from a starting budget $ 220,000 to more than $794,000 today. Mike’s leadership has helped BIA of Michigan foster strong relationships with the State of Michigan, guided the implementation of the HRSA TBI grant activities as Chair of the statewide TBI Council, and significantly strengthened the existing Michigan Brain Injury Providers Council which has now been emulated in other states. Dabbs also continues to work, as leader of the Heads First Coalition, with a statewide network of organizations and concerned citizens to fight the repeal of Michigan’s helmet law.  

Because of his deep commitment to TBI issues, Dabbs brought into BIA of Michigan, at a time when the issue was not yet generally accepted, a retired military officer to case manage and support our returning hero’s. This effort alone has gathered the attention of leadership in the U.S. Senate, the Department of Defense, Naval War College and staff members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

TBI survivors and family members know they can always come to Mike and that he is always willing to take the time to listen and take their concerns seriously. His staff sees the positive spirit and leadership he exudes every day, and he creates a work environment that makes it a joy for them to come to work.

Anyone who has ever heard Mike present knows his deep faith and compassion for what he is doing and CPAN is fortunate to have someone of Mike’s outstanding character as a member of our executive board.  Please take a moment to congratulate him for this national honor when you get a chance.