Brain Injury Advisory Council Members

Dr. Adrienne Bratcher, SLP.D, CCC-SLP, CBIST is the Department Chair for the Health and Human Services Department and Professor in the Communicative Disorders Program at Eastern New Mexico University. Her teaching and clinical interests include neurogenic language disorders of cognition/ Aphasia/Traumatic Brain Injury/Dementia, gerontology, and dysphagia. Dr. Bratcher’s professional and personal experience working with individuals with significant cognitive, swallowing, and oral motor disabilities, as well as the geriatric population, has driven her interest in these areas, as well as traumatic brain injury, counseling, and supervision. She is licensed as a speech-language pathologist in New Mexico and Texas and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language & Hearing Association. Dr. Bratcher is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer and finds joy in every cohort of CBIS trainees she has the privilege to teach. She is passionate about advocating for those who have life experiences with a brain injury, as she personally shares the experience within her own family.

Jason is a licensed attorney and has worked on briefing for the United States Supreme Court, the New Mexico Legislature, and on numerous federal and state evidence admissibility filings. He is also a member of the New Mexico Supreme Court Rules of Evidence Committee and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist who has written for legal publications, presented on science and the law at conferences around the world, and has taught at the University of New Mexico School of Law. As a Founder of MINDSET Integrated, Jason has helped develop efficient, scalable work products for the legal market and those clients suffering from brain injury.

Dr. Azulay is a fellowship-trained Neuropsychologist and research scientist. She is currently the Executive Director of Hyde Street Community Services and the Concussion and Migraine Clinic, SF, CA. Previously, she served as the Director of Neuropsychology Program Development for the United States Air Force at Travis AFB in California. Dr. Azulay continues to serve as an Advisory Council Member to the governor of New Mexico. She is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Medicine at Seton Hall University and a member of the Medical Advisory Board for BINA in New York. Dr. Azulay earned her Doctorate in Psychology from Seton Hall University and a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University.

NanDei McAnally is a multifaceted entrepreneur, teacher, and artist based in New Mexico. Her passion lies in fostering community bonds and connecting resources to support individuals with brain injuries.

Committed to sharing information and navigating systems, NanDei actively contributes to the Brain Injury Advisory Council, while her innovative installation art invites participants to co-create, embodying her ethos of spherical thinking and inclusive collaboration. NanDei has two brain injuries and maintains her humor and her purpose.

My goals in this term are:

• To attract people from every county to become aware of this committee and the nature of Brain Injury.
• Reaching out to radio, print, and press to let them know we’re here. Stimulating conversations in town hall settings as well as communication and connections.
• Becoming aware of current resources throughout the state such as therapies, and providers.

I was interviewed by the National Disability Institute of Resources for Entrepreneurs, view here:

• https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNSbzDS0UMNEBMDOE5wxQQj3GUUIjz9_LZxCSue

Al Benalli was raised in NM, originally from Jemez Pueblo, NM. Al has been a member of the board for over 10 years. Al attended Utah State University where he majored in Social Work with a minor in Gerontology. Al has four grown children with grandchildren.

Deborah Blackburn received a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from The University of The Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  She is a licensed esthetician who has been working in the Santa Fe Area since 2007. In 2023 she attended Lone Sorenson International Reflexology School; Lone Sorenson has been recognized 3 times by the Argentinian Government for her work with traumatic brain injury, spinal Injury and autism. Deborah has a 32-year-old son who is medicated for epilepsy since he was 14 years old. He is also recovering from a traumatic brain injury after medication toxicity during a seven week stay at 4 different hospitals in Denver Colorado.

Sandra Turner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing Behavioral Mental Health Care to diverse populations throughout New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.

Sandra Turner’s background consists of numerous years of experience in direct behavioral health care as a Clinical Social Worker Therapist in private practice, behavioral health provider with Department of Defense Air Force True North Clinical Lead, Presbyterian Medical Regional Hospital Outpatient Clinic, ICU, ER, Medical Social Worker, Hospice, and Prison Mental Health Clinic. Sandra managed staff with Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM in Behavioral Health Government programs as a Unit Manager, Senior Supervisor, and Leadership managing Government programs, School Social Worker, and Mental Health First Responder.

Sandra is licensed as a LCSW LISW in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.  She holds certifications as a Brain Injury Certified Specialist and Certified Grief Informed Professional.

Sandra Turner attended Eastern New Mexico University obtaining a dual BS in Psychology, Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She attended New Mexico Highlands University obtaining a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work.

Sandra Turner has served in leadership through Governor appointments to the New Mexico Board of Social Workers, New Mexico Highlands Board of Regents, and Brain Injury Advisory Council. She was selected to serve Association Social Work Board as the New Mexico Delegate, ASWB Standards and Regulations Committee, and currently serves on the ASWB Practice Analysis Task Force Clinical Committee.

Converting Limitations into Possibilities and Strength after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Hello, I am Nats, I enjoy seeing people smile, spending quality time with others, playing with my dog Scrappy, taking long walks while admiring nature, watching lawn tennis, soccer, baseball, track and field, gymnastics, and playing dominos. I experienced three concussions in three years, the last one left me dependent on others for almost everything, except breathing. I dealt with intense symptoms like headaches, dizziness, seizures, and fatigue. Although accepting help was hard, my family supported me through appointments and therapy.

Being face to face with overwhelming uncertainty, I once thought of giving up. I noticed a pit in my stomach and a phrase kept coming to mind: This is not the end; it can be a beginning, not just for you but also for others going through similar struggles. Since then, I committed to embracing support, self-love, and faith to rebuild my life curbing my limitations into possibilities and strength.

I chose to see my new abilities as a turn for the better as I walk my ABI journey. My goal is to inspire the community with resilience, positivity, and self-confidence, breaking through the mask of ‘I can’t’ to redefine independence and embrace new possibilities with ‘I can.’

With Gratitude,

Natalie U. Love (she, her)

I am an Artesia, New Mexico native. Graduated from New Mexico Military Institute-High School 1997, Junior College 1999. Attended New Mexico State University, received my Bachelor’s in Athletic Training. Went on to receive my Master’s degree in Education from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. I have been a certified athletic trainer since 2003, all my career has been at the Division I level. I have been with the NMSU Sports Medicine Department since 2007 and have been the Director of Sports Medicine since 2018. I have a wife, Deanna and two sons, Cillian and Lincoln.