Jill Schulman Community Pillar Award
The Jill Schulman Community Pillar Award recognizes individuals, employed in the brain injury field, who significantly contribute to the quality of life for people with brain injury and their caregivers and promote brain health through their volunteer service and support of the mission of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. The Award was renamed to honor Jill Schulman who passed away in May of 2011. During her 21 year tenure with the Alliance, Jill’s contributions, character, and unending passion embodied the spirit in which the Community Pillar Award was established.
2012 Recipients
Betty Collins
Betty Collins has been working in the field of brain injury for more than 30 years. A tenacious advocator, Betty goes above and beyond to make sure her patients’ needs are met and their rights are protected. She runs one of the largest affiliated brain injury support group in the state at Kessler Rehabilitation Institute which meets not once, but twice a month. Throughout her tenure at Kessler, Betty has molded hundreds of rehabilitation professionals by making it her business to teach them the value of teamwork, the meaning of advocacy, and how to empower their patients as they rebuild their lives.
Mary Sharlow-Galella
Mary Sharlow-Galella’s tenure in the field of brain injury spans over 25 years. Recognized by JFK Johnson Rehabilitation for her unwavering commitment, Mary provides brain injury education through support and encouragement to individuals with brain injury and their caregivers. Mary also volunteers as a staff supervisor for the Collaborative Experience Project, and serves on the Alliance’s Annual Seminar Committee where you can find her supporting clients, family members, and staff with brain injury rehabilitation. Her open approach encourages others to work to their best potential, and move past what they might have thought were the limits of their achievements.