“I believe in prevention. I’ve seen the worst of the worst and now we’re seeing the long-term effects of concussion. Athletes may be physically tougher, but their brains aren’t.”

New BIAAZ Board Member Larry Niemann Shares Passion for Sports Medicine

In March 2020, Larry Niemann was named CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Scottsdale, AZ. In 2022, he joins the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona as a board member. Neither of these announcements come as a surprise to anyone who knows the operations maven.

Larry’s commitment to delivering world-class patient care began in the heartland of America. This native of Sidney, Nebraska (two hours outside of Denver) studied psychology and computer science at The University of Nebraska at Kearney before transferring to UN – Lincoln; he was fascinated by the burgeoning intersection of both fields.

Upon graduation, Larry landed a computer science position in hospital health care. Within 11 years, he was leading the team responsible for innovating delivery services, particularly in acute hospital operations.

This led directly to his new challenge – as Project Director, he oversaw the building of Lakeside Hospital on the west side of Omaha. “I loved everything that went into the operation of health care and was thrilled to be able to use that knowledge and create a new hospital from the ground up,” he says.

Larry then became COO of Lakeside, as well as Midland Hospital, which was part of CHI Health, having recently merged with Dignity Health. As he continued to improve the operations of both hospitals, Larry began to realize that after 24 years in the same city and the same organization, he was becoming comfortable. As he puts it, “I was uncomfortable being so comfortable.”

So, he decided to try something new and in 2013 moved to Phoenix to become CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Mesa. He loved the new work with survivors of all types of brain injury, including stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Larry did return to Nebraska for a short period of time to care for his family members. As Director of Rehabilitation for CHI Health, he oversaw their inpatient rehabilitation hospital as well as their 16 outpatient clinics, two wellness centers, and a sports medicine program.

Another passion project included the sports medicine program he had integrated into 16 area high schools. Recalling the initiative’s success, Larry shares, “We placed athletic trainers in the high schools, working with our team consisting of an orthopedist, neurologists, a physiatrist, and physical therapists. This phenomenal program also incorporated physicians at games, so we could catch the onset of concussions early. We also had beginning-of-the-year physicals as part of our baseline studies.”

The goal was prevention of sports-related brain injuries and development of concussion protocol, and it received a great deal of attention. “We had a lot of enthusiasm and participation from trainers who would work closely with our physical therapists, and subsequently, the high school coaches, administration, and families,” Larry elaborates.

The program was also designed to turn the schools’ trainers, coaches, and principals into advocates by identifying the short-and-long-term effects. Says Larry, “I believe in prevention. I’ve seen the worst of the worst and now we’re seeing the long-term effects of concussion. Athletes may be physically tougher, but their brains aren’t.”

After this three-year stint, he returned to Phoenix, this time as CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Scottsdale, ready to lead day-to-day operations and facilitate recovery for individuals recuperating from debilitating illness and injury. Larry and his team are currently developing a brain injury certification program through the Joint Commission.

“One thing I have learned is that one size does not fit all,” shares Larry. “Real-time intervention is the key to turning the survivor into a thriver. And it all begins with the ability to demonstrate what prevention looks like.”

In his new role with the Brain Injury of Alliance, he believes he has found the perfect platform for promoting prevention, outreach, and education. “We’re approaching the next frontier of patient care, especially with sports medicine programs,” he emphasizes. “It’s important that we get this right.”

Carrie Collins-Fadell, CEO of the Brain Injury Alliance, is delighted Larry is joining the board. “He understands the importance of supports as well as what it takes to deliver services efficiently,” she says. “What’s more, his experience and insights into the field of caring for those with brain injury can only help us improve upon our programs and reach statewide.”

Much of Larry’s passion for helping those with sports-related brain injuries is his own history with athletics. A former football, basketball, and baseball player, as well as a track & field runner, he knows on a personal level both the benefits and risks of sports. Today, he is still an athlete – cycling, running, even pole vaulting in the Senior Olympics.

“I understand the mindset of the athlete. My knees are shot, but I just keep going. Now if only I could get meniscus to grow back like neural pathways…” he laments good-naturedly.

Larry and his wife live in Chandler; between them, they have four daughters and a grandson.

ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.

What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona:

• Works with Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
• Houses Arizona Brain Health Resource Center
• Hosts Statewide Opioid Use Disorder & Cognitive Impairment Workgroup
• Has Statewide Opioid Use Disorder & Cognitive Impairment Response team with peer support, training, and family wraparound services
• Facilitates Brain Health Advisory Council
• Manages statewide Neuro Info-Line: 888-500-9165