“I’ve always followed my own path,” Dr. Sugerman admits. “I’m always looking for ways to provide improvements for patients.”

USBIA Board Member Dr. Sugerman Takes the Roads Less-Traveled

United States Brain Injury Alliance (USBIA) Board Member Dr. Michelle Sugerman is known for many things. Among these, she spearheaded the effort to enhance Utah’s Traumatic Brain Injury Fund by co-authoring an expansion bill to include Acquired Brain Injury resources to assist those without financial means.

Dr. Sugerman says, “I’m very proud of the work we do, especially what we have been able to accomplish with USMRI/RAYUS, making MRIs more affordable and accessible to everyone with a head injury.” Since MRIs offer essential prognostic information by identifying patients who could have poor long-term psychiatric and neurocognitive outcomes, Dr. Sugerman emphasizes that accurate diagnoses are the key improving a survivors’ quality of life. In 2017, she facilitated affordable cranial MRI availability for those in Utah on an ongoing basis.

These ongoing efforts are something Dr. Sugerman believes to be an integral part of her overall commitment to brain health. She has been a USBIA Board Member since 2016, with three years as Chair of the Governance Committee.

Expanding her professional horizon, this wife and mother of three is in rarified air as one of the few HIMS FAA-approved consulting psychologists in Utah and surrounding states. Dr. Sugerman’s examinations are designed to rapidly identify neurocognitive limitations or psychological factors, such as: changes in attention, immediate and short-term memory, visual perceptual functions, sequencing functions, logical problem solving, calculation skills, reaction time, simultaneous information processing abilities, and executive functions. Impairments to any of these abilities could prove dangerous to any aviator. The purpose of the examination is to assess any issues that may interfere with flight performance or flight training, or present a safety risk to crew, pilot, or passengers.

The intent of the examination has expanded for several reasons, including to ensure participants can look forward to a long, productive career, reduce the frequency of accidents, and develop predictors of successful training. Applied clinical psychology/neuropsychology and focused medicine are crucial to develop and maintain aircrew health and the safety of air operations.

In describing her efforts, Dr. Sugerman explains: “This two-day evaluation is intensive, but pilots are among the most motivated individuals I’ve known. They want to get back in the air as quickly as possible, and understand the safety of our national airspace must be the priority.”

But such a clinical practice has not been enough to satisfy this eager mind. In the Spring of 2022, Dr. Sugerman will be receiving her second graduate degree—this time from Harvard—in Industrial Organizational Psychology. “In 2019, it occurred to me that I could keep learning with an additional advanced degree from Harvard,” she shares, “and I figured, why not Harvard?”

It has never been easy to chart Dr. Sugerman’s career path. Growing up in Santa Barbara, California, she was a daily beachgoer and painfully timid. “I was so shy, I remember eating lunch by myself in the bathroom,” she recalls. To counteract her introversion, she became active in high school in speech, debate, tennis, and cheerleading.

While earning a B.S. in psychology and biochemistry from The University of Arizona, Michelle Sugerman became a professional ballerina. Even though dancing was her passion, science was her calling. Prior to completing a fellowship rotation within Dartmouth Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Sugerman began work with The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the United States National DNA Database, which has been created and maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Myriad Genetics. The platform is intended for the discovery and sequencing of disease-related genes.

At that time, Dr. Sugerman decided she wanted to join the FBI full-time. An interviewer at Quantico suggested a PhD would make her even more valuable to the organization. So she applied and completed a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. However, upon graduation, instead of joining the FBI, Dr. Sugerman opened a private practice–The Steinmann Institute, promoting mental health and wellness.

“I’ve always followed my own path,” Dr. Sugerman admits. “I’m always looking for ways to provide improvements for patients.”

Today, this enthusiast of chandeliers, Art Deco, and a sparkly wardrobe still manages to combine clinical drive, innovation, school, and family life; an ongoing balancing act that makes observers and friends alike wonder: Where does she get the energy to do it all, and so well?

Carrie Collins-Fadell, CEO of the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona and Chair of the USBIA Public Policy Committee, is among those who appreciates Dr. Sugerman’s drive. “The future growth of the USBIA and all brain injury organizations will depend on resources and volunteer power,” she says. “Busy professionals who give generously of their time, like Dr. Sugerman, can make a huge impact on the trajectory of the USBIA.”

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