Theresa Rankin

The 2001 Distinguished Achievement was awarded to Theresa Rankin, who sustained a brain injury in 1977 as a passenger in a motor vehicle, but did not begin to receive comprehensive evaluation or rehabilitation services until 1986.She was then able to return to school to complete her bachelor's degree in Social Science and Environmental studies.She has dedicated much of her time to speaking about brain injury, and is the co-founder of the Mid-Atlantic Traumatic Brain injury Consortium.She has been a guest lecturer for graduate and doctoral programs at George Washington University, University of Virginia, and the University of Maryland School of Law.She has served as a consultant in the production of documentaries, and serves as a champion in the fight to prevent others from experiencing traumatic brain injury.