Five Arcadia University students from the College of Health Sciences teamed up to raise funds for the Mind Your Brain Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness and support for individuals impacted by traumatic brain injuries. 

Surbhi Patel ’28, Alyssa Jeremiah ’28, Madison Hughes ’28, Dylan Snyder ’28, and Christina DiCriscio ’28, in partnership with other regional institutions, raised $128,046 during the monthlong National Brain Injury Awareness Champions event.

“The Mind Your Brain Foundation is doing work that truly matters and I feel so grateful to have been a small part of it,” Patel said. “As a pre-PA student, many of the topics I learn in classes are theoretical, such as genetics and clinical processes. Being involved with the foundation gave me the opportunity to understand what patient-centered care actually looks like in practice.”

The Arcadia team used a variety of methods to raise money, including social media and word of mouth. On social media, each team member took a turn sharing their reasons for supporting the foundation as a way to drum up interest for the fundraiser.

“I was really intrigued by this project because my father had brain cancer,” DiCriscio said as to the reason why she wanted to participate. “I have experienced first-hand the hope, light, and joy that organizations like the Mind Your Brain Foundation can bring to families of those affected. I adore this project and look forward to future involvement with them.”

The funds raised gives the Mind Your Brain Foundation the opportunity to connect traumatic brain injury survivors and their families with world-class medical experts, free-of-charge, in order to navigate the complexities of recovery. The foundation also provides direct financial assistance for critical needs like rehab co-pays, specialized medical equipment, and essential transportation. 

“Working with the Mind Your Brain Foundation gave me a whole new perspective on the challenges that individuals with traumatic brain injuries face every day,” Hughes said. “It was really meaningful to me, knowing that no matter the kind of contribution, big or small, it was going to make a positive impact on someone’s life.”

Arcadia’s connection to the Mind your Brain Foundation runs through Prof. Sophie M. Farley ’26MPH, an assistant professor of practice in the Physician Assistant program. Farley completed an internship program with the organization as part of the Master of Public Health curriculum, and knew that she wanted to bring the foundation’s work and the opportunity to raise funds for the cause back to Arcadia. She worked with Dr. Samantha Balistreri, an assistant professor of practice and the program director of Health Sciences, to put out a call out to students for volunteers.

“This past fall, I was seeking an opportunity that was meaningful in public health, while also building on my clinical experience as a PA in neurosurgery,” Farley explained. “Through that search, I was fortunate to connect with the Mind Your Brain Foundation. Since then, I’ve continued my involvement and now serve as a board member.”

Patel, Jeremiah, Hughes, Snyder, and Dicriscio were not the only students who benefited from Arcadia’s connection to the Mind Your Brain Foundation. 

Because the organization’s mission aligns closely to topics Farley teaches in the PA program, she, along with PA Program Director Dr. Erin Wolf, invited Mind Your Brain Foundation founder and traumatic brain injury survivor Candace Gantt and Eileen Maloney-Wilensky, the organization’s program director, to share their personal experiences and perspectives with students in the PA program.

“Candace and Eileen offered our students meaningful insight that helped connect classroom learning with the patient experience,” Wolf said. “We are very grateful for their time and contributions, and look forward to welcoming them back annually for the benefit of all of the PA students.”

Farley serves on the Mind Your Brain Foundation’s Board of Directors, where she helps bridge the gap between acute medical intervention and long-term recovery. Additionally, Arcadia PA students volunteered at the Mind Your Brain @ Penn Medicine conference, further engaging with the organization and its mission.